So all those who know me well know that I am very happy to be here. However, for the sake of you all knowing the ins and outs, I thought I'd write my list of small annoyances that when put together can make for a very frustrating day.
- Our shower: So we finally have hot water but to make it work takes acrobatic skill and infinite patience. Our shower curtain is currently a curtain placed on a rod that is resting on 2 nails at one end and hanging from a string from the cieling at the other. It is precarious and falls often. Due to low water pressure our shower doesn't always register that there is water running through so doesn't turn warm. to remedy this you have to turn the tap water on in the sink then turn it off. The light for the shower (electric shower) finally turns on letting you know that there will indeed be hot water. You get in and have to crouch or sit in the tub to keep the water pressure at a maximum. If you lift the shower head to above your head the water heater will automatically turn off causing your dripping and sometimes soaped up self to go to the sink, turn the water back on and off and cause the electric shower to again function. It's a lesson in acrobatics, patience and cold.
- The roads and driving: the rule of driving here is that the largest vehicle has the right of way. I have often seen pedestrians run back when half way across the street as they see my car coming. It is not expected for me to stop to let them pass. However, if a bus is pulling out of the bus station and I happen to be the car in the lane next to it, I better pull quickly into the other lane cutting off the motorcycle taxi that is bound to be there or risk being side swiped. The roads and potholes lengthen any journey and the bouncing on "when I'm in a good mood days" Is referred to as getting an African Massage. The roads are getting worse as rainy season continues causing flooding and rivers to appear in seconds. It also lengthens our commute to school as the road leading to our house is starting to look more like a river bed and less like a road.
- Mosquito nets: Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful for them. But you can imagine the frustration. I have finally tucked in all loose edges. The kids are tucked into theirs. Lights out, deep sleep etc. when at three in the morning one of the kids is up for a variety of reasons. I have to untuck my net squeeze out, untuck theirs squeeze in to make sure everything is okay. Tuck their nets back in, squeeze back into my bed and tuck my net back in trying to make sure I haven't left a gaping hole somewhere.
- Medical/dental care: It's just bad here. First responders aren't trained in CPR or any sort of emergency medicine. Horror stories abound. Just like in the states, it depends on the provider you get, but here you are more likely to get one that isn't certified or trained. I dread an emergency here.
- Inner Drive: I have often said that Rwanda is like the Germany of Africa. People here are extremely reserved. In general, they accept the status quo for what it is and rarely try to break out and try something new. There is not much inner drive to change situations. People tend to just accept what has been dealt them. This in an of itself is not a problem but when you have things that need fixing (ie car, house etc) there is no impetus to get it done or even done well a lot of the time. As long as it looks okay from far off it's fine.
- Looks: I have never been so surprised by superficiality. I feel like I'm constantly looking at something beautiful only to realize that it's rotting from the inside. Our house is a perfect example. It looks pretty good, however everything leaks just a little. The walls on close examination are just a little dirty. It's built just a little off. From far it looks wonderful but close up it's a mess. Many things are like that here.
- Customer service: It's just non existant
- Internet: I spent 2 hours watching a 1/2 hour show last night. I've thought of every concievable thing that could be called "buffering."
and now on stage we have a new band called buffering
have you been to that new coffee shop? It's called buffering...weird right? etc
The wheel of internet slowness is engrained in my field of vision
- Power outages: So fun for the kids. So annoying when you are in the middle of your acrobatic shower or dinner
all in all I love it here but the daily little trials all small and very unremarkable on their own can sometimes make for a trying day or week
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