Settling In

Been wanting to post this since yesterday but im having problems uploading photos so decided to post the text and upload photos later (hopefully)........

I wanted to wait a while before writing my next post a) because I have no intention of boring you to death with minuscule detail and b) because I wanted to settle in a little and try and give you a flavor for what my life is like out here.

So the setting is this: sat on the veranda whilst the sun is fading in the distance against the backdrop of laughter from girls and boys playing in the village. There are birds discussing the politics of the week interspersed with the occasional murmur of dogs barking in the distance. The smell reminds me of my early memories of living in South Africa; burnt wood, must and a certain freshness...I feel alive.

Now to the week’s goings on...well Thursday was the official launch of my project where I met with my manager who is also the regional director. My first two projects are going to be working on an analysis of the Ethiopia Commodities Exchange and something called the Kenya Second Window. Both are fascinating and I have spent most of my time this week immersing myself in the data and building a broad picture of both projects. Next week I will start to connect with the relevant people in Kenya and Ethiopia (Coffee Board, Exporters, and Producers etc) to arrange meetings in the coming weeks...looking very forward!!

Outside of work I’m starting to actually form something that resembles a life here. I have stopped getting lost on my daily commute (which consists of a fifteen minute 'trek' through dirt roads) and am begging to recognize some familiar faces. Having said this, my neighbors are still quite amazed to see a westerner living amongst them and they often run out of their houses shouting Mizungo (White Man) as I pass. Some are even more bold and will often start talking to me in perfect English about life in Kigali and how they hope they can help and just as I think I have found a new friend, they drop the dreaded 'so will you pay for my university?' I often explain that in Europe, questions like that usually come after one has formed a bit of a rapport...

On Wednesday we went to the bar in the British embassy for drinks which was mainly ex pats and the upper echelons of Rwandan society. We then went on to dinner and had an outstanding Indian meal (yes by international standards as well). Last night was a lot of fun being the first Shabbat dinner I think Kigali has seen. We all made a dish and those who were not familiar with the proceedings were very keen to learn and join in. Today was interesting - went to an excellent coffee shop called Bourbon this morning. Their head Barista was super knowledgeable and of course I engaged him in an hour’s discussion about specialty coffee, brewing methods etc. 4 Espressos, 1 latte and a small French press later I was sufficiently caffeinated to continue with my day.

Next up was my first haircut at a local barber...what an experience! I walked in there at 12:00 and left at 3:00pm. After an hour’s delay the 1hr30 long head massage and pretty decent cut was warmly welcomed. Tomorrow we are having a BBQ at the house and playing five a side football in the evening (apparently the PM is going to be playing...watch those late tackles!!)

Not even a week and although clichéd; it certainly does feel a whole lot longer. I truly am starting to feel settled in Kigali.

---

---