Ana's last day in Rwanda

Since arriving back to Kigali last Sunday after the wonderful weekend in the rainforest and on Lake Kivu, Jaime and I have really enjoyed being tourists.  I worked on Monday teaching and orienting the new volunteers from Cornell University.  We went to Republika for dinner, which is owned by a stunning Rwandan woman serving local fare on the upscale.  Jaime joined us there.

Tuesday was a day of tourism around Kigali covering the National History Museum (live snakes!), The Genocide Memorial, Kimironko open market, a coop where Rwandan widows of the genocide make amazing items out of the beautiful textiles, more Mutzig, brochettes and chips, and then a return back to the hotel and farewell hugs to Amy.  Wednesday we had a spa day at the Serena with coffee scrubs, massages, and workouts.  We ran into Tommy and Amy having a coffee after their last day rotating at the hospital and then met them at the indian restaurant for dinner.  There were more farewell hugs to follow again.  We really like those guys!

Thursday I met with Paulin to discuss some issues with the program and to say goodbye.  We met at the brand new Ubumwe Grand Hotel on the roof top lounge/bar next to the pool area.  It was definitely on another level!  An open rooftop area on the "sky high" level allowed for amazing views of most of Kigali.  It was fancy.  Jaime joined me there and then I sowed her the Mizungu market, Nakumatt and the well-known Bourbon Coffee store.  We made our way back to Heaven in the late afternoon after walking around Kigali.  For dinner we went to the Mille Colline Hotel, which is the hotel in the famous film "Hotel Rwanda."  They had live music playing the best of 80's and 90's soft rock salvaged only by the intermittent reggae songs they mastered.  This lovely bar area is set outside on a large open lawn with an impressive and tall  thatched roof bar area complete with corporate hookers and dirty old white men.  The latter was new to the scene from my past experiences at this hotel and very disturbing.  Jaime and I made it home just in time to avoid the sky opening up with torrential rain.

It's Friday morning and we are just waking up for our last day in Rwanda.  Our flight is at 1:45am tonight/tomorrow so we are planning to make the best of our time today complete with exercise and lounging.  I am definitely sad to leave Rwanda but that sadness is blunted by my excitement to visit one of the most beautiful sets of islands on the planet.

I hope you all are well!!!

Ana