Rejuvenation

Renewed faith in humanity

Sometimes there are days you just feel horrible. You feel like the world is horrible, and you just need that reminder of everything right in the world. Unfortunately when you are dwelling in the horribleness you usually forget that something wonderful may happen to cheer you up ever again. Luckily, I've had two such occurrences in the past week.

It all started with a PCV kickball tournament. A huge group of volunteers came together to bond, swap ideas and expertise and play some kickball. Aside from meeting new people, I also got to see a new part of Rwanda. The game took place 6 hours from the capital. With a little help from motion sickness pills, it was a lovely journey. The ride home wasn't as quick and painless, but as always an adventure. Since a mass of volunteers were leaving a small village all at the same time, we decided to rent a bus just for us to take us part of the way, until we all split into separate paths. Two flat tires later, and moving at a glacial speed, the first leg of the journey took double the amount of time it should have. Fortunately, I was in good company, but ended up needing to spend the night before completing the trip back home. Finally, the next morning we were all getting a bit cranky at Rwanda in general and line-cutting people in particular. As we stood in the bus office to buy our tickets, a man rudely cuts right in front of Sally. Because we are very used to assuming no one around speaks English well enough to understand, we tend to speak what's on our minds at all times, profanities included. Sally turns to us and gripes about the rudeness that happens because forming a single line where everyone waits their turn is not customary here. We all shake our heads in commiseration. Then a lovely young man next to us, selling MTN minutes, reaches over, taps the man's arm and motions for him to move his butt to the end of the line. Small victory for organized lines everyone. Jen, fellow PCV, turns to the MTN man to buy some minutes since he is so conveniently located and learns that he is deaf. He didn't even hear Sally's complaint but I suppose body language and disgust on a person's face is pretty easy to read. As the morning went on, this young man became our friend. He gently told us we were boarding the wrong bus, lead us around the corner to the correct one and made sure we were taken care of. People like him astound me. How can someone be so kind and knowing, and yet have to struggle so hard in life? He didn't give up and assume he wouldn't be able to support himself. He somehow manages to hold his job and show kindness to strangers.

The second occurrence happened just a couple days ago. I had just finished lunch with a friend and was about to brave the massive market in Kigali alone. Completely necessary because I needed some household items like sheets for my spare bed and curtains, and completely do-able because I've been around the market a lot and know how to handle myself…but all the same, lonely. I was in a grouchy mood in general and just wasn't in the mood for shopping alone. But I hit my bargaining stride. I successfully bought 4 sheets from a woman and she even threw in two pillowcases for free. There was a new trend at the market though. As soon as you walk in adolescent through small boys follow you offering to hold your items or help you in exchange for some money. I suppose it is the equivalent of homeless people cleaning your windshield when you didn't ask and expecting to get paid. I had to forcefully tell two boys I was not giving them a job and under no circumstances was I paying them. They finally got the hint. Then I ventured into the produce section. The smell of a pseudo fruit market almost made me cry. I don't have access to variety so this was heavenly. Did I mention how large this market is? A little boy about 7 years old started following me, telling me if things were a good price and translating for me. He was so darling that I didn't realize he was trying to get money from me. He was quite a clown. The sellers were irritated by him and tried to shoo him away but I told them that I liked him and to let him stay. One woman tried to scam me but he called her out and I trusted his judgment and didn't buy from her. He was wearing a Harry Potter shirt. I asked if he knew who that was, he claimed he did but I knew better. Most people here don't understand what is on their clothes, and they just don't care. Halfway through our shopping adventure I told him I wasn't going to pay him for his help. He accepted this and kept following, probably for entertainment sake. It's hard to describe what was so special about this little boy. He had charisma, and a pure joy about him. Although I didn't end up buying much of anything, I had a lot of fun. He reminded me how much fun simple adventures can be. Rwandans have an amazing ability to be social. They are very good at interpersonal skills for the most part. Sometimes you just have to get out in public and enjoy their company.