Plain Jane

Monday Sept 17

We went into the main part of the city to meet up with another one of my friends from Compassion, John. After enjoying another wonderful buffet we walked around. I was thrilled to find a Kinyarwandan Bible at a local bookstore and the clerk was intrigued why I'd want it. We also picked up some cds from local Christian artists. I wanted to show Sarah the hotel that we stayed at last time so we walked the short way there. The Des Mille Collines [or Hotel Rwanda as many of you might know it] had changed some since I'd been there. I pointed out to her different places on the grounds, like the covered porch where we had been surprised with pizza by the Compassion staff. While waiting for our ride home we figured out with John the dates and times for seeing our kids. Excited, we then headed back knowing that we'd see our kids very soon. 

In Rwanda, I'd say the main form of transportation is walking, however the next thing would be motos [motorcycles]. These bikes are driven by an array of men taking you to places within the city for about 500 Rwandan franc's [or $.80]. The majority of drivers wear a reflective yellow vest stating that they are the mass transit; other's are privately owned. The law states that all drivers must have a helmet for their passenger and all passengers must wear them. Some drivers got entrepreneurial and for an extra charge offer the ladies a hair cover before they don the helmet. We had been watching these bikes weave in and out of traffic without a hitch. Scooting past the line of stopped cars, they would all fight for the front at a red light. Green, and they'd be off, zooming this way and that. It only took us a little bit and we were both dying to take one. That night Fiona picked us up to meet with Philip at an Italian Restaurant. We were thrilled when she said we could take a moto. After hailing 3 guys, we climbed on and sped thru the dark night to the restaurant. 

The pizza's were amazing and according to the professional who's actually been to Italy, aka Sarah, this is how it's done. And obviously the word had gotten around about this place as seated in the table next to us was a group of older Italian men conversing in their native tongue.