Do you believe that I wrote that all out without Google Translator? Well, I did! Do you believe I wrote it all out without help from my ikinyarwanda book? Well, I didn’t! It has only been 5 days after all, you crazies!
These past 5 days have been an absolute whirlwind. Janelle, our Country Coordinator suggested to us when we first got here that we focus on one sense a day to try to minimize the shock of it all and I’ve decided to share some these with you!
Day 1: Sight. I know Rwanda’s nickname is the Land of a Thousand Hills, but somehow, I was still so surprised at how HILLY it is! There is no flat, it is only up or down. For a vastly out of shape American this will prove to be a challenge every day. It does make some beautiful vistas, though. I could look at them for days.
Day 2: Touch. With day 2 came our very first moto rides! If you don’t have a car, your options to get around are getting a moto taxi (a motorcycle), a bicycle taxi (way slower), a car taxi (expensive), orrrr walking (see above). Motos are so freeing. The feel of the wind as you zoom through the city is something I can only akin to riding a horse. Except it has an engine. And goes faster. And the helmet is bulkier. We also observed our first umuganda which is the last Saturday of the month where everyone goes and serves their community by picking up trash or cleaning their home. I helped put together a bed 😊
Day 3: Sound. Our first Sunday in Rwanda, we went to the English service in Kigali where Janelle was preaching. Hearing, or rather not hearing (Rwandans speak so softly!), the sermon given by one of the founders of the Lutheran Church of Rwanda (WHAT) was incredible as is. But the part that I was most excited to hear, and hear more of, is the Kinyarwanda service that comes right after. It is so upbeat and the music is so loud that I can’t wait for this Sunday when I can experience it fully.
Day 4: Smell. After a morning off and lunch, Janelle took us to the place I was most excited to visit. The Kitenge market. Kitenge is the traditional Rwandan fabric with amazing patterns and colors. This market is the definition of sensory overload so it took me a long time to process anything, there were so many colors, style, patterns, but what really struck me was the scent of wax and sweat. The market was inside and everyone was packed together, it was hot and uncomfortable, but after I got over all of that I was able to pick out a BEAUTIFUL black fabric with red flowers – very me.
Day 5: Taste. We took a day trip to Huye, where Stephen will be living today to visit the ethnographic museum. After the museum, we went to a Rwandan buffet with so many delicious offerings like these really good roasted vegetables in some kind of red sauce, pickled cucumber, fresh passionfruit, and a hot pot dish. It was all so so good.
I can’t wait for what more there is to come!