Friday, June 09, 2006
our first few days in the magic green country
We've arrived. At last. Rwanda is prettier than I'd ever imagined. And the people are stunning. Beautiful and super-excited when you try to pronounce a few werds in Kinyarwandan (miserably failing). So far we haven't really 'done' anything, apart from spending a couple of nights in Kigali. Now here in Butare, where the National University is, we've been visiting various ministries and such, mainly to show how awe-struck we all are in the face of all the new initiatives that the folks here have been creating over the last few years. I'm just hoping that we can actually contribute something too... The reception at the university was super-friendly, and being here is pretty much like life on steroids, permanently.
Kinyarwandan is crazy. The local language is virtually impossible for us to pronounce - but that has so far not stopped any of us little fools. And the locals smile and proudly help us along. It seems most foreigners don't make any effort at all, so we're on a winner already.
The people are beautiful. Some are tiny (beautiful), some super-tall (like way taller than I, even the women), and we've already learned several cool handshakes and other local customs (like men kissing each other on the cheek 3 times). It's been easy to make friends, and it seems all our weekends are already planned out. There's simply so much to see and do.
On the weekend, we're preparing our first lot of workshops... but now it's all about watching Germany win their first footie match! At least the Rwandans 'get it' about the world cup, and I've had several guys promise me they'll root for Germany. Let's see if they mean it.
Kinyarwandan is crazy. The local language is virtually impossible for us to pronounce - but that has so far not stopped any of us little fools. And the locals smile and proudly help us along. It seems most foreigners don't make any effort at all, so we're on a winner already.
The people are beautiful. Some are tiny (beautiful), some super-tall (like way taller than I, even the women), and we've already learned several cool handshakes and other local customs (like men kissing each other on the cheek 3 times). It's been easy to make friends, and it seems all our weekends are already planned out. There's simply so much to see and do.
On the weekend, we're preparing our first lot of workshops... but now it's all about watching Germany win their first footie match! At least the Rwandans 'get it' about the world cup, and I've had several guys promise me they'll root for Germany. Let's see if they mean it.
permaLink posted by Juttko @ 8:43 AM 
