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 can watch this film over and over again and never get tired of it.
It brings smiles, tears and memories that will never be forgotten. The trip to Rwanda began with an insatiable curiosity about the country and the people. I am still asking myself what surprised me about Rwanda. After long hours on the plane from Aberdeen (UK) to Kigali (Rwanda) I could sense greater calm. The country has some incredibly landscape with thousand of mountains. I cannot forget to mention lakes, volcanos, the local market and the greatest opportunity I had to live and feel Rwandan everyday life. I walked the wide dust street of Ruhuha and the clean street of Kigali. I saw lots of motorcycle and bicycle taxi drivers. There was so much that I had to digest emotionally, such as the genocide museums and memorials.
I also had my days of a tourist as most travellers have. I was fortunate to go gorilla mountain trekking at Volcanos National Park, explore Akagera National Park and Lake Kivu. We all had time to be on the road at the weekends and take time to relax and talk about our experiences.
Curiosity: the Rwandan people take very serious the approach which bans plastic bags since 2006. For several times I went shopping and the store provided paper bags. It works and it is really inspiring.
I was amazed with what Rwandan people can carry on their heads. The women walk with an incredible elegant posture, strength and beauty with a perfect erect neck with baskets, food and bags on their heads.
However I admit that I did not have the patience to wait for several hours to be served in the restaurants. I have no idea of what goes on in the kitchen and why it takes hours to prepare a simple salad with fries. Most of the time, I preferred to get some snack from the market such as fresh fruit, baked corn, baked potato, popcorn, yogurt and samosa.
Communication is not a problem at all. In Rwanda you can speak French, English, Kinyarwanda and a mix of the three languages. The culture, the dance and rhythm of the drums speak for themselves. I felt part of the culture.
It was a sunny day as all the other days since I arrived in Rwanda. The school was always a busy place and I used to spend time with students and teachers. That day was not different. After many hours in the library listening the students’ reading, I heard my name out loud from outside. It was a mix of anxiety, happiness and emotion when I saw my colleague from Angus, Scotland, and his family. I was delighted with the visit and the lovely experience to see familiar faces being so far from home.
What a great opportunity to take them around the school to introduce GS Rango, the staff and the students.
Literary it was Scotland in Ruhuha.
Imagine that the culture of a society is like an iceberg with some aspects that are visible above the water and that there is a larger portion of the internal aspect that is hidden below the surface.
What does it mean?
It means that some external aspects of the culture you can easily see such as, music, cooking, dancing, dress, art and literature. Underneath the surface is the internal culture where you are going to find a variety of notions and concepts that are implicit, unconscious and subjective of knowledge.
What does Hall suggest?
That if we want to understand the internal culture of a society we have to actively participate and live in it.
What did I find out?
When I first entered in the Rwandan culture I started to discover the underlying behaviour, beliefs, values and thought of patterns of who they are. I wanted to interact and spend time with them.
I can say that I love pictures, as I like taking them. However I am not a particularly good photographer, but I really like being in the photographs as do my Rwandan friends.
A picture captures moments that words cannot explain. And behind each picture lies a story.
Friendship!
Caring!
Direction!
Reunion!
We love pictures!
At the start I was not sure what expect from my trip to Rwanda, having heard a little about the country and their history. But being at GS Rango, Groupe Scolaire Rango, was inspirational and emotional. Staff and students taught me a very important lesson. How it is to live in Rango community. It is a combination of respect, friendship and happiness.
It is easy for them to share a plate of food. It does not matter what it is on the table for eating. It can be only beans or with maize, banana, rice, goat and chips. There was always someone with a big heart thinking of me. When I was late for lunch, surprisely my plate was made and reserved. That was very thoughtful!
My mum used to say “where eats six, eats seven.” She was always right!
These are some of the questions I was asked:
1- Would you move to Rwanda?
2- Would you come back?
3- How do I know my talents?
4- How to not disappoint my family if I choose a profession that is not the one that they want me to follow?
5- How long does it take to get married in Scotland?
6- What do I have to do to go abroad?
7- What are you going to leave for us that will inspire us, that will remind us that you were here?
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!
