We went into town yesterday, which was is always an interesting experience. I got nice fabrics (like the one below) for table cloths, etc. So I’m going to attempt to describe what it’s like to be here. It’s amazing how many people come out here to visit the mountain gorillas every day. Yet they rarely venture out of their hotel’s view since they’re only in town for a day or two at most. Each hotel has a restaurant and gift shop, enough that you really wouldn’t need to leave. As a result, the mizungus (rich white tourists) are kept away from the locals. Once you leave your compound, you’re never alone. People stare a lot. They sometimes stop in their tracks. They practice bits of French with you...bonjour mizungu. They laugh. They whisper. They try to get your attention. It’s like you’re a novelty. And even though it isdifferent and necessary to get used to, it’s not dangerous here. People don’t try to touch or grab you. It’s safe to walk alone outside of town.

So even though a lot of locals are able to speak some French, I’m really trying to pick up some Kenyarwanda and practicing every day. This further amuses locals, since only see a few mizungus in town every month and don’t expect it. So it sometimes backfires when I ask someone something very simple, like how they are doing, at which point they respond in several sentences. 

A little vocab lesson (I know, I know...you've been dying to learn some Kenyarwanda)

White person/rich tourist........... mizungu

good morning.............................. mwaramutse

hello.............................................. muraho

goodbye....................................... murabeho

thank you..................................... murakoze

thank you very much................. murakoze cyane

you’re welcome.......................... murakaza neza 

how are you?.............................. bite / amakuru

I’m fine.......................................... nmeza

I don’t understand...................... simbyumva

yes................................................. yego

no.................................................. oya

water............................................. amazi

coffee............................................ ikawa

passion fruit................................. amatunda

The view from our front porch

Saw this when we went into a shop to get some extra keys made. There were a ton of these happy keys all over the walls.