Tag Archives: Kimirongo

Bon voyage, Business, Rwanda

LIVING COST IN RWANDA

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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.

image -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

DSC06526 -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

DSC06012 -Bus ticket in Kigali from Remera to Kimirongo – RWF 200

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-Bus ticket from Kigali (Remera) to Rwamagana RWF 1.050

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The prices are displayed on the bus. I hope the information is helpful!

 

Business

KIMIRONGO MARKET DAY

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6th July 2015 – 14:49

Doing business at Kimirongo market for me is ‘having fun.’ I just love it! Think of a market place that is colourful, vibrant, alive and a friendly environment. That is Kimirongo! It operates seven days a week and you can pop in for everything you need.

Wow! I can spend hours walking through those narrow aisles. It is a competition among the vendors selling their similar products. There are lots of sweet talking “Hello Madame!” The smiley vendors drag you to visit the stalls and check their stuff. No doubt the initial price is for a muzungu (white rich person). So I advise, get the price down if you want to pay what the locals do.

Imagine the market layout.  On one side, tailors, local craft , used clothing, shoes, fabrics…

Fabrics! Which pattern should I choose? The tailor is just there down the aisle and can make you a very fashionable Rwandan dress.

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On the other side: food…

imageEverything looks very fresh; grains, vegetables and fruits.

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Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION

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5th July 2015

We, the GLP teachers, stay in the hotel Le Printemps in Kigali. The Rwandans read “La Printa.”  It is very important to know how to pronounce the name of the hotel, just in case you get lost in the town and need some directions from the locals.

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The hotel is clean, the staff is friendly and the location is excellent.  I enjoyed the surrounding area where I  could have access to everything I needed.

There are restaurants, food shops and many banks. But I advise you may need a lot of patience. It takes about one hour to get your meal prepared and  the Banks electronic system can be very slow.  Can you wait?

I also treated myself a couple of times in a lovely saloon for a manicure and a pedicure.  It is just across the street. It has talented and kind staff. I think you have to remind them to start the pedicure first, so that it can dry while your manicure is done. Well, I did not notice it until the lady asked if I had my flip-flop with me. Of course not!

Well, as I said the location brings all the facilities,  such as  a very busy bus station. It is Kimirongo (some people say Chimirongo) and at the back of the station you will find the famous and alive market with the same name. Kimirongo market is a gem!

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