Big Brother Kigali

Now, before reading this, I would like to clarify that i am happy and enjoying life in Kigali at the moment, despite the odd frustrations. Perhaps its the proximity of my trip back home that or just the nature of expat life i becoming more real, i don't know. But the following musings all popped into my head after reading about BB9 which i hear has just launched in the UK.

When reading about the new BB9 house and the tactics channel4 will be using to basically create insanity in the housemates, i began to wonder whether the Big Brother environment in some way simulates the life of an expat in Kigali (and other small cities in Africa). Let me explain.

In the new BB house, they have faceless manikins along the walls to increase stress levels in feeling that they are always being watched. Now, i walk down the street and almost every eye is watching the muzungu - or at least you can feel like it. When we go for dinner or to parties, it is often the same bunch of people socialising. Our manikins may not be faceless, but you certainly feel like you are always being watched.

In BB, it is several months spent with the same people. Not very much different to Kigali.

No housemate can say or do anything in the house without everyone knowing about it. Unfortunately, not too dissimilar to Kigali.

The housemates spend a lot of time lying in the sun, sleeping, sitting around doing not very much. Again, i also spend a lot of time sitting in the sun, sleeping and sitting around not doing very much.

BB gives the housemates treats at controlled times. We only get treats when the post arrives or friends/family visits with lots of treats.

BB creates situations and tests to create tension between housemates. I can think of several situations that have been created which have created tension.

Housemates can get woken very early in the morning by loud music. My alarm is loud and wakes me early every morning to start work at 7am.

Housemates are not allowed to see friends or family from home for the time they are in the house. Okay, i've had visitors, but it isn't exactly easy to see people back home.

Having said all that, there are many many good things about Kigali. Interacting with a new culture, learning to play tennis, having your view of the world expanded and being challenged in ways you could never be at home. So there are differences as well, thankfully. But somehow, i feel like i understand a little of the pressure the BB housemates are put under...maybe it is actually an interesting social experiment after all, rather than just a naff tv show...

so, if i'm in Big Brother Kigali...that makes you Big Brother and this the Diary Room...any insightful questions you'd like to ask?