24th to 26th of February, 2018.
I see a tools shop and decide trying to find another gas stove. In vain. Even with a very nice help of a local man, who walk with me for some good twenty minutes, asking for information and going from one place to another, on the main avenue trying to help me, I could not find it. Eating something cheap is my only solution now. But first I have to find a place to make my camp.
I could keep walking and try to find a place near the lake. I could’ve tried going further into the forest. Instead, I decide to ask to make my camping at the church. It is high on the hill where everybody can see it. It felt like a sign. A universe sign, of course.
Going up, some kids start to come with me. In the beginning, I am thinking I would be upset but then they start speaking in English and I just let it go. The kids stay with me while the adults are still in the church, and basic just one of them translate everything to the others. He looks like a smart boy. I try to take a picture with all of them but at the moment most of them run away. There is also this cute little girl, who would come from time to time to check on us and then leave again. Later, I would discovery her name to be Ineza and she became my good friend.
In the end of the service, I talk with three men about my situation. Everyone say it is OK for me to sleep inside the church.
The kids bring my backpack to a corner inside while a guy form the church explains some stuff to me.
When we are leaving to somewhere, I ask him for a cheap restaurant because I could not cook without gas and he offer his house for me to cook. Now I realize that he might had thought that I wanted to eat just my food and that is why he did not invited me to have dinner with his family.
Going down the stairs, Ineza grabs my hand for the first time. We go to one of those small rooms they usually have around the churches, where they have meetings or something like that. I have some tea and bread.
In that man’s house, I cook some vegetables with oat flakes. It is really good but unfortunately it is not enough and back in the church I have to eat the two bananas Sameer had given to me.
I set up the first part of my tent because of the mosquitoes and also to feel more protected. Do you think that just because I was inside a church I did not sleep with my Swizz knife beside me? Of course I did.
In the morning, because it is Sunday, they would have the service, so I have to leave. I am probably in a really nice part of the town because everybody is so well dressed and, in the end, I see so many nice cars. I never will understand the relation between churches and money.
The first service is in English and French, and the second on in Kinyarwanda. I fell like the people are kind of holding on themselves to sing and to praise their god. Maybe it is like that in the whole world.
When the service is finished, the man who is helping me tells me he will be busy with the next one so I decide to wait for him. During the night, I realized that it would make no sense to go to Musanze and look for schools on a Sunday. I could stay with him in his house with his family, as he suggested in the night before, then on Monday I would leave very early.
I feel very hungry, so me and Ineza go to town to find a place where I could have some of those nice fried cakes (mandazi) and maybe some tea.
She suggests a place and I am concerned about the price of everything. Luckily, I realize that each one of the mandazi, chapatis or bread were 100 RWF, and the same for the tea. Uhul! But then, Ineza ask me for an apple tea. I could not said no and ended up paying 700 RWF just for the tea. But you know, also they helped and would help me a lot yet, so it is OK.
Back to the church, Ineza and I talk for a long time. She is so smart! Her English is really good. I think she is a dedicated student.
When the cult in Kinyarwanda is finished, I explain my new plan to Ineza’s father and he says it is OK for him. We go to his house and have lunch. A delicious rice, cabbage and beans. After lunch, I take Ineza to the lake. A little trouble to get there and even bigger to come back but it is OK.
Back at home, we have a delicious pasta and vegetables and potatoes for dinner. We go to sleep early and my plan is to wake up at the same time as Ineza is going to school.
In the morning, me and Ineza have tea with some delicious mandazi. I say goodbye to her and she leave to take the bus. After getting to know how to leave town, I say many thanks and also take my way.
I buy one chapati and one mandazi for lunch. I even buy an avocado in the way. Only 50 RWF from a woman on the street, while they charge 200 RWF in the supermarkets.
I walk for a while until I can find a place (which is not perfect) but could work for hitchhiking.
I have the chapati and the mandazi while I am waiting.
A lot of people come and go; some kids staying around as usual; some people asking me what I am doing as usual.
Finally. a really nice man called Elias pick me up. He speaks good English and is very polite. We have a nice talk.
Elias drops me off in one of the central schools. Before leaving, he offers me some money for lunch. I refuse and explain that I only accept lifts and food so he gives me a yoghurt. Thank you very much, my friend Elias!
Ineza
10 Years Around the World 