(Somewhat) Starting Work

October 22, 2009

I begin this entry again just after rising, but this time it is 11:00 am. I have been home sick the past few days with what I suspect is a minor cold, likely picked up during my travels. At first I thought it might be swine flu, as the epidemic hit Rwanda just days before my arrival, but fortunately that has been ruled out since I have no fever. I have slept a lot, read a lot and watched a few movies. I wish I could call someone, but can’t! Has it only been a week since I left NYC?

My first day of work was on Monday. Everyone in the office is very kind and helpful, and I am thankful to be part of a team comprised mostly of national staff. The office driver, Valens, picked me up on Monday in an SUV to take me to the office. At first I thought, “Is the SUV necessary?” But after we turned off the main road onto a dirt road heading toward the office, all doubts subsided. It was like we were four-wheeling; my East Tennessee friends would be proud! Did I mention the landscape is beautiful?

Valens, it turns out, is quite a character. He shamelessly asked me my age just after meeting me, and then Wednesday morning, he told me that I looked nice, except for my glasses. “You must not wear them to IJM; it’s better to leave them here,” he said as he took them off my face. I assured him I needed them to see but that he may catch me in contacts outside the office on occasion. He seemed genuinely disappointed but apologized later so all is well. J

At lunch on Monday, we went to a local eatery called Afrika Bite – apparently a play on words as bite means “how are you?” in Kinyarwandan. I feel right at home here with tons of rice and gravy dishes served with various meats. Not too different from South Louisiana dishes like gumbo and fricassee. And the fruit is simply wonderful - so fresh and tasty! A few nights ago, my roommates (Allison and Audrey) and I devoured a huge bowl of fresh guacamole before dinner. It was so good, I think the best I have ever had – and I’ve eaten a lot of good guac in my day.

I was pleased to discover that the Internet connection is very good at the office and I can check personal email in the morning and after work each day. I can also Skype after work at 5:00 pm, granted most everyone I know is at work during that time (11:00 EST) but just in case you can sign on – I’ll be there! I had a few meetings to discuss office culture and work assignments and have spent most of the week getting up to speed on office procedures and casework. My direct supervisor, Lucy, suggested that I spend the week thinking about what role I’d like to serve in during my nine months in the office.

Life at home is relatively peaceful, despite the rooster, and you may be shocked to hear I have been retiring to bed around 9:30 pm each night. Because it gets dark each day around 6:30 pm, there is something nice in rising with the sun to maximize the day, especially since there aren’t nearly as many streetlights as one might expect. For meals, we have a cook that comes twice a week to make various recipes for us which means we eat the same meal 2-3 times before she returns with a new dish. I haven’t met the cook yet, whose name is Grace. We also have a house worker named Emanuel. He loves that I can speak French and we converse every morning before work. Our night guard, Etienne, is adorable as well. We have a small yard and an outdoor dog named Moo-Moo. Audrey thinks she’s pregnant.

Hopefully I’ll be well enough to return to work tomorrow, Friday. The only major obstacles remaining – and they are major – are transportation and weekend/home Internet. The IJM driver is only for my first week as I get acclimated and I absolutely do not think I can deal with the crowded and smelly mutatu to and from work each day. I rode it on Sunday and nearly had a panic attack. I think I may buy a scooter.