WE MADE IT!

We made it to Rwanda! 

It’s 5:20am and I can’t sleep. My internal clock is still a little mixed up, but I am actually feeling quite well and don’t feel that jetlagged.  After 5 horizontal hours and a mercifully hot shower, I am ready to take on the world.

Our flight from Amsterdam was 8.5 hours and it went quite well, in relative terms. I drifted in and out of consciousness, and KLM can’t be faulted for its food. We were on a monstrously huge plane that appeared to be jam packed, with one exception: the seat next to mine. Hallelujah, I couldn’t have been happier if I had won the lottery. Apparently there are two classes of economy now: 1. Econony Economy.  2. Comfort Economy.  I should say the seats were actually much more comfortable in the regular economy. Oh well, I do expect to be fully recovered emotionally, mentally and physically from these flights in time to face the flights home. Yet, I can’t complain because now there are direct flights to Kigali from Europe. My first journey to Rwanda involved five flights and was 36 hours long; I recall arriving in Kigali so tired, gross and miserable that I was convinced that Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome was inevitability. This time around the journey was 41 hours, BUT I had a 24 hour layover in Amsterdam and only had two flights. I can’t tell you what a difference that makes!

We arrived into Kigali at about 8pm, and it was 25C and humid. It smelled like Rwanda. Arriving into Kigali I felt like I was coming home. I know this sounds trite and cliché, but it really did and I know this largely a function of who I was with.  From the moment I got off the plane and walked on the tarmac towards the airport, I felt comfortable and at ease. Everything felt familiar.

So after breezing through Immigration, we were met by Lama, Billy and Warren. Lama is our host and Billy is Lama’s cousin with whom we are working to arrange some of the logistics. Warren is our good friend from London, England. Warren is also the famed author of ‘The Go Away Bird’ which is a tale that partially takes place in Rwanda during the genocide in 1994.

Anyhow, both Shannon and I were so pleased to see everyone. Funny thing is that the first time I met Shannon, Warren and Lama was on my first adventure to Rwanda in September 2009. Just over two years later, here I am again feeling so lucky to be all together again. I must thank Rwanda for this is the country that introduced me to my partner and to two very good friends. Indeed, looking back I can’t even image what my life would look like now if I hadn’t gone to Rwanda; it’s inconceivable.

Driving to our hotel the lights of Kigali appeared the same as I had left them 2 years ago. We arrived to our hostel (Hostel St. Paul) and the nun in charge leisurely registered us.   As we got registered, a friendly stranger schooled me with a quick lesson in Kinyarwanda and how to say  “thank you very much.”

After dropping off our bags, we took a short walk down the road to a bar/restaurant for some food and drink before bed. What was intended to be a relatively quick meal before bed inevitably turned into hours of catching up, talking and hanging out. We indulged in some Rwandan beer and ate some beef brochettes and fries; of course no Rwandan meal would be complete without fries!

The young staff working at the restaurant was super friendly and embodied the spirit of Rwanda I appreciate so much.  In my first hours of being back here, the strangers we met absolutely confirmed for me what I have believed all along about Rwanda. Their hugs, smiles, keen interest and desire to engage with felt redeeming, lest I had been romantizing about Rwanda in my absence there. 

The young staff made such an effort to speak English and they were not shy to practice with us.  I went to the men’s room and even as I peed, the young man next to me took the opportunity to practice his English. “I love you white man” was the best way he could express yourself, and it made me laugh. For the record, this was a staff member, and he was neither drunk or being inappropriate. I think he was trying to say something more like: “I am glad you are here.” I should say how cool it is to feel welcomed and appreciated.

After dinner we walked home and hit the sack. I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

 I have been talking about Rwanda for the past year and trying to get people to experience it.  Rwanda is very far away and it’s not cheap to get here, so I understand it isn’t easy for people. I had hoped I could get a larger group for this inaugural Development Tour in Rwanda, and ‘selling’ this experience is a tiring process. After a while, the countless “No’s” are enough to make one feel slightly demoralized; the rejections can make one start to question if what they have been talking about is true. 

This first evening was a good start I am pleased to report that in the first hours of my arrival, any lingering doubt or despair I was feeling has vanished.  The warmth and authenticity I had come to expect from Rwanda is the same. I needed Rwanda to be what I remembered and it is already glaringly obvious to me that it is.

Today we are going to get organized and shore up some of the last minute logistics. Then, we meet Janet and Steve at airport.

At this moment I am, at once, feeling relieved and excited. I am relieving to know that I will leave Rwanda with the renewed conviction and inspiration I will need to fulfill my mission to introduce more people to the land. I am excited for a whole host of reasons, but I think I can sum it up in one word: RWANDA!!!!