'the views expressed in this blog are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of VSO'.
Thursday 17th September 2009
Like every other morning, this morning started once again in the education office...only this time myself and Ruairi had an agenda...we needed to show Alexis and Francois our plan for the coming weeks...if this is not done soon I fear I may shrivel up and become and office hermit! They actually took the suggestions remarkably well and if all plans go ahead, we should be visiting schools next week. I left the office feeling satisfied and headed over to the district office, where I spent the rest of the day...There was an English class at 4pm so I made my way home on my own...when I got to the football pitch, once again, I was followed home by a group of 6 children aged between 5 and 10. When I got to the house they were still there...I just walked down the slope and in through the front door. As I was walking away the children were approached by a well dressed man in shirt and trousers...he looked like he might have been a teacher (and teachers can always spot teachers!!!) Anyway, I thought nothing of it and went inside. Now, I have decided that even if I don’t have such things as electricity, running water or a modern toilet...I do have VERY comfortable PJ’s...and 4.30pm is just about the right time to put them on!!! I was in my room and had unlocked the back door (but left it closed) and just as I was slipping on my rather fetching bright pink polka dot pyjama bottoms...I could here children’s voices shouting mzungu, mzungu, mzungu...over and over...and it seemed to be very close by...but of course...it couldn’t have been coming from the back of the house as it is enclosed...but as I peered around the door...the little monsters WERE IN OUR BACK GARDEN!!! They had let themselves in!!!! Now I had a decision to make...do I get rid of them as quickly as possible (remembering that I am wearing bright pink pyjamas) or do I get changed and then try and get rid of them...I went for the second option as I wouldn’t have taken me seriously wearing those! They were very persistent and didn’t actually leave until Alexandre came home...I packed my bag for my trip to Kigali in the morning and had an early night.
'the views expressed in this blog are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of VSO'.
Friday 18th September 2009
I was up early and ready to catch the morning bus to Butare...we arrived at the district office just in time as the bus was dropping off the office staff...The journey was long and bumpy, but nothing that wasn’t to be expected...in town we headed first for the post office to see if the pants and lip balm posted 2 weeks ago had arrived...and of course they hadn’t...only the situation is a little more complicated than it first appears....as I may have given the wrong address to my dad...the pants will therefore end up in someone else’s post box (you can all rest assured that all the HUGE parcels you have been sending to BP 129 Butare...will go the right place....ha ha ha!!!) With the underwear situation just about under control, it was time to head to the bank to open my Rwandan Bank account...the problem being that the application form to open a bank account is in FRENCH...I don’t speak FRENCH!!!! Why oh why oh why???? I just about managed to fumble my way though...with a few minor mishaps...and I am now the proud owner of a Rwandan bank account with Eco Bank...apparently I will also be getting a new bank card...although I can only use it at the university campus...never mind...also...it could take 3 months to arrive!!! Now for the bus to Kigali, I decided to go with ‘Volcano’ bus company, which was probably the right choice to make...fast and comfortable...as usual, within minutes of leaving Butare, I was overcome with a feeling of sleepyness...and drifted in and out of sleep the whole way to Kigali. First stop in Kigali was the program office to collect my passport which also had my visa in, so that I would be able to collect my case from the airport tomorrow (previously I have had someone with me who has been able to explain that my passport was at the immigration office and didn’t want to risk it, being on my own) I bussed it there are back in record time...and headed for the blues cafe to use the internet...After managing to waste and entire day (which I have become incredibly good at) I met up with April and Portia before heading back to the apartment where Portia and Julie live...The apartment is amazing...it has electricity...TWO PROPER TOILETS!!!...and...hot and cold running water...I have forgotten what these things are like! After a quick tour and a drink (some nicer than others as the salt and sugar pot hadn’t been labelled and April had 2 ‘sugars’ in her tea) we headed into town for something to eat...we decided on Indian...Handee’s...where everything sparkles and is covered in sequins...it is amazing!!! And finally before bed...A HOT SHOWER!!!!!!...Just what the doctor ordered!
'the views expressed in this blog are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of VSO'.
Saturday 19th September 2009
We were all up early...dressed and ready to go...we got motos into town where we had breakfast and a drink...Julie had decided that she was also going to come to Butare for the evening. A taxi was called and I was finally heading to airport to collect my long lost bag!!!...I collected my pass and went through to the baggage claim area...into the room of lost and found bags...and...there it was...sat on a shelf...exactly as I had left it!!! I handed over my forms...and headed for the exit...only to be stopped by a customs officer...he insisted that I open my bag and show him what was inside...as if enough people haven’t already been through it!!! I obliged..he prodded and poked...as predicted he found nothing...but in all honesty there could have been anything in there!! I walked back through...beaming from ear to ear...with my case trailing behind me!!...back in the taxi...at the bus station we had to buy an extra ticket for the suitcase...and try as we might to sit in the seats in front of the bloody thing...they were insistent that we sit next to it...thankfully the bus was not very busy...and was therefore reasonably comfortable! Back in Butare we met up with the others and settled into the ‘Africana lodge’ basic but clean. After a well deserved beer it was back to the hotel to change..the question was...WHAT TO WEAR!!!???!!! I couldn’t remember what having so many clothes was like!!! Just outside the main centre of Butare is a Chinese restaurant...you might have to wait 2 hours for your food, but it is about as like Chinese food as you can get...just before midnight we headed back to the hotel where I was sharing with Melanie...it was just like being back training!
'the views expressed in this blog are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of VSO'.
Sunday 20th September 2009
I was going to have a lie in this morning...but Melanie had other ideas...she was awake...so I should be too!!! Lol We might have been awake, but that doesn’t mean that we did anything...just chatted until the others got up...but even then...we made no effort to get up...Unfortunately there was no water (although there usually is) so once again it was a bucket shower...man oh man...it is hard work...I think I must have got used to showering at home...I found it really hard...there was a little bit of swearing, as I stumbled and nearly fell out of the shower, but I was very aware that everyone was sat in the chairs just outside the bathroom...By the time I was finally ready...the heavens opened...it was just a case of waiting...the rain was over soon enough and we went to a cafe for lunch. Tomorrow is Eid, and obviously, as a predominantly Christian country, Eid is a public holiday! Now, I am not going to complain!. I left my case with Ruairi for the night as he was staying in Butare...while I got the bus with Melanie, to her house in Nyanza...I really think she needs to visit as soon as possible to see how the other half live...they have water (although not at the moment), electricity AND a proper toilet! Ken, the man she shares the house with had made pie and mash for tea, unfortunately for the first time in months, Ken had cooked with meat and it was a beef pie, so I just had mash...yes...you heard right...I had a whole plate of mashed potatoes!!! The evening was spent chatting and listening to music...which included a Christmas carols...I love Christmas carols!!!!
'the views expressed in this blog are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of VSO'.
Monday 21st September 2009
We headed into Nyanza town at about 11.30am...straight for the market...there are fruits and vegetables galore and a selection of beautiful fabrics...I bought some more material to make another curtain, table cloth and to cover up the front of my book case where all my clothes are going to be kept and the windows in the cupboard in the living room where I also have some bits and pieces. Ken’s favourite drink is a soured milk...I cant remember what it is really called, but it is basically just soured, whole fat yoghurt. I didn’t not like it...but a pint is a lot!! I managed about a 5th before I handed it over to Ken, who had already drunk his own!! I would have it again, only I would have a much smaller class!! We went to see a friend of Ken and Mel’s who was very pleased to see me as she has heard all about my hair that doesn’t need brushing...good job really as I have no idea where my brush is...in fact...I I have only brushed my hair once since being here...and that was before I moved to Gisagara...ooops!!! I got the 3pm bus back to Butare where I met Ruairi with my bag and we got a taxi back to the house. While I was off having fun in Nyanza...Ruairi was busy photocopying the English exam paper for every teacher in the district...back at the house, by the light of a kerosene lamp we had to package the papers, counting them out to ensure that there were enough question and answer sheets for the number of teachers in each district...sometime later we finally finished...
Thursday 17th September 2009
Like every other morning, this morning started once again in the education office...only this time myself and Ruairi had an agenda...we needed to show Alexis and Francois our plan for the coming weeks...if this is not done soon I fear I may shrivel up and become and office hermit! They actually took the suggestions remarkably well and if all plans go ahead, we should be visiting schools next week. I left the office feeling satisfied and headed over to the district office, where I spent the rest of the day...There was an English class at 4pm so I made my way home on my own...when I got to the football pitch, once again, I was followed home by a group of 6 children aged between 5 and 10. When I got to the house they were still there...I just walked down the slope and in through the front door. As I was walking away the children were approached by a well dressed man in shirt and trousers...he looked like he might have been a teacher (and teachers can always spot teachers!!!) Anyway, I thought nothing of it and went inside. Now, I have decided that even if I don’t have such things as electricity, running water or a modern toilet...I do have VERY comfortable PJ’s...and 4.30pm is just about the right time to put them on!!! I was in my room and had unlocked the back door (but left it closed) and just as I was slipping on my rather fetching bright pink polka dot pyjama bottoms...I could here children’s voices shouting mzungu, mzungu, mzungu...over and over...and it seemed to be very close by...but of course...it couldn’t have been coming from the back of the house as it is enclosed...but as I peered around the door...the little monsters WERE IN OUR BACK GARDEN!!! They had let themselves in!!!! Now I had a decision to make...do I get rid of them as quickly as possible (remembering that I am wearing bright pink pyjamas) or do I get changed and then try and get rid of them...I went for the second option as I wouldn’t have taken me seriously wearing those! They were very persistent and didn’t actually leave until Alexandre came home...I packed my bag for my trip to Kigali in the morning and had an early night.
'the views expressed in this blog are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of VSO'.
Friday 18th September 2009
I was up early and ready to catch the morning bus to Butare...we arrived at the district office just in time as the bus was dropping off the office staff...The journey was long and bumpy, but nothing that wasn’t to be expected...in town we headed first for the post office to see if the pants and lip balm posted 2 weeks ago had arrived...and of course they hadn’t...only the situation is a little more complicated than it first appears....as I may have given the wrong address to my dad...the pants will therefore end up in someone else’s post box (you can all rest assured that all the HUGE parcels you have been sending to BP 129 Butare...will go the right place....ha ha ha!!!) With the underwear situation just about under control, it was time to head to the bank to open my Rwandan Bank account...the problem being that the application form to open a bank account is in FRENCH...I don’t speak FRENCH!!!! Why oh why oh why???? I just about managed to fumble my way though...with a few minor mishaps...and I am now the proud owner of a Rwandan bank account with Eco Bank...apparently I will also be getting a new bank card...although I can only use it at the university campus...never mind...also...it could take 3 months to arrive!!! Now for the bus to Kigali, I decided to go with ‘Volcano’ bus company, which was probably the right choice to make...fast and comfortable...as usual, within minutes of leaving Butare, I was overcome with a feeling of sleepyness...and drifted in and out of sleep the whole way to Kigali. First stop in Kigali was the program office to collect my passport which also had my visa in, so that I would be able to collect my case from the airport tomorrow (previously I have had someone with me who has been able to explain that my passport was at the immigration office and didn’t want to risk it, being on my own) I bussed it there are back in record time...and headed for the blues cafe to use the internet...After managing to waste and entire day (which I have become incredibly good at) I met up with April and Portia before heading back to the apartment where Portia and Julie live...The apartment is amazing...it has electricity...TWO PROPER TOILETS!!!...and...hot and cold running water...I have forgotten what these things are like! After a quick tour and a drink (some nicer than others as the salt and sugar pot hadn’t been labelled and April had 2 ‘sugars’ in her tea) we headed into town for something to eat...we decided on Indian...Handee’s...where everything sparkles and is covered in sequins...it is amazing!!! And finally before bed...A HOT SHOWER!!!!!!...Just what the doctor ordered!
'the views expressed in this blog are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of VSO'.
Saturday 19th September 2009
We were all up early...dressed and ready to go...we got motos into town where we had breakfast and a drink...Julie had decided that she was also going to come to Butare for the evening. A taxi was called and I was finally heading to airport to collect my long lost bag!!!...I collected my pass and went through to the baggage claim area...into the room of lost and found bags...and...there it was...sat on a shelf...exactly as I had left it!!! I handed over my forms...and headed for the exit...only to be stopped by a customs officer...he insisted that I open my bag and show him what was inside...as if enough people haven’t already been through it!!! I obliged..he prodded and poked...as predicted he found nothing...but in all honesty there could have been anything in there!! I walked back through...beaming from ear to ear...with my case trailing behind me!!...back in the taxi...at the bus station we had to buy an extra ticket for the suitcase...and try as we might to sit in the seats in front of the bloody thing...they were insistent that we sit next to it...thankfully the bus was not very busy...and was therefore reasonably comfortable! Back in Butare we met up with the others and settled into the ‘Africana lodge’ basic but clean. After a well deserved beer it was back to the hotel to change..the question was...WHAT TO WEAR!!!???!!! I couldn’t remember what having so many clothes was like!!! Just outside the main centre of Butare is a Chinese restaurant...you might have to wait 2 hours for your food, but it is about as like Chinese food as you can get...just before midnight we headed back to the hotel where I was sharing with Melanie...it was just like being back training!
'the views expressed in this blog are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of VSO'.
Sunday 20th September 2009
I was going to have a lie in this morning...but Melanie had other ideas...she was awake...so I should be too!!! Lol We might have been awake, but that doesn’t mean that we did anything...just chatted until the others got up...but even then...we made no effort to get up...Unfortunately there was no water (although there usually is) so once again it was a bucket shower...man oh man...it is hard work...I think I must have got used to showering at home...I found it really hard...there was a little bit of swearing, as I stumbled and nearly fell out of the shower, but I was very aware that everyone was sat in the chairs just outside the bathroom...By the time I was finally ready...the heavens opened...it was just a case of waiting...the rain was over soon enough and we went to a cafe for lunch. Tomorrow is Eid, and obviously, as a predominantly Christian country, Eid is a public holiday! Now, I am not going to complain!. I left my case with Ruairi for the night as he was staying in Butare...while I got the bus with Melanie, to her house in Nyanza...I really think she needs to visit as soon as possible to see how the other half live...they have water (although not at the moment), electricity AND a proper toilet! Ken, the man she shares the house with had made pie and mash for tea, unfortunately for the first time in months, Ken had cooked with meat and it was a beef pie, so I just had mash...yes...you heard right...I had a whole plate of mashed potatoes!!! The evening was spent chatting and listening to music...which included a Christmas carols...I love Christmas carols!!!!
'the views expressed in this blog are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of VSO'.
Monday 21st September 2009
We headed into Nyanza town at about 11.30am...straight for the market...there are fruits and vegetables galore and a selection of beautiful fabrics...I bought some more material to make another curtain, table cloth and to cover up the front of my book case where all my clothes are going to be kept and the windows in the cupboard in the living room where I also have some bits and pieces. Ken’s favourite drink is a soured milk...I cant remember what it is really called, but it is basically just soured, whole fat yoghurt. I didn’t not like it...but a pint is a lot!! I managed about a 5th before I handed it over to Ken, who had already drunk his own!! I would have it again, only I would have a much smaller class!! We went to see a friend of Ken and Mel’s who was very pleased to see me as she has heard all about my hair that doesn’t need brushing...good job really as I have no idea where my brush is...in fact...I I have only brushed my hair once since being here...and that was before I moved to Gisagara...ooops!!! I got the 3pm bus back to Butare where I met Ruairi with my bag and we got a taxi back to the house. While I was off having fun in Nyanza...Ruairi was busy photocopying the English exam paper for every teacher in the district...back at the house, by the light of a kerosene lamp we had to package the papers, counting them out to ensure that there were enough question and answer sheets for the number of teachers in each district...sometime later we finally finished...
Loving the blogs Sarah, they are becomming my nightly reads before I go to bed! Miss you lots xxx
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