Since the last post, we actually ventured out into Africa. We were all sitting around the apartment when we realized that we had to eat sometime and as we had very little food in the apartment this would mean eating out. In Rwanda there appear to be three ways of getting around; on foot, perched precariously on the back of a motorcycle taxi or stuffed into a "taxi" with 30 other people. The last two were not appealing and we were pretty tired so I got out the volunteer manual which mentioned that they had "heard" that the Green Corner was okay. Using our travel guide, I was actually able to figure out how to get there and so we all set off in the pitch black night. The main drag actually has street lights and was patrolled with a soldier on each block. We actually ran into someone that we had met at the tourist office who confirmed that we were on the right route and recommended the chicken. After some time we found the restaurant which was mostly open aired and not much different from the many roadside bars we had passed. A lady met us and in broken Franglais told us that there was no menu but we could have chicken or fish. We ordered the fish and asked for three orders. About 10 minutes someone came over and asked if we were sure we wanted three as they were quite large so we compromized on two fish with 3 sides of fries. After about what seemed like an hour and one reminder to our waitress the fish arrived. They were large Tilapia, grilled over charcoal, very spicy and excellent. Before and after the meal, someone would come over with a kettle of warm water, a basin and a bar of soap and we would wash our hands. After this we walked home.
We knew in order to walk to the hospital, we would have to get up fairly early so we set our alarm for 0540. We needent have bothered at 0530 two sets of church bells started chiming (this is Monday by the way). Apparently that is when life starts in Kigali.
We had a hectic walk to the hospital dogging around school children and people trying to go to work. It took a while at the hospital to find someone who knew where we were supposed to go but we arrived for morning report at 0715. Nobody remarked on our tardiness and they actually got up and gave us seats.
After a visit to Esperance who apparently runs the hospital and learning a new wrinkle in the licencing laws. It was time to start teaching. I must say Brady acquitted himself marvelously while I interjected the appropriate sage comment about every 15 minutes. The residents were very enthusiastic and we had no problem getting them to participate.
We had lunch at the hospital canteen which we had been warned against but which was actually pretty good. Dr. Theo who is the program director came down from Butare and joined us for lunch and stayed for the afternoon sessions.
We had half an hour before the afternoon sessions so whipped over to the Serena Hotel to buy a pool membership. Then it was more teaching. At 1600 Mary joined us at the Serena pool which was incredibly and joyfully frigidly cold. After a swim, airdrying by the pool and an incredible shower we walked home.
While Brady and I were educating, Mary had ventured into the local market and picked up some local produce and what she was told was beef which she had whipped into a miraculous creation (of course making sure it was all well cooked)
The Wife's View
I walked the boys to work making sure they didn't get lost on their way. Around 0900 I let Brian in his office and ran a few errands. I wanted to explore on my own without Brian navigating and was able to walk downtown resisting the temptation to take a motorbike taxi home.
I cannot believe how incredibly lucky we are in North America with things that we take for granted. Every morning we pass by a community of tin roofed clay houses with no plumbing (that means running water or toilets) They share a common well and an outhouse...of course no electricity.
The market was an interesting experience. There were tables of local fruits and veggies. There was a section of tailors sitting behind their Singer Treadle machines sewing away. Brian wants me to order a dashiki for him. I think I'll take an OR top and have them take the measurements from that for him. They can churn one out in an hour. The tradional woman's outfit is very colourful. They look so beautiful. I love the way the moms piggyback their babies.
Anyway, I had to order meat from the local butcher. He cut a slab of beef from a part of the cow that I didn't recognize. I had no idea what I was ordering, I just knew that it had to be cooked tonight and I was going to cook the "you know what" out of it. I tried to get a chicken but he replied "no chicken today" or something like that.
The boys ate it up with gusto...so far so good.
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