Music and performances!

Over the weekend, we did a lot of different things. Most of it was really fun, although there were some frustrating parts. We started out trying to participate in Umuganda, the country-wide community service day that happens once a month here in Rwanda. We went to our friend Gilbert's neighborhood, the areathat we went to on the first weekend we were in Rwanda (where all the orphans followed us). But we ended up getting there too late, so we missed it! That was the frustrating part of the day. But it ended up being OK. When it started raining, we hung out in Gilbert's living room, watching music videos! The people in that neighborhood are so incredibly poor, so it was kind of strange when I walked into Gilbert's living room and there was like a whole stereo system and TV. They had a video of a Phil Collins concert playing, haha.
Then we ate lunch at another local restaurant. Of course, we ate kabobs and french fries, because that is basically all there is here. But it was good. And MTV was on, so we just talked about music for like 2 hours. Everyone here loovvvvvesssss Akon (who is from Senegal, in case you didn't know). Probably because he achieved what so many youths in Rwanda dream of: success in America. Gilbert and his friend David would basically do anything to get to the United States. They are desperately trying to find the money to get a visa and plane ticket, but I don't think that will happen anytime soon. I tried to tell them there are problems in the US too. But when I think about it, I guess they just have the emotional need to leave Rwanda, where so much tragedy has happened. And America looks like the best option to them. I absolutely do love it here in Rwanda, really. But now I realize more than ever how lucky we are to have comfortable lives back in the US.
The next day, I slept late (yay!) and did some laundry. I talked to the cleaning ladies in our guesthouse. Ok, I didn't really talk to them because we could only understand about two common words. But it was really cool seeing how much we could communicate without words. Then I went to a performance in the community where my homestay will be next week. There was beautiful singing and a play (that we couldn't understand any of, haha). Then we had to introduce ourselves in front of the entire audience. I spoke like three phrases of Kinyarwanda, and it was really cool! The audience laughed at me, haha. We talked to some little kids too, and I guess they like us so much because they followed us all the way to the bus stop when we left! (which was at least a fifteen minute walk). Then we went to the Simba supermarket/restaurant for dinner. Simba means lion in swahili, like the lion king! Anyway, I ate a banana split and french fries for dinner (I may be gaining weight, haha). Then we came back to the guesthouse in the minibus taxis. I may have already talked about the minibuses, I can't remember. But in case I haven't, they are these tiny vans that you fit at least 20 people in. Even if they look full, don't worry, because you can always stuff more people inside, hehe. And they are so efficient and fast! The man collecting money one day tried to jip me on the price, because he probably thought I am an oblivious tourist or something. But nope! I made him charge me the right amount, and everyone on the bus was laughing. It was pretty funny.
And that was the end of my lovely weekend!