And so, decision made.

Regular readers of the blog will have picked up my feeling that I should take the plunge and come to live in Rwanda for a year or so.  Hence my purchase of Little Sprout.  I was trying to decide whether to go north to Musanze to live or to stay in Kigali.  Eventually, whilst still pondering things began to move rapidly, Marcie found a delightful house and asked if I was interested in sharing so a week ago I went to look and decided immediately that this was it, decision made.  The house is a new build in a good area, 3 bedrooms, open plan living and kitchen, very well finished with nice showers etc....hot and cold running water!  So we've paid a year in advance and take possession next week.  It's unfurnished so we have to embark on a shopping spree.

I'm getting used to driving the Sprout and yesterday drove right into the city, but I couldn't get the windscreen wipers to work!  This morning I drove into Masaka and knowing JP, (my new best friend)  was learning how to drive asked if he could help....within minutes all sorted , and another young man gave Sprout a quick once over with a rag for 50 pence.  Not that it stays dust free for long with a continual procession of large yellow lorries carting earth up and down the dirt track.  I don't know what's being built.  Reminds me of the trucks moving rocks and earth when the Algarve to Lisbon toll was being built....once we counted over 20 trucks on the road from Boliqueime to Messines on a Wednesday morning.

Last weekend I went East and took the opportunity to visit Akagera on Saturday.  It was rather a day though as we saw hardly any animals or birds, but it's always a joy looking at the landscape.  The roads were very boggy and not easy to drive on , one safari vehicle got well stuck and it was all hands to the pump to pull it out.  As we were all out of our vehicles I did think it was an opportune moment for the lions to put in an appearance....but they didn't.

I was hoping to see some of the rhinos, my driver not as keen as they have a habit of charging at cars, I think their eyesight is poor and they see vehicles as large predators.

We did stop at one of the picnic sites by the lake to stretch our legs, suddenly spotted a lone male elephant walking towards us and munching acacia as he came.

He wasn't bothered by us and walked purposefully to the Lake.

 

A quick drink, a cooling shower

A paddle

A little swim as he went into a hole

 Then to the other side for some juicy elephant grass for lunch

Rather unfortunately at some time during the day  a bug bit or stung me.  I didn't feel it but my hand was very soon swollen and looking rather nasty, I'll spare you the pics.  Thankfully I removed my rings or I would have been in trouble!  So Sunday, back in Kigali I went to a Polyclinic and for £17 saw a Dr and got a prescription.  Apollo had joined Marcie and me for lunch at the Serena and came with me to the clinic and pharmacy....fucidin...very expensive!

Now hand ok but I've suffered nearly all the side effects of fucidin....so I have stopped taking them.  I know that's bad but I was feeling very unwell!

This evening we have a special Mass at the Priory to celebrate Sr Therese taking her vows 40 years ago, and of course it's Ascension Day.

Tomorrow another meeting with the Bishop to discuss what I shall be doing within the diocese, then shopping for the house with Marcie.  It's umuganda Saturday so I can have an easy morning before more shopping!   Then to the cathedral Sunday where my friends are dying to see me drive Little Sprout!    And, Rev. Manasseh has chosen my favourite hymns,not that he was aware of that.

So all for this week.  Hope to blog more regularly when at my house as have a stronger wifi signal.

A big day at the Priory

A strange week!   As I wasn't expecting to teach the novices this week I'd arranged to go away Monday after the afternoon class and return Tuesday to teach again at 3pm.  All arrangements made, so I went and caught up with friends.  Wednesday both classes watched Jungle Book which they thoroughly enjoyed, I had the novices write a synopsis of the story and they did very well.  Happily I retrieved my bank card on Thursday.

Friday was a dreadful night and day, I awoke to my bedroom floor under water and a lot of things needing dying out!  It rained and rained,.  Bosco collected me and took me into Kigali to sort out some official stuff, we were wallowing in mud until we reached the tarmac,  I wasn't teaching as all the inmates were busy getting ready for Saturday's 'do'.
On the way back we followed this cycle taxi, the passenger was sitting atop his packages which were on the seat!

This is thePriory

Following the heavy rain of Friday, the entrance was awash so Florence one of the novices was set to bailing out the water before all the visitors arrived for the service.

So three novices were making their vows and one sister was making her perpetual vows.  There were about ten priests present, a jolly crew!  The folk at Busasamana insisted that Marilyn and I wore traditional dress, it was rather over the top, more suited to a wedding really with lots of sequins and bling. Dative tied me up so tight I thought I might swoon like a Victorian miss.

The tents set up ready for the service.

And we all process.  The children at the front danced at various points in the service.

Here are the four about to make their vows.

The presiding priest protected from the sun.  Reminded me of the Raj, I was very pleased his umbrella was pink, needed some gold fringing though I think.

Novices being given their  white veils.

We were entertained by the children at the school....in the background...this school is funded and staffed by the sisters and other teachers.

So a very good day, good food and good wine to finish.  Then Bosco took me to my friend's house and we had a pleasant evening with a mission team.

FB folk will have seen that I drove for the first time in Kigali today.  It was OK being Sunday except I couldn't open the windows of the little Toyota RAV which I am calling Sprout!  It's small and green!  I was rather hot!  Tomorrow I must sort out the buttons...and move it as Sr Therese says I'm under an avocado tree and the falling fruit will damage it.  The local folk were astonished to see a woman driving, and white at that!

Monday, the morning class of novices are fighting to have a ride in Sprout...I said it's very expensive!

Little Sprout

I drove right into the city yesterday!   I set the novices an essay entitled Places I would like to visit and why.   I said be innovative think of the whole world and what it offers....I do not want you to say you want to visit Kigali.  Oh, said Flo, I was going to say I want to go to Kigali with you in Little Sprout!!!!

In the swing of things again

Tuesday 25th April

An interesting week.  Last Tuesday I was waiting for the transport to return from Busasamana and take me to Masaka.  At 8 o'clock when no-one knew where it was, I said forget it, I'm going to bed shortly and I'll get Bosco to pick me up the next morning.  Thank goodness, I had 11 bags!  It was much better unpacking in daylight.

Not enough room for everything of course, so a hasty visit to Nakumatt to buy a cheap shelf unit.  The novices were at another community so I just taught the sisters in the afternoons,. it's a different dynamic with a new group and you never know who is going to attend.  12 one day 3 the next.

Friday I was able to leave as soon as I finished, Bosco was very prompt and he drove me to Kigali, then off I went to Huye and Nyungwe looking for monkeys etc.  Back in time for evening service on Sunday then returned to Masaka.

It was quite an uneventful week really.  So back in the swing of things after the rest week and getting used to the new students.  Marilyn is very musical and was teaching the novices how to play the recorder, she gave me one with a swift lesson, but I haven´t a clue.  I´ll just sing enthusiastically.  Jubilate is challenging.  Olive a novice bursts into laughter when she looks at me.  So impossible to blow whilst laughing!  I said we'd get her a drum.

This coming weekend I'm heading north to the Virunga National Park to trek the Golden Monkeys.  I would love to do the gorillas again but it's so expensive.  Going to my favourite restaurant for lunch on Saturday with friends so I should have an enjoyable couple of days.

Monday the 8th May.
Goodness! Where did the weeks go?  I've been very remiss with the blog.

So a pleasant weekend in Musanze, I stayed in a B and B run by an English lady, it was so nice talking together....and breakfast....fried eggs on toast with HP sauce.  YUM.
Saturday was umuganda so had to stay in till midday, then to bank which retained my card!
Went to lunch with my new best friends which was very enjoyable.

Sunday, instead of trekking monkeys went to the caves, an experience not to be repeated.  It was pitch black, loose rocks on ground....very dodgy, steps up then down all the way with high risers, thank goodness 2 guides took hold of me.  We were kitted out and had to wear masks because of bats with rabies!  Naturally my glasses fogged up and I couldn't see a thing!  I was so tired I could hardly walk.

Monday was a holiday and I was told I didn´t have to teach.  Alleluia!! I could hardly move let alone engage brain.
So another week flew by, made more interesting by a couple of sorties into Kigali to try and find my bank card.  Eventually we tracked it down.  It was couriered from Musanze to Kigali, but the courier didn't empty the bag properly, and it went back to Musanze!  It should be in Kigali again tomorrow!  Thank goodness I have an alternative.

Spent the weekend with Marcie in Kigali, delicious meal at Java House at the new Kigali Heights opposite the Convention Centre and Radisson Blu.  And the new Simba supermarket there is fab.
Took Saturday easy except for a little church preparation, then in the evening went to the New Cactus with Katy and another great meal including chocolate icecream and squirty cream....and a litre of red!  So good!

Yesterday I took the service at Kanyinya Parish, unusual  for me to be on my own and I was grateful that Apollo could come with me to translate. 

The congregation have started making bricks to upgrade the 'All Saints`loo

 We had enormous plates-full for lunch at the German Butchers.  Apollo's first visit there and it won't be his last.
In the evening I shared duties at the cathedral, first time I've worked with a new staff member, we coped ok.

Then back again to the Priory and a pot noodle!

I was told on Friday that the Novices would be away this week, so I was surprised to see them this morning.  Apparently the person due to teach them religious nun stuff has gone to Rome!  Why is communication in the church so bad.  I was planning to get to grips with a few weeks lesson planning.  Anyway I managed to quickly get a lesson together so all is well.