Peyton's Memoirs from Rwanda

First Week in Kigali

// January 20th, 2010 // Uncategorized

Well, I have officially been here for five days in this whirlwind called Kigali. Looking ahead to my time in Musanze, also known as Ruhengeri, I admit that I had thought little about Kigali in my preparations. But, it has been more exciting and interesting than I had anticipated. I’ve dreamed of the fertile mountains in Musanze, but the city-life of Kigali holds its own special place. Oh, there are hills all right…but they are covered with throngs of people, crowded roads, houses, street vendors, moto-taxis, and the busyness that accompanies the life of a country trying to grow economically. One minute, you may be peering into a crumbling house with broken floors and some jugs of water with several trinkets for sale, displayed on the wall; moments later, a rather impressive shopping mall, filled with Americanized cell phone shops, coffee houses, and a miniature version of Wal-Mart, called Nakkumat. This is what I love about Kigali. The atmosphere is 50/50. The feel of Western society is very much at bay, but the people are still very much Rwandan. They have adopted many things from our Oh-Too-Busy way of living, but the people here do not forget their past – they ARE Rwandans. And I appreciate this. We already have one America…and that is the only one the world needs. Still, I am certain that Musanze, tucked deep in the Virunga Mountains – a chain of eight volcanoes, will be nothing like the experience I have had here in Kigali. In fact, I hear that the difference between them is like night and day. And this gets me excited. I crave a simpler life. Not that I don’t enjoy Kigali…but I am more than ready to leave the hustle and bustle of city life behind. Cars, banks, buildings, and urbanization have their place…But I am ready to be surrounded by trees, grass, dirt, untouched countryside, mountains, and people who don’t know anything better than that…who don’t want anything more than that.

However, I am enjoying my time in Kigali immensely! Here are some of the things I’ve seen the past few days.

The picture above is of the gazebo outside of Tom’s house in Kigali. As of this moment, it is probably my favorite place on this earth. We have eaten dinner in it twice and the view is amazing at night. The hills all around are lit up with the glow of lights from houses all over Kigali. It is as if the stars got tired of hanging in the night sky and decided to touch down in Rwanda, wrapping themselves around the darkened hills in the distance. Picture soon to come!

This is one of the fourteen mass graves located at the Genocide Memorial in Kigali. There are estimated to be around 250,000 people buried in these graves at the memorial. An all too chilling reminder of the past affliction that Rwanda has suffered. I already knew of Rwanda’s history…but nothing could prepare me for this image.

A simple areal view of one of the many regions in Kigali. This is from the community located next to the KICS school.

Oh yeah! Bring it Rwanda…

The Bridge2Rwanda crew in action. A good looking one at that.

Produce at the local market in Kigali. This was by far, the most cultural experience I’ve had so far. This market trumps any farmers market I’ve ever been to. Oddly enough, I enjoy grocery shopping, so this was awesome. The locals definitely noticed the “muzungus” (white people) frequenting the market. We stuck out like a sore thumb!

Bananas, straight from the tree.

Some Rwandans aren’t too keen on having their picture taken. But these guys, that we bought tomatoes from, reveled in the opportunity.

The streets in the market.

We took a break at the market and ducked into this booth, where we downed some hard boiled eggs and cold beer. It definitely hit the spot.

So, those are a few shots from my time in Kigali thus far. Many more to come.

Not my own picture, but I couldn’t resist. This is just a taste of what lies ahead in Musanze! I hope to update you all soon. God bless.

- Peyton