Planes and Buses.

We made it here a-ok. The American Airlines connection to Brussels Airlines in Belgium rocks. Most of the kids got some, we mean some, sleep on the plane. Some didn't get any. The third flight got to be a little long, but it was still better than making a stop in Nairobi! The kids were awesome at traveling. No complaints (they must be saving those for home) and all smiles. Just not much rest.

We landed in Kigali around 7:00pm and it was already dark. Greg picked us up with a large bus. The "Muzungu Express" left the airport with our 20 large duffels and the rest of our bags en route to the Iris Guesthouse in the diplomat section of Kigali.

Because it was dark, the kids really couldn't appreciate the beauty of the capital city.

We checked into the Iris Guesthouse. The kids think the Iris is perfect and very comfortable. Most kids slept last night. Some didn't. We're all still getting used to the time change. Katie thinks "Kate" from the tv show "Lost" is staying at the Iris.

We'll check that out later.

After we freshened up we walked up the hill to have dinner at Chez Robert. They serve a buffet with traditional Rwandan food-fried plantains, roasted pork and beef, rice, beans, passion fruit, several kinds of potatoes. And of course Fanta, Coca, and amazi aconje.

After a good meal and nice conversation we headed back to the Iris (so remember when grampa would tell us that he would walk to school 3 miles, up hill, both ways? Well in Rwanda that is true)

We met in the common area of one of our rooms, gave announcements and shoed the kids to their rooms for bed. Those that chose to sleep last night got to sleep in until 8:30pm.

We had Rwandan breakfast: Bread with Nutella, fruit, and juice. Yum. We were told that Mass started at 10am at St. Famille so we wandered up the hill to the church at about 9:40.

Mass started at 11pm. The hour or so that we were waiting was spent hanging out with the younger parisioners outside the church (We drew quite a crowd!).

Lots of pictures, smiles, and our students practicing their Kinyarwanda. They're doing a great job by the way.

After mass we waled about 30 minutes to a restaurant called Chez John. The students got to see the hills and the beauty that is Kigali.

The kids had lots of questions for our friends Greg and Ben.

We enjoyed another traditional Rwandan meal. Two and half hours of whole fish, different kinds of chicken, cassava, plantains etc. The kids are trying lots of new foods. Some they enjoy some they don't, but they're all trying which is great.

Once back to the Iris we went to Kigali's version of a SuperTarget and bought water and snacks, then it was back to the Iris for some card games, early bedtime and/or chit chat.

Tiomorrow we will be on our way to Ruhengeri to start our official Rwandan activities (Kigali is nice but Ruhengeri will feel like the real Rwanda).

We'll hopefully ALL get a good sleep tonight and get on the bus tomorrow.

All is well in Rwanda.

Amahoro,

Kuntz and Cave