Electric Avenue

How cool is this?

Got on a moto the other day and was sitting there thinking, hmm, there's something different about this.

Turned out it was one of Kigali's brand-spanking-new electric motos!

There's been a lot of talk recently about air quality in Rwanda. It's not great. But as part of the green initiative, we're now getting a load of e-motos. They're so quiet and really smooth. I'm not sure about the acceleration, because my driver kept hitting the brakes, but now and then it really seemed to go. The only giveaway that they're e-motos and not the gas guzzling type are these big silver boxes on the front. I was well impressed. And just think, no more exhaust burns.

It's been a mental week.

I signed a contract with one of the ministries to teach report writing. It's an experiment, so I need to write my own report on how successful it's been. Doing two sessions a week until the end of February. Very excited to meet the group.

January is a monster month. I've been stuck to the screen with one donor report after another. Should be over by tomorrow, then I can have some fun.

I had a tearful moment with my neighbour the other day. He and his wife came round to say Happy New Year, as we hadn't seen each other for a while. We did a present exchange and I was truly emotional as I wasn't expecting this. They brought me a big, glittery box with a gorgeous poncho. It's seriously cute. I'm wearing it as I type.

 

The only laugh was that the fluffy bit was poking out the holes when I unwrapped it and for one awful moment I thought they'd brought me another cat!

In the ongoing segment Health News, I almost lost my cool the other day. Went back to see whether the latest round of antibiotics had worked. It had partly worked, but I still have an infection. So, they sent me off to a specialist who informed me I needed to go to a lab to have a test done. He said the test would be able to determine which type of antibiotic would kill the infection. The logical thought being, could you not have done that in the first place? If there's a test that tells you which antibiotic will kill this infection, why have I been taking pot luck for the past couple of months?

I'm sure they have good reasons, it's just doctors here aren't always great at putting things in layman's terms. They can tell you percentages and test scores, but have a hard time explaining what that physically means for your body in language you'll understand. Still, I get the results on Friday, so fingers crossed we'll have this sussed soon.

Though the doctor did confirm my suspicion that a hefty dose of malaria can weaken your immune system for a while afterwards. It's not my imagination and it's not uncommon. Two doctors have  recommended I drink a lot of lemon juice. Apparently this is good for the immune system. What have I got to lose?

I'll get on it as soon as I finish this. Perry has apparently come to Kigali.

A bit sweet, but quite refreshing with a ton of ice on a hot day. 

This is a slightly tipsy post. Just got back from a very fun night. A friend invited me for dinner. A lot of people know my situation, so I think she felt I needed cheering up. It was a lot of fun. Her house is incredible, with a whole view of the city. I took a picture of my drink because it's the most sophisticated thing I've drunk in a long time. G&T with cucumber and rosemary.

Did a bit of tattoo appreciation. She's a vet and has the most gorgeous ink.

And her friend had this one. It's a protein that spells out: eat, drink, sleep, repeat.

 

She made stunning Indonesian food. Full of coconut, rice and yummy things. I could smell it halfway down the street before I arrived.  Washed down with plenty of alcohol.

Pretty Wine Lighting

Being a vet, there was plenty of pet love going on.

  

That lady with the cat - I haven't seen her in a couple of years, but she is a legend. I owe her and my vet friend so much. I don't know if you remember back in 2017 when the horrific incident happened with my kittens, but this lady above helped me storm the compound to save one of them. Sen wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for her. She's a star. And my vet friend not only saved Sen's life once, but also stitched her up when she had the mother of all hernias. There's so much love for animals amongst these guys. They are really invested in WAG, the animal rescue in Rwanda. Please, if you can, donate to them. They do amazing work.

It was such a lovely night, and caught up with a crazy lady I met at the Fulu Miziki concert. She's incredible and very much fun. We had a good laugh. 

The only thing is, I was the second oldest person at the party. I heard one guy say, "The thing about almost being thirty is..." and almost choked on my drink.  

I got into a conversation with that guy later. He was interesting. He had a theory that the reason most of us are in the country is because we're commitment phobes. We travel because of former heartache and we don't commit to anyone because we're all just passing through. We cling to the idea of transience. I see where he's coming from, and it was interesting to hear it put that bluntly. He said 'Either the people we're with leave or we do.' 

I never did relationships. I took so much convincing it was unreal. Then I was convinced and that guy left. So, yes. I see. That doesn't make it easier, but I see. 

Half the people I talked to were on their way out. Either because they'd had a job offer elsewhere or because their job here had fallen through. They were fun though. I had a good night.

Kigali at Night

Problem was, I met an Indian guy who was a Modi supporter and that kicked off the whole, 'I wonder what S would have thought of this,' narrative in my brain. I was an inch away from texting him, but my friend talked me out of it. 

I got a text message from him the other day.

Heart stopped.

Hit open.

It was a generic change-of-number mass mail out.

That was the death of hope.

I'm okay now. I realised how dumb I was being, clinging to that idea that he maybe missed me. It's like a tooth extraction, you should just get it over with quickly. Life is very short and there are lots of fun things to do. No point putting that on hold. 

I was home, still debating this, when glitter guy called. 12:30 at night. I told him 'You're only calling because you're horny.' He said, 'It's not like that.' I said 'I remember being your age, you're always horny.'

Did I mention he's very young?

I'm not sure I've got the patience for this but, against my better judgement, we're going for a drink on Friday. Maybe a band on Saturday if I haven't come to my senses. 

Honestly, I can see exactly what this is, but I don't really have anything else to do with myself right now. Like lemon juice, what exactly do I have to lose? 

Sitting here listening to the Secret World Live album. Part of my formative years. 

I can imagine the moment
Breaking out through the silence
All the things that we both might say
And the heart it will not be denied
'til we're both on the same damn side
All the barriers blown away

*

And all the time the distance grows between you and me. I do not understand.

Let's lie in this dreamer's dream. Come on, come talk to me.

(You know it's bad - and late -when you start quoting song lyrics.)

It's so difficult. I fall so hard when I eventually do, and it's annoying because people are rarely worth it. So, why not fall and have a little fun. 

I still remember when I first arrived back here. Was a little heartbroken and threw myself into the crazy life with some amazing people.

Given my age, how many more times do I get to do that? This is honestly the first time I've ever thought, 'crap, I'm aging.'

So, I've booked myself into the beauty parlour: threading, facial and henna. Got a date for the weekend. Might as well make the most of it. I'm pretty good at picking myself up off the floor. 

And, if all else fails, I could always kiss this frog in my garden.

Going to go get some sleep and think about it. Or not - thinking is overrated. I reckon we all have at least two sides. The serious one that does adulting, and the child that just wants to cut loose. So many friends who have left and I wish were here to do crazy with me, but if I have to do it on my own, I'm ready. 

Looking forward to the weekend. 

Sleepy time.