Day Five

Back door really won’t open now. Going to try and get Claudia and a hospital technician to help. Goals for the day: that one and buy bananas, minutes for phone, figure out curtain situation. That should be enough for today. Still need to figure out church time on Sunday and clothesline so I can do laundry tomorrow.

Rainy morning. Had a great, mood lifting dream, just can’t remember what it was about. Met a secondary school student on my walk to work who speaks English. He told me about another American in town staying at the guesthouse. Of course he assumed we knew each other. Don’t all Americans know each other? I think he was referring to Edison, when lived in the guesthouse. He’s a little behind the times.

Sweet success! Bonding with the caretaker of the guesthouse. I think I can win him over. He teaches me French and Kin words for silverware, window, door. I don’t think he resents me anymore. I just think we couldn’t communicate. Then I went and bought a bunch of bananas for super cheap. Even a cheap price for a Rwandan. I think the shopkeeper was so shocked I spoke Kin. He kept trying to speak French but I’d switch back. And I had to buy more airtime. I don’t think I’ve ever explained the phone system here – pay as you go with MTN. Some people have monthly phone plans but it’s rare. A ton of people sell minutes – little scratch off forms with a code on it – or they transfer the minutes from their phone to yours. I was talking to my buddy, Anna, last night and we amazingly both ran out of minutes. That’s the trouble with this system. I guess the phone call was over. The call charges the person who called or the person sending the text. First my phone hung up on her and then vice versa. Ranting session over. Plus I’ve been texting way more than ever before in America. It’s so much cheaper. Although without T-9 it takes forever! And I remembered to take my malaria meds on my Friday schedule.

Spent the morning with the cooperative and had a crash course in basket weaving. They also make drums (Ginny we’re gonna need to talk because there may be an African drum in your future). Was also shown their net book and a ton of pictures of their work.

Visited Jeanne’s house and met her roommate. They gave me oranges and were worried about my eating. Aren’t we all.