One more step....

I little thought when I chose the song 'One more step along the world I go' at my retiring service from All Saints, that two and a half years later I would be taking yet more steps.  This week I opened a bank account in Kigali!  It's a very modern branch and you do everything via ipads as you go in.  Such fun!

Had a great day yesterday; Marilyn came down from Busasamana on Wednesday  so I was able to pick her up and drive into town.  I parked at the top of City Tower, in daylight, so good, and a guard directed me to reverse park!  Had to leave the windows open but that was ok.  Then to Kigali Heights to get our Ugandan shillings, light lunch at Java House followed by icecream from the Italian shop....yum!  Then to Masaka for the afternoon class, the sisters were delighted to see Marilyn again.   Then in the evening to our local Japanese restaurant and an excellent dinner.

I'm not teaching today so a nice relaxed day at home getting ready for the weekend away, also tarting up for the reception with the British High Commissioner this evening for Her Majesty's birthday......looking forward to a g and t or maybe a Pimms!

In the garden at the Residence

The Pimms, followed by  Hampshire sparkling white wine most enjoyable.  Nice eats also, fish and chips, scones and sticky toffee pudding to mention a few items.

23rd.June.
Another week flown by!
Last Saturday I collected Marilyn who had spent a few days in Kigali,  and took the road to get out of Kigali and head north, except it didn't and I ended up at the American Embassy!  So had to retrace steps and take another route....the main road is closed at present. Poor Marilyn had to read the map...I was dreading getting through the district I call 'little Bagdad'  but we actually managed to find our way....only took 1 hour!
So drove to Musanze in Northern Province making good time, and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon.   We asked for a cold beer and they took ages bringing it, but it was very good when it came.  After dinner, which was in a 'dry' establishment, we asked for an alcoholic beverage to be told they didn't sell it as it was a church owned hotel.  We realized then that the staff had gone out and bought bottles in the afterenoon and as we wanted cold had put them in the freezer.   Good service!
I had tried to open the bonnet of my car unsuccessfully to check the water etc and when pushing it shut the grill in front of the engine fell out!  Fortunately, as I drove it rested happily on the cowcatcher in front of Little Sprout. And our friend's mechanic fixed it for me.

Sunday morning up early and went to English service at the cathedral while Marilyn went to the RC cathedral, but we'd both been given the incorrect start times and had to leave halfway through as due to leave for Uganda at 8.30....only to learn Eric the driver going to be half hour late...we were not best pleased!

But it was a nice day and we enjoyed the drive to Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda, getting through immigration very quickly.  

First sight of Lake Bunyonyi

I always say when we cross from Portugal into Spain that everything appears different immediately and it's the same here as you leave Rwanda, houses, animals...lots more cattle in Uganda, and litter.....Rwanda is very very clean, the road from the border was excellent though, so a tick for Uganda there.  It took about 2 hours to get to the car park on the Lake, the last half hour on dirt road.

We parked and caught the motorised canoe to our resort, we had planned to paddle a canoe but that would takeat least 50 minutes and we were hungry and thirsty.  So enjoyed the boatride to Boonyi Amagara eco resort.  It was splendid; Marilyn and I shared a deluxe 'geodome' open on one side, we could lie in bed looking at the lake...it was great.   Eric our driver wasn't relaxed about it he was nervous of animals in the night!  
There were loads of birds around, wish I'd had binos, including several different humming birds.

More crested cranes foraging for grubs

Very thankful we decided not to paddle our own canoe!

One of the geodomes seen from the lake.

The eco shower and loo

The interior of our geodome

View from bed

The food was very good, staff excellent.  Someone in the resort had a very English sense of humour displayed in notices and on the menu.  For example one item was an 'i crepe', the latest offering from  'Apple' .......(apple and cinnamon crepe!)

Sadly we could only manage one night there and returned to Musanze Monday afternoon, then took Marilyn back to Busasamana....the community members gave me a resounding welcome back!  Great to see them again.   Received an email from Marcie who went to Canada last Saturday for a conference , saying our gate guard had been arrested for stealing!!!  So, after driving back from Musanze on Tuesday morning I had to go to the police station to identify our property.  The police asked if I'd like to see him, I said would they arrest me if I hit him....they laughed.  Anyway I left him in custody to reflect on his behaviour, unfortunately he didn't reflect very well as he's saying that the police are lying!!  They released him yesterday and he arrived at our house this morning showing no contrition, so i took him and his  belongings to his mother.  I have to discuss the matter with Marcie as soon as she returns after the weekend.

Today is umuganda so I stayed in the house doing domestic things, am going to try roasting in the new cooker this evening....if it is not a success I shall potter to the Japanese.

Trying to catch up!

Another service which ran 20 minutes over time.  Why don't the frocks up front keep an eye on things and omit things if necessary.

Anyway, have had a good week, no teaching i the morning, and finished Paddington, and the Sound of Music with the sisters in the afternoons.  I took Friday off as the traffic is so bad that day .  However I did work hard each morning on lesson plans for the next few weeks.

The house is coming along, still no hot water but the sun is warming the water in the the tank which is on top of the latest project of the owner, so morning showers are not too bad.

The ceiling light in my bedroom

Putting the water tank up

This week I've been driving Sprout everyday and managed to locate the lights and drive back from KH  (what we residents call the new Kigali Heights, probably because there is a large KH on the building)  We had dinner there one evening which was very good at the Java House once more.

I took myself to City Tower quite early Friday morning hoping I could park without a hassle, the guards kept trying to make me reverse into tight spots, 'no, no, I'm going up?  I cried.  Eventually found an easy spot.....guard running alongside me!  Went in a little crooked but guard said ok.  He pointed out open windows....they won't shut always....so I shrugged and he looked after Sprout  till I returned.  

Those of you on FB will have seen that I spent yesterday by the pool at the Gorilla Golf hotel, had the place to myself which was great and enjoyed swimming for the first time this year.  An ice cold Primus, avocado salad and chips, very good....and I watched Saturday Kitchen!
If you imagine coming back from the pool, turn to face away from pool, there is a garden below then the boundary, a road ....and our house the other side of the road.


There is a huge project at the cathedral, pic below.  The old meeting room has been demolished and a multi use building will be started soon.

Marilyn is coming to Kigali on Wednesday for a little R and R, then Saturday I'm driving us to Musanze where we I shall bless the land and the build of his new home for Eric, our friendly tour operator, then to 5 Volcanoes for dinner all being well.  The next day we're going to Uganda, at least Marilyn is as she has an East African visa.  I've been told I'm ok as I have a Rwanda ID card....I hope this is so.

All for now....back after our adventure into foreign parts.

A few challenges along the way

Well, what's life without a few challenges!  Although these were not unpleasant and involved attempting to furnish the house.  

So, used to driving Sprout into the city now, not as scary when I'm more in control as much as possible...but....Marcie and I went to City Tower first, which involved parking in the multi storey car park, first though security....open bonnet...?how!  Anyway got through that.   And managed to park.  We didn't see anything we liked so walked around the block to have a look in 2000 Chinese shop.....just to have a look.  But bought loads of stuff all too heavy to carry back to City Tower, so I had to walk back to City Tower, try to find the car and then drive to 2000 in Friday Rush hour traffic.  

Saturday was umuganda so a morning in, then we got a taxi to take us to a lovely furniture shop, gorgeous stuff make by local artisans, so we ordered what we needed and more.  Unfortunately will take a month, so I'll be sleeping on the floor.  Then to the Union Trade Centre for fridge freezer and mattresses and Marcie's bed, so she'll be ok.

Then to Kigali heights for Marcie's bank, I had a delicious chocolate ice cream from the Italian ice cream shop which is growing in popularity daily. 

Sunday After church we drove to the house to measure up for curtains etc. the electricity was on so we had a look at all the lights which the owner has put in, my bedroom light is rather astonishing full of bluish LEDs, I'll try to take a pic.
We went to the Gorilla Golf Hotel for lunch by the pool, I'm going to see the manager to negotiate a special rate for daily early morning swim when I come back.

Now nearly at the end of another week, June first today and we should have had the key....the house is not in too bad a state but the cooker isn't installed yet, and the garden area is now a bomb site as JB the owner decided to make some alterations!

We are moving in tomorrow, I'm desperate for hot shower and hairwash! I'll spend the weekend there, but whilst teaching will probably stay in the community during the week.

I've been driving frequently to my local printer in Masaka, I like to give handouts to the students, now whenever I drive past the lads all pile out and wave.  and some of the locals indicate they'd appreciate a lift so I invariably have a passenger as far as Masaka.
The children run out and wave and those at school call 'Good morning'

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.

A great Easter.

A massacre in the bedroom. My FB friends will be aware of the trauma we suffered on April 11th.  I bought a large box of red to see us through our rest week, Passover and beyond.  But we couldn't open the tab.  Marilyn setto with her penknife, I could see what was going to happen......and it did!

With difficulty and trying not to waste any more, we succeeded in decanting the remaining red wine from the incised back courtesy of a large plastic bowl to catch any drips.

Embarrassing!

Wednesday we bought stuff for Passover, and lamb from the German butcher plus shank bone which was more like a half leg.  We enjoyed lunch at the butcher's cafe, good and cheap!  Then I went to Marcie's to start cooking for the following evening.

Thursday we again went shopping for last minute supplies, had a quick salad at Bourbon in City Tower, then to Marcie's to finish preparing the meal.

We were seven people from the US, Rwanda, UK , Czech Republic, before we began we had to practice the songs: Jubilate, Dayenu and You shall go out with Joy

The service was well received so I´m glad that I prepared it

I stayed at Marcie's so I could attend the Good Friday service at St Etienne at 8.15.  I was a very good service, Manasseh led the music extremely well.  The service was a thanksgiving with uplifting songs, quite different to the more reflective service which I'm used to.

Then an unexpected invite to join folk at Lake Kivu for the evening, so off I went and had a very enjoyable time at the Inzozi Beach Hotel....I must return, it was great.

Then it was back to Marcie's for the night.  WE went to the new mall Kigali Heights for dinner, spicy Thai chicken salad was yummy.  There is a cupcake shop in the mall, also a shop selling all things Italian, especially ice cream....I shall return.

St Etienne decorated for Easter Day, little lights in the drapes, it looked so pretty.

The service was joyful of course, although Thine be the glory was ditched!  Manasseh and I are going to sing it sometime!  Bishop Louis preached what was a difficult sermon for him, with Kwibuka, the time of memorial for the genocide against Tutsis, coinciding with Easter he said it could be hard to think of the hope of the resurrection.  His 3 brothers were butchered, a priest of St Etienne was killed in the church.......but out of the despair and desolation of 1994 Rwanda has risen with the  hope of the resurrection.

Marilyn and I decided we would have a Pina Colada at the Serena to celebrate Easter and make up for no Easter eggs or Hot X Buns.  I got mine....but by the time Marilyn arrived from the English service at the catholic cathedral, she was concerned we would be late for the next appointment so didn't get her tipple.