Getting used to Kigali life

It is sunday evening and i'm beginning to get into the chilled Kigali pace of life. I really didn't think I would, but I've been missing the buzz of London. There really are not many things to do in Kigali and I'm not very good at just chilling out...but i'm learning. Lots of books will get read methinks!

Wednesday I met my boss for the first time. He was very welcoming and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into work. I guess one of the main reasons for being here is to work, so until I get into that, it will be difficult to feel settled. He has sent me lots of documents to read and help get me orientated as to what the budget department does and how it fits into the development plans for Rwanda.

Another new thing I did this week was driving on the (wrong) left side of the road. I have been using, and considering buying, a previous ODI fellows car. The traffic really isn't bad here, not the stereotypical African city. My first time, I came home slightly shaky and feeling like I'd been through a traumatic experience but I'm used to it now. Although, last night there was a slightly nerve-racking jaunt around town after dark where I was the stupid mzungu going down the one-way streets the wrong way and generally getting lost. But the main problem is that there are no street signs of any description so it is very very easy to get lost and end up getting whistled at for going the wrong way. Apart from that, i'm a great driver :)

I met Laurie this morning who took me along to Christ Church Rwanda. She is a friend of a friend at St Helen's. The church is small which I like. It has only been around for 6months and is run by American missionaries but there is a mix of expats and Rwandaise. We went for lunch afterwards with Tineke (who will be working with Alasdair when he arrives) and her flat mate. It was so so great to meet them and get to know them a little bit. I was struck by how ungrateful I have been this week. I have been missing home quite a bit at times and just generally finding Kigali so different to my life in London. But how foolish am I for ever thinking Kigali would be like London!! God has provided in so many ways that I have taken for granted, and that I in no way deserve. I am going to stop comparing life here to London and start being thankful for the new people to meet and things to do.