Intro to Kigali

As mentioned previously, I couldn’t see much of Rwanda when we arrived as it was dark.  Not until the next day (Friday) did I have a chance to see where we would spend the next six weeks.  We woke up to a lovely, cool morning (Marty called it cold, as in “why do you have that fan on, it’s freezing in here”) with a wonderful breeze.  Our home away from home is on the top floor overlooking the city.  Rwanda is called the land of a thousand hills and you better believe it.  Kigali makes San Francisco look like Iowa.  And the humidity: low!!!

Here are a few pictures from our balcony:

In the second one, you can just barely see the next door health club with the pool (where I will be spending time!).

First thing in the morning, a car picked us up for a 9:00 am visit to the U.S. Embassy to meet several people and take care of paperwork.  I’ve never been in an embassy before, but it’s pretty much like you see in films.  Our car pulled up to a gate, a guard walked around the car testing it in various places for, I assume, explosives.  Next we drove into a gated enclosure where they used mirrors on poles to check under the car.  Then we were escorted into the guard enclosure where we showed our passport and received a visitor badge.  A guard escorted us to the embassy lobby where a U. S. Marine checked us off a list, and called up to the person we were scheduled to meet.  It was interesting that U.S. Marines guard the actual embassy building inside, where outside (but still on the compound) is guarded by all locals.   

Right across the street from the embassy is the Kigali Public Library.  Interior work continues, but during our walk though the building I took the following pictures:

My favorite is the last one taken from the second floor where you can see part of the city on the hillside. 

Later that afternoon we visited one of the markets in the area to pick up a few staples.  Talk about sticker shock!  For anyone who has lived overseas, you know how difficult it is to find American products and those you do find are quite expensive.  I’m not positive, but I think I paid $9 for a box of Special K.  You don’t find milk in the refrigerated section, but on the shelf – long life milk.  Cheese is a rarity here and is quite expensive ($10 for a slab of mozzarella anyone?).  Gouda is the exception, readily available and inexpensive.  Not a problem for us, we both love it. 

Good news: the coffee is WONDERFUL.  NARA folks you’re going to love this stuff.

Next up: Wait and see!