6 August 2016. It was already dark when the plane touched ground in Kigali. This was my second visit to Rwanda. The first time was back in June for a short exploration trip with Peter. A very intensive one.
This time I felt differently. Unlike the great enthusiasm so typical for the impatient tourist, I had plenty of patience and deliberately gave myself time to realize that this is our new home! At least for some time..
This was a new beginning. In a completely different world from the one we know. I recalled a puzzle from my childhood – an oval one illustrating Africa and featuring its countries, plants and animals. I’ve done it many times. There was something mysterious and magical about it. The thought that I am now going to live on this continent was (and still is) thrilling.
We went through the standard passport control and visa on arrival procedures pretty quickly and headed to the place where we were supposed to live in the first months. Two things are clearly sealed in my memory from these first moments at the airport. One is the strong smell of mosquito repellent that just hits you when you enter the airport building. Apparently, it’s just a matter of time to get used to that smell. But back then it reminded me of how important it is to take measures against Malaria in this part of the world (I will come back to this topic).
Second, the incredibly low voice in which local people speak. It was almost impossible to hear what the airport agent was saying without leaning forward and putting a great effort to understand. And it was not their English. Later on I realized speaking quietly is a common characteristic of the local communication etiquette. Several months later, I still struggle with this so I will just continue asking the people to repeat their words.
Maybe not something new for those who still remember their geography subject from school, here the days and nights are equal in length (Rwanda lies only a few degrees south from the Equator). The day starts at 5.30-6.00am and the sun goes down at around 6pm. I have always been an early bird, so the earlier start of the day works perfect for me. On the other side, I wish the day was longer, especially by this beautiful weather all year round. For someone like me who enjoys being outside until late, this can be frustrating sometimes…Nevertheless, from a purely biological point of view, it took me only several days to adapt to the earlier sunset. It’s the habit, the mind, that refuses to follow.
After a 15 minutes (!) drive, we arrived “home”. The first thing I did was to go on the balcony (I always do and can’t even image a home without a balcony even a small one). That was all I needed: a magnificent view to the city center and the Convention Center (see the picture above), sounds of crickets and frogs from the nearby artificial lake were filling the air, 20 degrees outside…There was no better start of our new life in Rwanda!
End of Part 1.
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