Another suitcase, another hall...to borrow words from Sir Tim Rice.

Yes, another bag packed and off I went for a jolly weekend.  I had another driver, Eric, a young tour guide, very knowledgeable and entertaining.   He took me to Musanze, previously called Ruhengeri, and both names are used on different signs so it gets a bit confusing.  Anyway, en-route to the hotel we went to MTN for some internet cards then to a supermarket.....well, a mini mini mini market, with very nice people and I stocked up with biscuits, coffee and coffee mate.  Then to an ATM for cash and to Tigo for their internet cards.

Eric the driver.

Arrived at the hotel, I don't think it's tourist season as I was shown immediately to my room , and of course plugged ipads in and started downloading.  I can't access iplayer anymore on the computer and I think it will be no go on the ipad in April.
It was lovely sunny and warm so out to sit by the pool for lunch, 3 tomatoes stuffed with shrimp in seafood sauce and of course some fries and a Primus.  Very nice.  Met an interesting NGO couple from Canada and we spent a very pleasant afternoon.

Later a soak in hot water and hairwash......oh dear only a tiny towel in the bathroom.  No answer when calling reception so I donned necessary clothing to preserve dignity and walked to reception, of course the chap was watching TV in the dining room.  It was amusing really as I´d had the students calling room service for towels and the like the day before.

A nice dinner and managed to Face Time Sarah, the first time this trip as the wifi is so poor.

Sunday, to the consecration service which my FB friends will have seen lasted 5 hours!  Much singing and dancing naturally, a half hour address from the Prime Minister, actually with a Christian message.  Other government ministers were also present.  Besides Archbishop Rwaje who would of course consecrate Sam, retired Archbishop Kolini was present and +John, the retired bishop of Shyira Diocese.  All 10 other bishops of Rwanda, 2 bishops from Uganda and 2 RC bishops....it was very colourful.  For the first part of the service Sam was dressed in his purple shirt and long white cassock, then after the consecration he was taken away by Bishops Louis and Emmanuel to be duly returned in full bishop's gear.  And then presented with his pectoral cross and hat. Quite strange headgear here, some with pompoms some without.  Sam's wife Jacky was very much included in the service, neeling before the Archbishop with Sam.  Their 3 young daughters sat as good as gold for the 5 hours.   At the end Sam and Jackie were presented with a car, loads of furniture and a lot of stuff for the kitchen....there is a new house, Bishop´s Lodge also.
A visiting C of E Bishop was in attendance, his wife was astonished at the gifts.....as was I.

L~R    Archbishop Rwaje, Sam, Jacky

Archbishop with Bishop Sam

St.Etienne Cathedral, (Kigali) Choir

Mothers Union members delivering the furniture.

So managed to meet up with a load of friends and have a natter, then back to Busasamana to another 24 hour electricity outage, (hate that word).

I guess that's probably sufficient for this post, now to upload some pics.  Nice to see my followers have increased.....how about some comments!



Oh, the volcano is very active this week, chucking red lava at the heavens with much abandonment.