The first week!

Muraho na umwaka mushya kuva Rwanda!!
Hello and happy new years from Rwanda!!

Last week our group of volunteer teachers (14 Americans, 2 Brits, 1 Norwegian, and 1 Canadian) safely arrived in kigali, Rwanda! We are half way into our training, which has encompassed kinyarwanda language training, lesson planning seminars, classroom management tips, genocide memorials, and cultural lessons around the capital. One of the best parts of the experience is the volunteers. They are really down to earth and friendly. Moreover, we all have different backgrounds - economics, politics, teaching, engineering, science, and music, which brings unique perspectives on education, globalization, and technology in Rwanda. I have been encouraged by all of the conversations so far. Also, it seems that everywhere I turn, people are talking about renewable energy; I have already met 2 new contacts and know of a third who are working on sustainable energy.

To give you all a little taste of life in Rwanda, I've come up with a list of my top 10 first impressions of Rwanda:

1. Every morning I awaken to a cacophony of birds around 6am, as the sun begins to rise. For some reason the birds in Rwanda are five times as loud as the birds in America. Maybe it's something they eat?

2. Motos are an extremely efficient way of getting around, not to mention the excitement of riding on the back of a motorcycle and zipping around town! You can usually work out a cheap price too... about a dollar to get across the city. This brings me to my third point...

3. Bartering. It's one of my favorites. Iike it because it basically consists of two people coming to an agreement on something and it often results in a friendship being formed. It's much more interesting and relational than standing in line at wal-mart.

4. Music is almost everywhere. Walking around in the evenings there is always a church congregation singing, or people drumming or clapping to rythym.

5. Friendships are intentional here and are more freely expressed. Guys hold hands walking down the street and it's actually very confusing for a Rwandan if you consider someone to be a friend yet do not shake their hand when seeing them, but merely pass by and wave.

6. Kinyarwanda is a really hard language to learn!!!! All the verbs are irregular and if you were planning to play kinyarwandan scrabble you best bring along copious amount of the letter "u". Besides the fact that it's a lot of memorization and that words often sound alike, it is a lot of fun to speak and Rwandans love it when you speak it.

7. The food is very plain. Mainly rice, beans, and fries. But, Today I found a place that makes a mean omlette :)

8. Kigali is surprisingy clean and developed! There is a mall with a 24 hr Target-like store and a great modern coffee shop with wireless.

9. "Muzungu!!" - enough said.

10. There is not a single movie theater in Kigali that shows current films (that I'm aware of at least)! The best you can find are old country westerns or an old foreign film. Although, if you keep your eyes open some restaraunts/bars show new releases. This Saturday a restaraunts is showing Invictis!

As i write these, keep in mind that I have spent most of my time in Kigali, a pretty developed city, and that having only been here for just over a week, these are only surface first impressions; as I spend more time here I'll understand the culture on a much deeper level!!