The Nest

Thursday, 27 May

Today we left Kigali for Musanze. It was a pleasant last breakfast and then we were off. It was a beautiful drive, up and up and up and down and up, around so many curves and hillsides. Everything was green. There were fields on steep hillsides where people would probably never farm in the United States. People were walking along the road in different parts. It was quite a ride, with changing air pressure all the time and ups and downs. Nobody got very much carsick, which was nice. I was staring out the window the whole time.

When we got to Musanze, we hung out in a parking lot for a while to stretch and stuff. People played with a foot ball, and others played games. A guard was watching us suspiciously. Then we went to the Sonrise School, a boarding high school where the Engineering team has been working the whole time. Then we hung out some more while Ms. Coldwell had a meeting. Some of us spent some time with kids by the road and took pictures and such. The headmaster of Sonrise had chased them off the property because they apparently go to a different school.

We had a tour of the school, which was neat. They have computer labs and IT people teach those classes. I got to speak with an amazing student who is our equivalent of a junior in high school, I think. His name is Emanuel, and he is so well-spoken and wise. He wants to go to school in the United States and become an engineer. He also enjoys public speaking. He told us, “I don’t know if I’m smart, but God is very smart and He gives me the brain.” He is remarkable.

Travis entertained some students with his awesome dance/miming. Then we saw the water purification system that the engineers have been working on. It is impressive, although I don’t understand much of how it works. But their hard work means that the students can have clean water right there at the school. That’s so great.

And at last we arrived at the Gorilla’s Nest, a fantastic, peaceful place where we spent the next two nights. As we came out of the bus they gave us small warm towels to refresh us (which has also happened on the plane and at restaurants - I could get used to that...and did). After moving our stuff in, some of us played Nertz for a while before joining others for Frisbee fun. Allison’s skirt ripped so she just tore off the bottom part and made it a little shorter yet still appropriate and fashionable. Allison is hardcore.

The view from our porch is a hill going down to trees which stretch to far-off mountains. On our right are the volcanoes. The place is designed as a little village of individual cottages, some of which have grass on top and remind me of Hobbiton. It felt like a pleasant English neighbourhood.

Before supper, we gathered by the campfire to watch a traditional dance group. They were so fun and at the end got nearly everyone to join in. It was exceedingly pleasant. Then the sun went down, we ate with the amazing Engineering team, and I basically went to bed right after that. My roommate, however, stayed up very late. :) Typical.


Things of note:
• Nick and Campbell colliding mid-jump is hilarious.
• Joel falling down a hill is equally as hilarious.
• Rwandan speed bumps really work.
• Rwanda has its own smell.
• The excitement and happiness that people show about us muzungus makes it seem as though we are innately awesome. What is really so special about us? I’m not sure.