Yesterday we went to make passport photos. Of course this went the african way, we waited for an hour and then got handed bad quality photo's and told to come back tomorrow when the better paper is in. So today we came to collect them. He had the photos still on the computer, this was positive. He pasted our photos in a Word document and pressed print. This was too good to be true, and of course it wouldn't print. So install other printer (yes they are rich TWO colour printers), reboot, copy paste again (of course he didn't save the file), press print. This time the printer had an error message; look at printer, change properties, change paper etc. It was all very interesting, meanwhile his mate opened a programme and then a document for several times just to discover that the same error occurred every time. Clearly he was a lower rank as he had to cut the prints after they where done. Another fascinating hour. Luckily we saw this coming and had lunch before we went in.
This morning we sorted out our television subscription, as the emails to the south african head office became boring and apparently are useless. This only took one hour, but did cost quite a bit, it is worth it; internet and television are our main source of entertainment. Because we had some time to kill before lunch and the photo shop we went for a drive. This turned out to be one of the best so far, a very african shopping street followed by a drive past fields bordered by plants and trees. This might well be a drive for visitors.
Which brings me to the following, driving in general and at night more specific. As in 'the west' taxi drivers and bus drivers are mad. First lesson, try to be in the left hand lane when passing a bus stop, this however is not a guarantee against accidents, it is possible two mini buses pull out at the same time, thus taking up all the road. Speed varies a lot, the official limit in town is 40 km/h, the average speed is 60. A lot of taxi drivers drive as fast as possible, easily exceeding 80. The careful drivers sometimes hardly move at all, which also can be very dangerous. When it rains most cars slow down, this is positive.
Driving at night is a whole new experience. Some roads are well lit, other have no street lights at all. Pedestrians do not understand that you can not see them until a few feet away. Driving at 60 and suddenly finding someone crossing the road right in front of you is very good for your adrenaline production. Car and lights. You would assume 1 car = 4 lights. This is not the case. Back lights are obsolete, obviously because they don't help you see anything. One front light is sufficient. The worst are the numerous people who don't know that your lights don't have to be at mean beam (groot licht), often you will find yourself half closing your eyes and hoping you'll pass the car coming at you without hitting anything or anyone. Needless to say, driving at night isn't my favourite past time, but it's hard to avoid when the sun sets at 18.00.
We did see a car the other day which to a downhill turn a bit to fast and ended upside down.
Lon Zomer and Hazel O'Dea - their life abroad
Saturday, 29 December 2007
Meet the kits
Introducing Dobby and Neville.
Sorry the photos are dark, but we had the flash off in order not to blind them
The gray one is Neville, and the golden one is Dobby, and they are very cute. They were born on 1st December, and we will be bringing them home in 2-3 weeks.
Sorry the photos are dark, but we had the flash off in order not to blind them
The gray one is Neville, and the golden one is Dobby, and they are very cute. They were born on 1st December, and we will be bringing them home in 2-3 weeks.
Christmas in Kigali
Christmas in Kigali was different!
We popped out on Christmas eve, and really felt that the last minute rush was on. You can see a street vendor selling a pre decorated tree. These Chinese imports are a new phenomenon here over the past couple of years
We went for a traditional British Christmas lunch but with chicken not turkey, and managed not to fall asleep on the sofa afterwards, which isn't at all traditional
We popped out on Christmas eve, and really felt that the last minute rush was on. You can see a street vendor selling a pre decorated tree. These Chinese imports are a new phenomenon here over the past couple of years
We went for a traditional British Christmas lunch but with chicken not turkey, and managed not to fall asleep on the sofa afterwards, which isn't at all traditional
Thursday, 27 December 2007
Money
The central bank of Rwanda, or more likely the president, has decided it was not convenient that there is no note between the 1.000 RWF and the 5.000 RWF note. To tackle this problem they inroduced a 2.000 RWF note. Now we wait till they decide to introduce a 200 RWF note. The current notes are 100, 500, 1.000 and 5.000. The 100 notes are used a lot, and for rich people the 5.000 note is important (GBP 5) as it is the largest note.
So here it is, we like the coffee side:
Sorry it not straight.
So here it is, we like the coffee side:
Sorry it not straight.
Monday, 24 December 2007
Frosty the snowman
We were doing some light cleaning up, and I decided to throw away the old paper lampshades that we had replaced. Upon seeing them together, I had a small creative moment and Lon and I made our own snowman!!
Very sad and strange muzungus
What is worse somehow, is that while we were out this morning, it started to rain, and Frosty got safely relocated to the patio by the staff, though he does look like he's been at the sherry!
Very sad and strange muzungus
What is worse somehow, is that while we were out this morning, it started to rain, and Frosty got safely relocated to the patio by the staff, though he does look like he's been at the sherry!
Sunday, 23 December 2007
the garden(er)
Here are some images of some of the plants in our garden
and two papayas from our tree (one before and one after)
I've been occupied with the garden, and particular the gardener lately. Telling him what I want changed, what I would like etc, and he seemed to be working hard.
So when Evariste the gardener came to me to say we needed a new hosepipe, I agreed that we would get one. I understood he said that he knew a man...and we could get a good deal. OK - I agreed. The next day the guard came to me, to tell me that the gardener is a thief, and that the hosepipe was part of the houses belongings - he showed me that the new hose was identical to the existing one and came with dutch packaging... Shit... I thank him and say I'll look into it, and also speak to my husband....hate the idea that we may have to fire a man with 8 kids just before Christmas
frantic email back to the Hague where the previous tenants are now living - did they leave the hose behind ? Reply - no idea - new house is still full of boxes...
in the meantime, I have a conversation like ... so Evariste, I mentioned the new hose to Lon, and he thinks we paid money to Robert-Jan for a hose along with many other things for the house, wasn't there one here?? subtle like Sherlock Holmes me...he replied, no there was no new hose left behind.
New email to DH, asking less cryptically did they give the hose to the gardener?
24 hours pass, during which the gardener keeps looking at me through the window, and the guard gives dirty looks to the gardener.
Then the gardener eventually knocks on the patio doors, and gets to his knees and begs me not to fire him. Stand up I say (he stays on his knees), he then admitted that he hadn't stolen anything, but had not been honest by explaining he was selling me the hose himself, but that he needed the money. He then went on to list all the things given to him and all the other staff by the previous owners. I still had no confirmation that his story was true, but decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, and I said that I was disappointed in the way he behaved, but would only fire him if the reply I got from the Hague indicated the hose was not his to sell.
Friday afternoon was Christmas Box day, so we gave everyone their gifts, and explained that the matter with Evariste was closed.
Then late Friday night we got confirmation that the hose was his...
Having staff is far more stressful than I imagined
PS the price was a good one!
and two papayas from our tree (one before and one after)
I've been occupied with the garden, and particular the gardener lately. Telling him what I want changed, what I would like etc, and he seemed to be working hard.
So when Evariste the gardener came to me to say we needed a new hosepipe, I agreed that we would get one. I understood he said that he knew a man...and we could get a good deal. OK - I agreed. The next day the guard came to me, to tell me that the gardener is a thief, and that the hosepipe was part of the houses belongings - he showed me that the new hose was identical to the existing one and came with dutch packaging... Shit... I thank him and say I'll look into it, and also speak to my husband....hate the idea that we may have to fire a man with 8 kids just before Christmas
frantic email back to the Hague where the previous tenants are now living - did they leave the hose behind ? Reply - no idea - new house is still full of boxes...
in the meantime, I have a conversation like ... so Evariste, I mentioned the new hose to Lon, and he thinks we paid money to Robert-Jan for a hose along with many other things for the house, wasn't there one here?? subtle like Sherlock Holmes me...he replied, no there was no new hose left behind.
New email to DH, asking less cryptically did they give the hose to the gardener?
24 hours pass, during which the gardener keeps looking at me through the window, and the guard gives dirty looks to the gardener.
Then the gardener eventually knocks on the patio doors, and gets to his knees and begs me not to fire him. Stand up I say (he stays on his knees), he then admitted that he hadn't stolen anything, but had not been honest by explaining he was selling me the hose himself, but that he needed the money. He then went on to list all the things given to him and all the other staff by the previous owners. I still had no confirmation that his story was true, but decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, and I said that I was disappointed in the way he behaved, but would only fire him if the reply I got from the Hague indicated the hose was not his to sell.
Friday afternoon was Christmas Box day, so we gave everyone their gifts, and explained that the matter with Evariste was closed.
Then late Friday night we got confirmation that the hose was his...
Having staff is far more stressful than I imagined
PS the price was a good one!
Saturday, 15 December 2007
Birdwatching
This morning we had a lot of activity in our garden.
There are two types of extremely small bird, grey/brow ones and ones with a blue matelic chest.
There is also a reasonable amount of birds of pray, which we can spot above the valley. This might cause concerns if and when we get a kitten. Luckely our garden is not very open from the are, because of trees and walls.
Last week we had a bird in the kitchen! Judging be the easiness of the catching and the time it took for it to disappear we think it was hurt. We do not know the faith of our feathered friends.
(photo of bird in kitchen added by H)
Hazel went around the garden with the gardener. Asked him to grow herbs (separate from non-edibles) and among other things if we can have orchides. To our happy surprise we noticed an orchide in our garden, we do not know where it came from. We hope he did not pay money for it. The gardener gave us a pricelist of a local supplier. He thinks it's expensive, but for our standards it's very cheap.
There are two types of extremely small bird, grey/brow ones and ones with a blue matelic chest.
There is also a reasonable amount of birds of pray, which we can spot above the valley. This might cause concerns if and when we get a kitten. Luckely our garden is not very open from the are, because of trees and walls.Last week we had a bird in the kitchen! Judging be the easiness of the catching and the time it took for it to disappear we think it was hurt. We do not know the faith of our feathered friends.
(photo of bird in kitchen added by H)
Hazel went around the garden with the gardener. Asked him to grow herbs (separate from non-edibles) and among other things if we can have orchides. To our happy surprise we noticed an orchide in our garden, we do not know where it came from. We hope he did not pay money for it. The gardener gave us a pricelist of a local supplier. He thinks it's expensive, but for our standards it's very cheap.
Friday, 14 December 2007
Home sweet home
We have in addition to unpacking all the boxes, put up our Christmas decorations - which look a bit lost in the room, but still very festive.
we are also currently in the process of washing and rehanging every curtain in the house (we have a LOT of windows) - but we are finished with the exception of a few minor jobs namely
hanging mirrors
hanging pictures
hiring a local carpenter to make bookshelves and a CD storage unit
finding toilet seats
the last job is seemingly easy, but we have evidence to the contrary. Long and winding story to follow.
We have 4 WCs in the house. They all have nasty cheap plastic seats which feel fragile, and the seats tend to drop when men are peeing. Not good, and the seat in the master suite had a crack in it, a) unhygienic and b) it occasionally would pinch. So last weekend we went in search of toilet seats, which are located in quinquilleries (french for hardware store) - there are numerous hardware stores throughout the city, often specialising slightly more in electrics, or plumbing or lighting, but you can't tell that from outside, so you have to go in to each one and see what they sell.
Many sell toilets and complete bathroom suites. Few sell toilet seats, and they are often only ever the cheap ones we already have. So we visited numerous shops trying to locate loo seats in mixture of french and english. We finally found a couple of high quality seats that seemed perfect until we got them home where it became apparent than none sell toilet seats to fit our rather pointy loos, as there was a huge gap between the seat and the porcelain. We managed to return these a few days later and get a refund when we proved that nothing they sold fit our loos (we have made a paper template now), and went in search again. Got talked into buying one which after much faffing around by Lon with fixings is OK, but still porcelain is protruding, so the search continues. But we have loos, which flush so happy days
we are also currently in the process of washing and rehanging every curtain in the house (we have a LOT of windows) - but we are finished with the exception of a few minor jobs namely
hanging mirrors
hanging pictures
hiring a local carpenter to make bookshelves and a CD storage unit
finding toilet seats
the last job is seemingly easy, but we have evidence to the contrary. Long and winding story to follow.
We have 4 WCs in the house. They all have nasty cheap plastic seats which feel fragile, and the seats tend to drop when men are peeing. Not good, and the seat in the master suite had a crack in it, a) unhygienic and b) it occasionally would pinch. So last weekend we went in search of toilet seats, which are located in quinquilleries (french for hardware store) - there are numerous hardware stores throughout the city, often specialising slightly more in electrics, or plumbing or lighting, but you can't tell that from outside, so you have to go in to each one and see what they sell.
Many sell toilets and complete bathroom suites. Few sell toilet seats, and they are often only ever the cheap ones we already have. So we visited numerous shops trying to locate loo seats in mixture of french and english. We finally found a couple of high quality seats that seemed perfect until we got them home where it became apparent than none sell toilet seats to fit our rather pointy loos, as there was a huge gap between the seat and the porcelain. We managed to return these a few days later and get a refund when we proved that nothing they sold fit our loos (we have made a paper template now), and went in search again. Got talked into buying one which after much faffing around by Lon with fixings is OK, but still porcelain is protruding, so the search continues. But we have loos, which flush so happy days
Thursday, 13 December 2007
Photo's
Sorry, we have been neglacting you. Here is a start with some photo's. I am sure Hazel will either edit this post or put more photo's up, or both.
The first two are from 'my' office. Hazel has an office downstairs with yoga equipment etc. I have the computer and files and boring stuff.
The we have our bedroom, look at the size!
Next to the bedroom Hazel has a shoe corner. Corner is the wrong word as it is round.
The last one is our balcony set. We have two sets on our balcony, and downstairs on the patio also two sets, of which one is a diningroom table with 6 chairs.
We will post more soon, promise.
The first two are from 'my' office. Hazel has an office downstairs with yoga equipment etc. I have the computer and files and boring stuff.
The we have our bedroom, look at the size!
Next to the bedroom Hazel has a shoe corner. Corner is the wrong word as it is round.
The last one is our balcony set. We have two sets on our balcony, and downstairs on the patio also two sets, of which one is a diningroom table with 6 chairs.
We will post more soon, promise.
Sunday, 2 December 2007
Yeah!
We're in our new house, and this blog is made there with our wireless network.
The painters thought they were finished Friday morning, but they did not clear all the paint of the windows and did not paint the staff-toilet. They spent most of Saturday what looked like hanging around. They still not finished!
Meanwhile Friday morning I got a call that the car is at customs. This went in an African way, so it took ages. At the embassy there was a car, but no key, finally found a spare key. Went to the customs, the removal man talked to a man who had to find a supervisor. After a while the supervisor came with a big man with a cutter. After checking the seal number three times they cut open the container. And yes our brand new car was there, dirty but beautiful. The car is now at their 'parking lot' until the papers are sorted, this takes 1 to 2 weeks (depending on peoples mood, if the printer works etc.)
By the time we had a late lunch the movers came. Lots of men so it went fast, half our stuff arrived. This was actually convenient so we could arrange things and make sure the next lot on Saturday could fit. Saturday morning there was a smaller crew and a smaller shipment. Still not everything is there yet, the rest will follow on Monday. We're still missing: table (got the legs), one of the sofas Some kitchenware. We have now: LOTS of wine, can survive a century, some more stock which we had to buy in bulk, like cookies.
Of to wash and do some shopping.
The painters thought they were finished Friday morning, but they did not clear all the paint of the windows and did not paint the staff-toilet. They spent most of Saturday what looked like hanging around. They still not finished!
Meanwhile Friday morning I got a call that the car is at customs. This went in an African way, so it took ages. At the embassy there was a car, but no key, finally found a spare key. Went to the customs, the removal man talked to a man who had to find a supervisor. After a while the supervisor came with a big man with a cutter. After checking the seal number three times they cut open the container. And yes our brand new car was there, dirty but beautiful. The car is now at their 'parking lot' until the papers are sorted, this takes 1 to 2 weeks (depending on peoples mood, if the printer works etc.)
By the time we had a late lunch the movers came. Lots of men so it went fast, half our stuff arrived. This was actually convenient so we could arrange things and make sure the next lot on Saturday could fit. Saturday morning there was a smaller crew and a smaller shipment. Still not everything is there yet, the rest will follow on Monday. We're still missing: table (got the legs), one of the sofas Some kitchenware. We have now: LOTS of wine, can survive a century, some more stock which we had to buy in bulk, like cookies.
Of to wash and do some shopping.
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