Crazy Foreigner

Sometimes I wonder how things actually get done around here. I went to a meeting today and after everyone was at least 15 minutes late, people talked more about the process of the meeting instead of the topic at hand. Also whenever I go to Kigali on business a 3 hour trip…turns into 5 or 6. I’m learning that’s just how it is around here. I’m learning how not to get frustrated when things don’t happen as you hope or plan.

A few days ago Solomon and I were talking. He asked how long I will be here for and I said around 1 year. He told me that I need to stay 10 years because who is he going to laugh at if I’m gone. I was very touched by his question and response. We do laugh a lot together and have a great time. I get into rants sometimes on how things should be here or when the persistent Israeli inside of me comes out and all he does is laugh. I have my share of laughs at/with him also. There’s one instance that I wish he was there for…I even had to laugh at myself…

I’ve been trying for over 2 weeks to get sawdust for the floor of the chicken coop. We bought all of our furniture from a company in Kigali and they agreed to provide with the sawdust from the making of furniture. All we need to do is bring the sacs and they will fill them for us. I sent others to do it and it never seemed to happen. I decided to take matters into my own hands. First I went to bring the sacs and it was very easy to make happen. Others tried before and it wasn’t so easy. One of the drivers tried to pick up the filled sacs and they wouldn’t let him get them (still not really sure why not). Again I had to go to Kigali to get them. I walked into the building and was greeted by someone who worked there. I told him about the sacs and he said to wait that he would get a manager. After a few minutes I went back up to him and said that I know where to go and it I could just walk in. He said sure and I headed in. I got many stares as I walked past many workers. I walked into the area with the wood and found the sacs. I looked around aimlessly to find the man that I know speaks English. I know the workers must have been thinking who is this crazy foreigner. I asked where we should bring the car to pick them up. I was told to drive around to the back. After arriving to the back, I asked where the area with the wood was located. They looked at me as if I was crazy. They asked who I spoke to inside. I told them that I was just inside and told to drive around here. I got many blank stares. I decided again to take matters into my own hand and just walked in (normally I would not do this, but I knew I was supposed to be there). After a few minutes the security guard realized to just walked in and began to follow me. I went to get the sacs and he realized everything was okay. I was a funny scene though. After loading up the 11 full sacs, the guard asked for amafuranga (one of the few Kinyarwanda words that I know) which means money. I laughed and said oya amafuranga (no money!) and I finally got the sacs! I told Solomon the story and I course be enjoyed a good laugh.