Connect Africa

Kigali, and particularly our appartment block have been turned upside down by a large ICT conference being held here.

http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=1332&article=1925

http://www.connectafrica.gov.rw

some of the heads of state are staying here which means that we can't park on site, or use the main gate, instead we have to go through a tent with metal detector at the side gate.

We were informed of this late in the afternoon Friday, by a letter posted under the door, with instruction to inform management of our names, and regular visitors names before 8 am on Saturday. Because of said VIPS, the appartments have been a veritable hive of activity the past week with appartments being spring cleaned, new furniture arriving and, painters everywhere. Because said VIPs were here for an IT summit, the usual system for connecting residents to the internet (wires looped round the bannister and in through a grate above the door) was considered to be a *bad* thing. This meant that the IT chap spent upward of an hour trying to get us connected wirelessely, but no luck. So the wire now runs outside via the balcony to us, and where visible in the stairwell has been neatly pinned down. OK very nice, but the wires leading from the ground to first floor are still looping round randomly, and the VIPS are on the first floor!!

Yesterday I lost the plot, since when we returned from lunch we were treated with huge suspicion and absolutely no courtesy by the security personnel. I understand the need for increased security with VIPS around, but the lack of respect for the regular residents here was where I lost it.

It doesn't help the we are listed as Lonsaka Zomer and Hazel O'rea, both German and I am working at the Detch Embassy. The guy asked 'Bloke?' several time, my answer being "I am Lon Zomer, I live here at C301" until I realised he meant "In which BLOCK do you live sir?". Now I know you just mention first clearly Block C, more then once, then mention c301, and then point at your name on the list. Even if you say your name clearly they still ask if you are Vince Johnson, to them it sounds the same.

Now we are having to grow accustomed to the constant and not restful beep of the metal detector and the noise of people talking, as the security tent is directly below our appartment, (will take and post photos)