Welcome to my first-ever attempt at blogging!
After about 35 hours of travel, I landed in Kigali yesterday, only to find that my two bags didn't quite make it. They may have done what I wanted to do multiple times during the trip, which was just take a big long nap somewhere, so I can't really blame them for missing a flight. Either way, I'm really hoping they make it today, because my one change of clothes can only last so long.
I was picked up at the airport by Julie, one of the ORI project managers, and she took me to have some lunch and buy a mosquito net, and then brought me to my new home in the Kigali neighborhood of Kimihurura (hence the name of the blog). The view here really is fantastic (posting pictures directly to the blog takes a long time with our internet connection, so I'll be using links to my Picasa album for now).
Here's where I'm actually sitting and writing this post. I can tell already that I'll be spending a lot of time on this porch.
Some of my first impressions of Kigali, which I was able to process after moving past my general feeling of disbelief that I'm actually here:
- people are friendly, and learning some French will definitely be an asset. I wouldn't have been able to navigate the process of buying things at the stores we went to without Julie, who knows a little French and is well-versed in the universal language of bargaining.
- the weather is absolutely amazing. Billowing clouds, blue skies, soft breezes...you get the idea.
- the coffee is just as good as I thought it would be.
- learning the streets and neighborhoods will be a serious challenge. there are few street signs and even fewer streets with names. Apparently, whenever I'm telling a motocab driver how to take me home, I'm supposed to tell him the name of my neighborhood, mention the restaurant up the street, and then explain the rest with some hand motions.
That's about all I have for now. I crashed for about 13 hours last night and am feeling prety rested, but I'm sure the jet-lag will linger for a couple days. I'm off to the airport to see if my bags showed up on either of today's flights from Nairobi.
Tomorrow I start work at the ORI office.
7 comments:
Nick, What a pleasant surprise this a.m. We are so excited for you and feel privileged to be included in your blog postings. What a beautiful place to be - that porch is very inviting. Here's hoping that the errant luggage is found soon so you can get on with your "work/adventure in fresh clothes. The alternative, of course, is to learn enough French and bartering immediately so you can go shopping. Our love to you, Paul and Diane
Nick, your enthusiasm, wit and openness to all around you make for wonderful reading: I will look forward to your posts! Sending you much love and wishes for safety and enrichment — Brett
Nick--thanks for taking the time to record some of your impressions. I'm going to be a regular reader, so keep it up! I'm glad to see you didn't adopt Chris' suggestion for the title. Can't wait to hear what happens next.
Bonne chance! (good luck!)
Matt
MZUNGU, i didnt even read your blog entry but its a.w.e.s.o.m.e.
cool - and the house looks somewhat familiar... eager to hear of your work and impressions
"the coffee is just as good as I thought it would be."
SUPER!
Nick, you damn liberal. Get out of there, get into a top flight law school, and learn to start fleecing people out of their not so hard earned money before the government gets it.
Judas Priest! What is wrong with the youths these days.
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