how to attract attention in Kigali

If there is one way to get Rwandans to notice you it is to have a screaming child. They cannot handle them yelling and will do everything in their power to try to get your child to stop screaming. It is endearing but does not work well with my very European “cry it out” method. Jonah has decided since moving to Kigali that he does not want to walk. The house we are staying in is on a hill. To do any basic grocery shopping we have to walk up said dirt hill to get to the nearest market.

Today was a day to go out and do that. We were supposed to go house hunting today but that got delayed until tomorrow so we saw hours of open time in front of us with nothing to do. We started on our walk and about 5 steps in Jonah just refused to budge. He sat down on the street and pulled a typical fit. By now we had at least 5-6 Rwandans looking at us and him. A Rwandan Grandma finally walked down to him and picked him up and handed him to me screaming and all. Her and her son continued to walk with us until we got to the market. They seemed concerned for our son and I have to say that in General the Rwandan people have welcomed us and our children with open arms.  Our kids have been waved at, patted, picked up and tickled. It’s been fun to see.

 On our walk I spoke with the son at length about his beautiful country and his trip to America coming next year. I have to admit that I was putting my Nigerian perspective in to play here and fully expected him to ask at the end of our walk for “some money” to help him in his journey to our great country. I was so relieved, surprised and convicted when at the end of our walk he just said “bon journee” have a good day.

 

Layna and Jonah doing there thing...