The End is Nigh

Now that my time in Rwanda is so very near its end, I find myself in turn being either dreadfully sentimental about the things I shall miss or so glad that there are things I will not have to go through once I am home.  A few nights ago, as I hurtled up and down the hills of Kigali on the back of a motorbike, I thought about how much I shall miss this.  It is a nice way to travel.  But I shall not miss the edge of danger that always surrounds each journey – especially having witnessed so many accidents and having experienced one myself.

I will miss the lovely climate of Rwanda.  It is nearly always t-shirt weather.  But I won’t miss the dreadful downpours of rain that make it almost impossible to get on and do anything – not even have a conversation as the sound of the rain on the tin roof is so loud.

I will not miss being called Muzungu and being stared at.  Or the children and adults who ask me for money just because I am white and considered to be rich.  I will not miss the 2 hour waits for the food I ordered in a restaurant or the lack of choice in a supermarket.  However, I won’t have the joy of walking along the street and having a small child hold onto mine as we walk along together.  Or others who run up to shake hands or hug my legs.

I will miss the ridiculous joy experienced now when I walk into a supermarket that appears to stock nice food – when in reality it may be the kind of shop I would not spend a minute in at home before choosing to leave.  I am looking forward to being able to walk into a shop and purchase a pint of fresh milk, which I can either drink or pour over a large bowl of cereal.  I will look back fondly at the time I stood in Ndoli’s supermarket and wept and laughed with joy at the fact that the chocolate aisle had once again been replenished with Cadbury’s chocolate after a six month absence of it. 

The beautiful skies, which seem so big compared to the UK – I am not sure how that is possible, but they do.  And spread out below them green and brown hills and valleys looking lush and fertile.  I will have to go back to stressing about things like money and time.  No more laid back approach if the bus breaks down, it changes destination, or the rain makes it impossible to travel down a particular route.

The interesting shop names will be another sad loss.  I am still searching for the best: Holy Best Hardware and God is Able Forex are two favourites.  Along with the New Orange Kink hardware store.

There will be no one to talk to on the bus or the tube.  All eyes will be purposely directed away from any possible eye contact and to start a conversation with a stranger will be seen as a mental defect on my part.  On the plus side I am not going to be constantly asked for my telephone number or email when I have only just met someone so that we can “make the conversation”.

I am going to miss the people who have been so kind to me whilst I am here.  The staff I have worked with in the schools who greet me with hugs and make me feel welcome.  I will miss so much, but I know I am ready to leave and I hope one day I will be back.