Mfite ibitotsi, and here are some pictures.

The first picture I took in Rwanda, out the window of a Jeep.

One of the views off my office balcony.

I'm getting some use out of my new Kinyarwanda-English phrasebook I bought yesterday for 4000Rwf (a bit less than $8). I did manage to have a very short, very hilarious conversation with the Kinyarwanda-speaking cleaning lady here this morning; we were both very pleased with the use of this impressive little book. Hard to believe I willingly paid $8 for a 32 page pamphlet but it has its uses. Or so I'm hoping.

A pothole map of Africa.

Work is still... not quite what I'd hoped for or expected. But I do expect some changes in the near future and hopefully everything will be just fine. As it is, I've plenty of time to admire the view out my door (as pictured above- the fuzziness is due to the haze [and the air pollution...] that interferes with every Rwandan landscape shot...)

I'm managing the language issues with as much grace as I can muster, and luckily, people are amused by my party-trick Kinyarwanda. The best of my act is "Umwana mwiza," which means "beautiful baby" and is immensely useful in charming the sometimes-suspicious mothers whose babies I admire constantly. I've seen my French improve by leaps and bounds in the last two weeks as well, although the real issue is that no one will correct my grammar or gender mistakes... I do hope that just remedies itself in time, or that people will become brave enough to just tell me I've said it wrong!

I have some interesting experiences to write down at some point- especially now that photos appear to upload in less than 6 billion hours. There might even be some videos! Until then, muraramukeho!