Serge and Isabella met me at the airport, then took me out to lunch. Spent some time getting to know them that afternoon at their house, before coming to Dora's. Dora is the wonderful Rwandan lady who has kindly offered to share her house with me for the next 8 months.
We drove in the dark on bumpy dirt roads for about twenty minutes before coming to a stop. The house appears to be in quite a deprived area, scheduled for demolition in the next few months. We scrambled down a steep hill, carefully avoiding the ditch at the bottom and entered through a corrugated iron gate which can't be locked. We came in through the kitchen, taking care not to knock over the cooking pots on the floor (everythng is cooked on charcoal). The room was filled with smell of smoke and rice. Initially I thought that the house consited of just two rooms, but later discovered that it is actually very big with 7 rooms. When Dora got back from work, Jen and Serge left and there I was, seemingly alone in the Rwandan bush. To be honest, when I first arrived I was a bit scared. But spending time with Dora and Alice (another housemate) that first evening put my mind at rest. Dora and Alice are both really sweet. (Dora phones me several times a day to make sure I'm ok!) Dora's house is actually really nice. She's got a massive dining room and lounge, much bigger than average in the UK, and three large bedrooms. Cold running water in the bathroom, and a jerry can filled with hot water. (They boil water in the evening then wrap the can up in blankets in the washbin to keep it warm). I have a bucket and a cup for showering.
We drove in the dark on bumpy dirt roads for about twenty minutes before coming to a stop. The house appears to be in quite a deprived area, scheduled for demolition in the next few months. We scrambled down a steep hill, carefully avoiding the ditch at the bottom and entered through a corrugated iron gate which can't be locked. We came in through the kitchen, taking care not to knock over the cooking pots on the floor (everythng is cooked on charcoal). The room was filled with smell of smoke and rice. Initially I thought that the house consited of just two rooms, but later discovered that it is actually very big with 7 rooms. When Dora got back from work, Jen and Serge left and there I was, seemingly alone in the Rwandan bush. To be honest, when I first arrived I was a bit scared. But spending time with Dora and Alice (another housemate) that first evening put my mind at rest. Dora and Alice are both really sweet. (Dora phones me several times a day to make sure I'm ok!) Dora's house is actually really nice. She's got a massive dining room and lounge, much bigger than average in the UK, and three large bedrooms. Cold running water in the bathroom, and a jerry can filled with hot water. (They boil water in the evening then wrap the can up in blankets in the washbin to keep it warm). I have a bucket and a cup for showering.
I have my own room with a double bed and a big double window. I went to bed with the windows wide open, to the sound of the crickets, frogs and people in the street. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that first night. I felt really insecure, not knowing how safe the neighbourhood was or how effective the bars on the windows were at keeping intruders out! But in the morning I was able to explore the neighbourhood and I feel really safe here now. And Dora's house is great – very comfortable and nicely decorated.
In fact, i'm getting on really well!
In fact, i'm getting on really well!
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