law breaking & singleness

Muraho!

I've managed to break the law twice this week. Firstly, I was driving back from my Kinyarwanda class in the dark and due to a combination of stupid mzungu and a bus stopped in the middle of the road with hazard lights on, i ended up jumping a red light. Of course there were lots of policemen around at that particular spot, so despite having not endangered anybody's life, i was stopped and told that i was going to be punished. I smiled sweetly and explained that i was a stupid mzungu who only just arrived in the country. So for a small fee and my mobile number (not entirely sure why he needed it) I was allowed to go home. What a rebel i am becoming.

Second rebellion occured on saturday morning. Rwanda has Umuganda day on the last saturday of every month. This is a day when everybody is legally obliged to work together on community projects like planting trees or building a wall. Literally everybody does it including parliamentary ministers. The aim is reconcilliation and to help build community after the Genocide. Very good idea methinks. So this happened between 7am and 11:30am on saturday. In my wisdom, I decided to go for my first run in Rwanda that very morning. There weren't many people on the streets except a few groups of people gathered to do their Umuganda. Although I could not actually be arrested since I'm not Rwandan, i have learned since then that its best to stay indoors during Umuganda to avoid upsetting policemen. So I blatantly flaunted the regulations but thankfully didn't get stopped by the police for the second time in a week!

My concluding thoughts after my week of rebellious behaviour - don't jump red lights, take part in Umuganda or stay in bed on Umuganda days! I think its all part of learning the way a new country works.

Another thing I have encountered is that apparently I am a very eiligible woman. I have been set up several times and frequently asked if I have a husband/boyfriend. Almost the second thing introduced about me to new people, after my name, is '...and she's single'. As my workmate said today - i'm white, educated and young, thus making me eligible. It is maybe not so strange not to be married but not to have a boyfriend meets with the response - why? - I'm never quite sure how much detail to give. So between parking attendants and work colleagues, i should be able to find myself a Rwandan man.

other news
I have a house! I've found a nice 3 bed place just round the corner from all the other ODIs. Its over 2 floors, so I have a porch to sit and watch the sun go down over Kigali, as well as a balcony off the master ensuite bedroom. It is a sweet place, not big relative to other houses I've seen but more than adequate for me and the odd visitor. I have a couple of weeks before moving in and I'll need to buy some furniture - but I have a home :)

Work has been going slowly but I am getting to know my work colleague better. Most of the rest of the office have been busy discussing the 2008 budget in Parliament which leaves me slightly useless since I don't speak Kinyarwanda and don't know the 2008 budget!

The Kinyarwanda classes are tough but good. The teacher doesn't speak much english so my french is being improved alongside the kinyarwanda. Once i can string something meaningful together, i'll let you know!

Murabeho xx