Today was the
drop-off. My first taste of pure independence and self-reliance in Rwanda. Our
orientation group was split into four groups dedicated to four areas of local
industry in Kigali: communication, technology, market research, and restaurants
and bars. We were given a sheet of questions and told to be back in three hours
to debrief and share what we learned from talking with locals and visiting our
respective localities.
 |
| View on the way to Kimironko market |
My group got
assigned market research in the nearby area of Kimironko (pronounced Chimironko). I recognized
the name as the sector of my homestay. Ashley, Nastia, and I caught a bus from
Kaciyru to Kimironko. The crowded market and streets rife with motorcycles,
sweaty working bodies, and loud Kinyarwanda. This was going to be home for the
next four months. It was exactly how I had innocently imagined Kigali, a
picturesque moment with all right components: the focused homogenous people,
the national unity demonstrated by Rwandan flags and colors on every corner,
the eager bus boys and motorcyclists, the clouds of red dust which masked the
myriad of hills in the beautiful urban city.
The research
assignment was enlightening. We learned that prices are relatively cheap
because most of the products and produce were procured locally. The most
hopeful of news: it’s about 350 FRW for one avocado ($0.50). I was exceedingly happy to use my Kinyarwanda
to bargain for an adapter, too.
No comments:
Post a Comment