A Western traveller to Africa some time age, working to a tight schedule was annoyed when, after a few days, his guides refused to move on. ‘This is a waste of valuable time. Can someone tell me what’s going on here?, he shouted. The translator looked at him and calmly answered, ‘They’re waiting for their souls to catch up with their bodies.’ Terry Hershey, Sacred Necessities: Gifts for Living with Passion, Purpose, and Grace.
I am not sure how much money you need per day to live in Rwanda. But while in the country I wanted to have my own experience of how it is to be a Rwandan. So, I would like to share the cost of a few things. Currently £1 is about RWF 1104.00.
-Moto taxi price in Kigali can be very challenging for a Muzungu (a white person). Prices can vary between RWF 300 and RWF 1000. Don’t forget to negotiate and agree the price of the ride in advance. RWF 300 each way is a fair price.
-A two-litre-bottle of water is between RWF 400 and RWF 1000. It is a good deal to know your area and local people.
-A samosa. It is delicious! It tastes like “Brazilian pastel” – RWF 150.
-Yogurt – RWF 400
-A toilet paper – RWF 200
-Bread (sliced) – RWF 100
-I love nibbles like peanuts (roasted and salted) – RWF 600 for a small container.
-Fruit – 4 bananas – RWF 100 and 2 avocados – RWF 100
-Dinner out – RWF 3.500
-Self service lunch – RWF 1000
-A pack of popcorn in the bus station – RWF 100. The smell of popcorn usually drives me crazy. I love it! It is free! 🙂
-Bus ticket from Kigali (Kimirongo) to Ruhuha – RWF 1.300
-Bus ticket in Kigali from Remera to Kimirongo – RWF 200
-Bus ticket from Kigali (Remera) to Rwamagana RWF 1.050
The prices are displayed on the bus. I hope the information is helpful!
Bike is a synonym of status in Ruhuha, Rwanda. It is either a means of transport for commercial or personal purposes. It is an economic source and to have a bicycle is a dream that many people wish to come true in their life.
Bicycles have become the best transport to get students to their schools.
Peddling is an asset in Ruhuha and people depend on the bikes heavily.
Many times I thought about having my own bicycle. It would be so useful!
I want to dedicate some special posts for the stunning bikes that are turning heads, at least mine, on the long wide street of Ruhuha.
I love them! They are colourfully painted and decorated with meaningful words . Their owners are proud of what the bike means for them and for the community. The personalisation of the bikes is outstanding. This one is a taxi express!
I could not stop photographing them.
The driver is more than happy to pose for a picture. “Simba” in Swahili is Lion. Is “Tujyende Simba” Lion of Judah?
The Hebrew word “Shalom” means peace.
“Mana” is God in Kinyarwanda.
Hiace is a van used as a mini bus in Rwanda. So you can imagine what this bike can take. “Bring it on!”
How cool this bike is!
I was not a rider while in Rwanda, but I could not take my eyes of the bikes and their riders. The riders are proud, strong and they can carry anything they want and need when on their bicycles.
Sometimes with a little bit of struggle, but they can do it!
How exciting it is to take a bus in Rwanda! Is it a big bus or a small bus? Well it is a van. It can be big for 20 people or small that fits 15 people, but they are never on the road with less than 24 people squeezed in like sardines in a can.
It is a privilege to get a seat by the window. Please leave the windows open, so that the dust that is in can circulate and eventually go out. Believe me, that works!
Take the minimun necessary for your jorney or be prepared to pay for an extra seat for your luggage.
05th July 2015 – 8:44
I usually think that a picture can speak for itself.
What a lovely sunny day and a beautiful clear blue sky!
Maybe a little bit tricky to accommodate all those suitcases in 2 trucks plus 16 teachers from Scotland in 4 cars at Kigali airport, Rwanda. Everybody was very excited, maybe a little anxious of what would happen next.
Yes, it is time for a pause and a pose while my first shot is taken in Kigali. I managed to carry a world map all the way from Aberdeen to Kigali without losing it.
My husband has observed – “You have carried the world half way around it haha…”
My friend Anne Goldie also said – “got your map ready…”
Yippee! I have made it!
5th July 2015 – 7:55
LONG FLIGHT
Sleeping well on a long flight is never easy for me. However, I always hope to meet interesting people while flying abroad. A good chat is always welcome. But this time my KLM flights were very quiet from Aberdeen to Amsterdam, then Nairobi and finally Kigali.
A GOOD SEAT
I am aware that not all airplane seats are the same, but the best place for me is an aisle seat. It means that I can stretch my legs, go for a walk or to the toilet any time I want without disturbing anyone.
TEMPTING MEAL
I have to confess that I cannot ignore a meal on long flights and this one in particular carried a taste of African flavour, slightly spicy, but I really enjoyed it.
ENTERTAINMENT
The long flight was smooth and I could watch 3 films; Black and White, The Water Divine and Fifty Shades of Grey. In fact, the last one I could not finish watching it due to the time remaining. Anyway, it is always something I enjoy doing when flying long distances.
4th July 2015 – 18:37
This is the GLP cohort July 2015 at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam.
From top right to left:
John Steel, Rachel Hardin, Joyce Ng, Adam Douglas, Tim Whimster, Pamela Scott, Audrey Ross, Emma Gilmour and Christine Beard.
Down left to right:
Gill Moffat, me (Suzel O’Donnell), Suzzane Munro, Laura Ince, Jacklyn Smith, Hollie Shearer and botton Jenny Cawdron.
BON VOYAGE!
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