It’s my first day in a week long visit to Kigali, Rwanda. We landed in Entebbe, Uganda on a layover to a shout/trill by a bunch of women travelers/pilgrims follow by a spontaneous African call and response chorus. Made me smile. 🙂 The following leg of the journey was not met with such an enthusiastic response….and I don’t think it was because the landing was smoother that time.

We’re here to meet with the Deaf and see how we can support the work they’re doing in Bible translation. So far, the power has gone out twice (no big deal) but the internet is stronger here (North Americans would still see it as slow). But I have data on my phone and so can What’s App with friends! Who hoo!

So some tips I’ve already learned in the less than 24 hours here:

– malaria medicine is better taken in the evening. You can then have yogurt for breakfast (doxycycline can’t be taken with milk)

– I always enjoyed the bed tents as a kid and thought sleeping under netting was so cool. I kinda secretly still think so even if it is meant to keep skeeters and malaria at bay.

– take shower shoes,…never know where you’ll be staying

– before you sit, make sure the toilet seat is the same size as the bowl to avoid falling in (true!)

– wash tubs make great refrigerators!

– Dr. Pepper is a rare find in Africa…it’s ok to splurge every once in a while and pay the $2.

– travel with a flashlight. Never know when the power will go off.

– if the water is still off in the toilet when the power is back on, check and see if the water has been switched off to prevent leaking.

Laugh much, smile, and enjoy your time. This is Africa and things happen….but that’s ok because you’re with friends and that’s the most important.