We have planned most of our weekends here in Rwanda. Each and every one of them has turned out amazing. The four-day weekend after our first week of volunteering at a hospital, however, might be my favorite weekend so far.
Friday morning Katie, Megan, and I packed our bags for the longest weekend we would have. We walked into town to try to find our city’s bus stop, which took about an hour, and hopped on a two-hour bus that took us to Kigali. At Nyabagogo, the large bus station in Kigali, we navigated through the crowd of people who were also traveling and took our seats for the over three-hour drive to the small city of Kibuye.
Friday morning Katie, Megan, and I packed our bags for the longest weekend we would have. We walked into town to try to find our city’s bus stop, which took about an hour, and hopped on a two-hour bus that took us to Kigali. At Nyabagogo, the large bus station in Kigali, we navigated through the crowd of people who were also traveling and took our seats for the over three-hour drive to the small city of Kibuye.
As we entered the small town with only a cluster of shops at its center, I rode my first moto to the hostel we were going to stay in for the next few days. Home Saint Jean, the hostel, is a cozy place with a restaurant, rooms, and the most amazing view of Lake Kivu.
Lake Kivu is a large body of water that separates the Democratic Republic of Congo from the country we have called home for the past month. Kibuye is one of the few towns that sits right on the water. There are two very lucky participants from the program that are working in this city, Peter Dobbs, a student from Wisconsin, and Brian Matovu, a student from Uganda.
Our friends were kind enough to show us around their town after we checked into our room and took us to a local bar where I enjoyed the typical Rwandan bar food, brochettes and potatoes. We were accompanied by Peter and Brian’s BMET, Norman, who was apparently the most popular guy in town. Norman, Peter, and Brian then took us to a different bar to watch one of the Euro Cup matches. We ordered a few beers and enjoyed the match at our dimly lit table. We walked back to our hostel and rested our heads.
Our friends were kind enough to show us around their town after we checked into our room and took us to a local bar where I enjoyed the typical Rwandan bar food, brochettes and potatoes. We were accompanied by Peter and Brian’s BMET, Norman, who was apparently the most popular guy in town. Norman, Peter, and Brian then took us to a different bar to watch one of the Euro Cup matches. We ordered a few beers and enjoyed the match at our dimly lit table. We walked back to our hostel and rested our heads.
That Saturday morning, we enjoyed breakfast and explored the surrounding area of the hostel (as I mentioned we were very close to the lake). We found a spot to sit and enjoy the view, while we waited for a few other participants to arrive.
Around lunchtime, we met the rest of our little group in town to get snacks to take to the Lake for lunch. In town I bought samosas and tiny bananas. We walked down the road to a small lake access, paid 500 franks (which is less than a US dollar) and enjoyed our afternoon. We grabbed a couple of chairs, put them on the shore (which was only about a foot long) and relaxed. I ordered a Skol, a local Rwandan beer, and ate my snacks while finally tanning. It was the first time I had worn shorts in over a month.
While I was sitting in our little plastic chairs, I couldn’t help but think about how Africa has so much to offer. I would look out on the horizon and I would think that I could have never imagined such a beautiful view.
After some time in the sun, a few of us went for a swim. The water was clear and the perfect temperature. As you may have noticed, I haven’t had the usual summer experience so far. But in that moment, it really did feel like summer vacation. We had a week of work, then we were swimming in one of the most exotic places I have ever seen.
After some time in the sun, a few of us went for a swim. The water was clear and the perfect temperature. As you may have noticed, I haven’t had the usual summer experience so far. But in that moment, it really did feel like summer vacation. We had a week of work, then we were swimming in one of the most exotic places I have ever seen.
Sadly, the sun was setting on our day of bliss, but not with out saving the best views for last. Ladies in gentlemen, you have not seen a sunset until you have seen the sun set on Lake Kivu.
After an afternoon on the lake, we went back to the hostel so the new arrivals could check in and we could all freshen up before we went out for dinner. The group went to the same bar that the Musanze girls had gone to the night before and I ordered the same thing. (It happens.) Only this time, because of the large party we had, we had to wait a while before we got our food. Once the food was scarfed down, we walked back to Home Saint Jean and we were able to watch another soccer match. Then it was off to bed for me.
We woke up the next morning, ate breakfast, then Katie and I walked around to try to find out where the Sunday mass was going to be held (since a worker at the hostel told me it would not be at the church). So as we walked down the road, we heard drums and followed the sound until we reached an area with tents right by the lake. I went to Mass by the wonderful Lake Kivu! It was a magical and awe-inspiring experience. Even though I only understood a few words out of the entire three-hour mass, complete with baptisms, I enjoyed every second of it.
We woke up the next morning, ate breakfast, then Katie and I walked around to try to find out where the Sunday mass was going to be held (since a worker at the hostel told me it would not be at the church). So as we walked down the road, we heard drums and followed the sound until we reached an area with tents right by the lake. I went to Mass by the wonderful Lake Kivu! It was a magical and awe-inspiring experience. Even though I only understood a few words out of the entire three-hour mass, complete with baptisms, I enjoyed every second of it.
Once we hiked up a hill to reach the others, I changed into my bathing suit and walked over to the beach access once more. But this time we went on a boat ride! Floating across the water on a small boat, we traveled to two separate islands that both had tall trees that we climbed and jumped off of! We spent a couple of hours exploring the islands, jumping of those trees, and swimming near the islands. It was a blast!
We ended the day with a meal at the hostel that we were all staying at. We sat and talked, like we had been doing for the entire weekend. Afterwards, we all went to the small apartment that we decided to split for that night and stayed up a while and enjoyed each others company.
The next morning was Monday and we did not have to go into work. But since the town of Kibuye is a ways away from Musanze, we spent most of the day on the road. We had plenty of time to reach our destination, and I was engaging myself with a few books (which has been amazing since I haven’t read in a while). We settled back into Musanze Manor and prepared ourselves for our second week on the job.
This weekend was one of my favorites for many reasons. The reason that holds the most weight would have to be the relaxing atmosphere that held constant the entire weekend. Because we have had bigger plans for most other weekends, and our time in between has either been spent at school or at the hospital. It was a treat to be able to just wake up and see where the day took us. I love to be out and about, but I also love to sit back and relax. And this weekend, with the amazing group of friends that I have on this trip, has blessed me with the perfect opportunity to unwind. I now feel rejuvenated to finish out this second half of the program!
Thank you for reading!
The next morning was Monday and we did not have to go into work. But since the town of Kibuye is a ways away from Musanze, we spent most of the day on the road. We had plenty of time to reach our destination, and I was engaging myself with a few books (which has been amazing since I haven’t read in a while). We settled back into Musanze Manor and prepared ourselves for our second week on the job.
This weekend was one of my favorites for many reasons. The reason that holds the most weight would have to be the relaxing atmosphere that held constant the entire weekend. Because we have had bigger plans for most other weekends, and our time in between has either been spent at school or at the hospital. It was a treat to be able to just wake up and see where the day took us. I love to be out and about, but I also love to sit back and relax. And this weekend, with the amazing group of friends that I have on this trip, has blessed me with the perfect opportunity to unwind. I now feel rejuvenated to finish out this second half of the program!
Thank you for reading!