My mother-in-law arrived about 5pm today and so did Kuntz and his wife Kathy. We packed up thier mini-van and headed to the airport. We are allowed 4 bags of 70 pounds (at $50.00/each over 50lbs). Our bags were 70.0 pounds, 69.5 pounds, 68.5 pounds and 58.5 pounds. So far so good. We asked NWA to get our boarding pass for our Nairobi to Kigali lehg but the were unable.
Our flight was fine. I slept about 5 of the 8 hours. We arrived in Amsterdam at about 10am. After trying to get our boarding pass for the Nairobi to Kigali leg (they couldn't do that for us) we found a locker, packed our carry on bags in and went to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is very excited about the HOlland team doing so well in the Euro's (European soccer tourny). Amsterdam is a very international city. It has many people, many bikes and many canals. (I fell the same way about Amsterdam as you do about Cordova).
We walked in the Red Light disctrict (after taking the train from the airport). Very unusual. Beautiful canals and buildings wiht many sex windows and sex shows and sex shops. In Dam it is legal to smoke hash and pot in some bars. Weird. We walked for a few hours just looking around. Dave and I split two delicious sammys. A hummus and veggies on a white roll and a mozzarella with pesto and tomato. Delish! I had a coke and dave had team. OBSERVATION: Europeans wear lots of scarfs.
Anywho..When we were done Dave and I continued to walk until I decided that we had acted like 13 year old boys long enough. We wanted to know how the sex worked. I knocked on a window and asked a Russian woman "So, what happens in there?" Well apparently you pay 50 Euros for 20 minutes of whatever you want. Sex, BJ's, me and Dave could have gone in with her or I could watch her and another woman do a "lezzie show". I told her that I was nervous. She tugged on my shirt and told me that she could make me horny. I said, "Only my wife can make me horny"....
We then made our way to the Ann Frank house. It was cool but not so much. There were journal entries written on the wall in chronological order. The most moving thing for me was the original patch of wall paper that had all of the hiding kids heights on them. Sad. IT was about a 45 minute self-guided tour with videos, quotes, simulations, etc. If you are in Amsterdam I would recommend it but don't go to Amsterdam just for it.
We boarded the train and went back to the airport. When we go there we check in and asked to counter guy if he could print us a boarding pass for our Nairobi to Kigali leg. He actually upgraded our tickets to Nairobi but told us he was unable to print them. He told us of a secret way to bypass the endless line in Nairobi though. We will see. We had some time so we went and ate McDonald's. When in Amsterdam...
So we arrived in Nairobi at 6am. We went right to the secret transfer desk and they told us we did not have tickets. AHHHHHHHHHHH....After about 1 1/2 we were able to get things straightened out. Lots of stress though.
We boarded and made it to Kigali fine (we did have an hour delay however!). Once we reached Kigali we got 3 of our four bags right away. The last one was literally the last one off the plane. We had all of the stuff!!
Bosco met us, loaded up his cousin's van then we started our errands. First was to Centre Marembo. The kids were not there (it was Saturday) but they all wanted us to come back mid next week. We dropped 3 large bags of clothes, shoes, tooth paste, underwears, etc.. 2 lap tops, a printer, paper, etc.and gave the director $1,000.00 for the BSM community. She could not believe it. They are trying to purchase some land for a new center.
We then went to see Felix and drop off the books, letter and money. Dick. He gave us a bad look, took the books and off we were.
We drove to Ruhengeri. Bosco's son William barfed in the car but all was good afterwards. We went right to Bosco's house and were greeted with hugs from his wife and kids.
We chatted for a while then gave them the donations. Bosco kept saying that it was a miracle. (He is a scammer, but more later). The kids loved the new clothes, shoes, make up, etc.. We also gave them candels, matches, a computer, a digital camera. Very excited. Very cute.
Bosco and Damarse insisted that we have a meal with them in there house. We had a tomato broth with casava bread, cow and peas. Pretty good. Kuntz tried to drink the broth from his bowl and made a semi-permanent goatee on his face and spilled the rest on his shirt and pants. Pretty dang funny.
Bosco brought us to the guesthouse where we were greeted by Delphine and Hassan (our friends from last year). It is nice to be back.
I love you very much and I miss you. I will consider leaving on Thursday.
Have peace and don't make out with any buddahist guys in flannel.
Amahoro.
Cave
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