Kigali

August 11, 2024

I landed bright and early in Rwanda, like 7am. I got off the plane and headed right to the visa line. Of course, the lines are not very clear, so I got in a line that said “Visa,” but in reality that was where you go to pay for the visa that you are given in the other line. Thankfully, they just had me cut in line to get my visa – so win?

Once through passport control, I headed to baggage claim. But for some weird reason, you are forced to put your baggage through xrays. There is also a very large sign that said “REGISTER YOUR DRONE.” Well, of course I now own a drone, because Im insane. So, I let them know I had one and immediately they confiscated it. I had to fill out a form so I can pick it back up in a couple days when I fly out – good thing Im flying out of the same airport.

I grabbed my bag after all the kerfuffle and headed to the exit so I could find my ride. The hotel had arranged a pick up for me and he was right there with a sign. The ride was about 45 minutes from the airport to my hotel. Kigali is a city where people walk, get on the back seat of a motorbike or bicycle. I saw bicycles with bags of goods stacked high, construction pieces, humans!

Motorbikes are a major form of transportation. The drivers must have to register their bikes, wear a vest and carry and extra helmet for their patrons. The rules here are weird that people follow. Motorbike helmets being one of them. The other is that you cannot cross the street while you are on your phone OR with headphones in. Not texting and walking through crosswalks. And I have seen NO ONE do it!

When I got to my hotel I had to go through security again, and I had noticed police or military on every single corner from the airport to the hotel. The hotel very kindly let me check in right away. Because the flight was overnight I decided to take a little nap.

I woke up around 230 and decided to go ask the front desk if there was someone doing massages at the hotel. There was no one at the hotel to do it, but she called someone off site and about a 20 minute walk away from the hotel. I decided to venture out and walk over by myself. The police and military were still everywhere. I wasnt bothered on my walk at all. Turns out that it was the presidential inauguration today and thats why there was so much military presence.

The massage place was behind a hotel, which sounds shady, but it wasnt. I got a 90 minute massage for $50 with tip. It was wonderful after the last week of overnight flights and weird schedules.

I walked back to the hotel after and decided to go to the restaurant at the hotel for dinner. I hadnt passed a single restaurant on my walk over for the massage so it seemed easiest. I got chicken lo mein, two Sprites and strawberry ice cream. It was $11.

After dinner, it was off to bed, I am getting picked up tomorrow at 9am to head to the mountains for the gorillas!