So a few weeks ago as I was perusing kigalilife (basically virtual classifieds), I came across an advertisement for a cheap flight deal to Nairobi for Valentine's Day. My friend and fellow teacher, Elizabeth, was in the office when I made this (verbal) realization. She said, "Let's go!" and I said, "Okay."
So the next day we ventured into town to buy the plane tickets at Rwandair. It was not a completely smooth process (never has been), but we received an unimaginable showing of customer service when they told us "It is not possible" to purchase tickets at the advertised rate. At which point I referred to the fact that Rwandair had given me trouble in the past. Josephine asked for it, so I gave it to her. All of the problems I've had with Rwandair. And you know what happened? She called her boss, and he gave us the tickets for the cheap price. What a feat! For those of you who have never tried to do any business in Rwanda, let it be known that the customer is NEVER right and unwritten terms and conditions exist EVERYWHERE. Possible things are often deemed impossible, to which I want to tell them, "ALL things are possible." But they won't hear it. But that day, in that Rwandair office, the IMPOSSIBLE happened. Rapture ensued and Elizabeth started counting down the days to our mini-vacation.
Last Thursday, I went to teach my boys English and then scooted home to pack and go to sleep. Our flight left at 4am (EEK!) so my sleep was frequently interrupted, first by my alarm telling me to go to the taxi and then once I was in the airport by the man telling me to board the plane and on the airplane by my 4:15am full English breakfast then in the taxi by our arrival at our destination: Milimani Backpacker's Hostel.
I'm not going to share with you a detailed description of each thing we did, but rather a quick rundown of activities we were able to participate in.
We went to Nakumatt where we saw Honey Bunches of Oats and cheddar cheese!
We went to the National Archives Museum and the Railway Museum!
We went to Yaya Center and Sarit Center and West Gate Mall milled around the malls for a bit!
I got my hair cut at a real salon!
We ate Lebanese food with my friend Kim who I met in Musanze last year!
We went to the Maasai market!
We went ice skating!
We ate ostrich meatballs, leg of lamb, lamb sausages, chicken legs, beef, turkey, crocodile, ox balls, camel, pork ribs, and pork sausages at Carnivore!
We bought books at multiple bookstores!
We rode a matatu from city center all the way to the end of its route in some village (accidentally) but then made it back to our destination (Village Market)!
We went to an organic food store!
We read books and drank fresh squeezed juice at a juice bar!
We went bowling!
We watched a movie in a movie theater!
I ate a grilled turkey, bacon, and cheddar sandwich and cheesecake at Java House!
We bought cereal and cheddar cheese and granola bars!
And we made it back to Kigali in one piece to teach our lovely children school yesterday (on International Women's Day).
So the next day we ventured into town to buy the plane tickets at Rwandair. It was not a completely smooth process (never has been), but we received an unimaginable showing of customer service when they told us "It is not possible" to purchase tickets at the advertised rate. At which point I referred to the fact that Rwandair had given me trouble in the past. Josephine asked for it, so I gave it to her. All of the problems I've had with Rwandair. And you know what happened? She called her boss, and he gave us the tickets for the cheap price. What a feat! For those of you who have never tried to do any business in Rwanda, let it be known that the customer is NEVER right and unwritten terms and conditions exist EVERYWHERE. Possible things are often deemed impossible, to which I want to tell them, "ALL things are possible." But they won't hear it. But that day, in that Rwandair office, the IMPOSSIBLE happened. Rapture ensued and Elizabeth started counting down the days to our mini-vacation.
Last Thursday, I went to teach my boys English and then scooted home to pack and go to sleep. Our flight left at 4am (EEK!) so my sleep was frequently interrupted, first by my alarm telling me to go to the taxi and then once I was in the airport by the man telling me to board the plane and on the airplane by my 4:15am full English breakfast then in the taxi by our arrival at our destination: Milimani Backpacker's Hostel.
I'm not going to share with you a detailed description of each thing we did, but rather a quick rundown of activities we were able to participate in.
We went to Nakumatt where we saw Honey Bunches of Oats and cheddar cheese!
We went to the National Archives Museum and the Railway Museum!
We went to Yaya Center and Sarit Center and West Gate Mall milled around the malls for a bit!
I got my hair cut at a real salon!
We ate Lebanese food with my friend Kim who I met in Musanze last year!
We went to the Maasai market!
We went ice skating!
We ate ostrich meatballs, leg of lamb, lamb sausages, chicken legs, beef, turkey, crocodile, ox balls, camel, pork ribs, and pork sausages at Carnivore!
We bought books at multiple bookstores!
We rode a matatu from city center all the way to the end of its route in some village (accidentally) but then made it back to our destination (Village Market)!
We went to an organic food store!
We read books and drank fresh squeezed juice at a juice bar!
We went bowling!
We watched a movie in a movie theater!
I ate a grilled turkey, bacon, and cheddar sandwich and cheesecake at Java House!
We bought cereal and cheddar cheese and granola bars!
And we made it back to Kigali in one piece to teach our lovely children school yesterday (on International Women's Day).
When you are going to Nairobi then visit National Archives Museum and the Railway Museum.
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