What's in a name

Our guard (better said his wife) had a baby boy. He is happy because it's a boy. He already has three girls, 2, 6 and 8 years old. The gap implies something went wrong 4 years ago, didn't ask.

He is a nice bloke, came from Burundi about 15 years ago and left most of his family behind,rather tragic. As he is happy to work at our house; easy job, bit of extra money because he does the odd job etc. He asked if we wanted to give him a name. A bit hesitant, not to get too close we choose not to offend him. We did check if he wanted an english or french name, this is very important to some people. We finally decided on Peter, my middle name and apropiate internationally.

We now have a photo of the little NKURUNZIZA Peter Smith. Rwanda names are not inherited, this makes linking people to their parents hard, same goes for brothers. The first name (in capitals) is what we would call the familyname, but as explained, it's not. So Peter Smith would be his first and second names. I'm so glad that we didn't choose John, as that would make him John Smith.

Family names often relate to God, King or positive words like 'hope'. Nkurunziza means Good News. The national anthum is Rwanda Nziza, so the Nziza (good) part we knew.

To anyone who is interested the photo of little Good news Peter Smith is on our fridge, you're welcome to come and look.

Little tour

We went for a little drive today. I discovered a newly improved road and we needed to see where it goes. The answer is: it doesn't really go anywhere. It was interesting to see how, so close to Kigali, life is so much different. The city also stop rather abruptly and becomes this beautifull landscape. Some bits are very needly cultivated, some not.

I short, a nice drive of 70 km in nearly two hours.

Unscheduled departure

I've just got back from (another) week in Tanzania.

My friend Bettina and I originally were going to pick up a car for a new arrival from the port - and do a Thelma and Louise(ish) drive back - but in the end decided to sod the hassle of the car and customs and corrupt policeman and half fly half bus, and spend a few days in Zanzibar - it meant as well that we were out of Rwanda for Genocide memorial week. All this was decided on Saturday lunchtime, and we were on a 6 am flight to Kilamanjaro on Monday morning.

We travelled by bus from Moshi to Dar es Salaam, and from Dar by ferry to Zanzibar where we arrived for lunch on Wednesday. Despite my fears, Zanzibar is still a magical almost mystical place (but we didn't venture to the coast and Stone town is a world heritage site), the climate however was horrible after Rwanda - as it was hot hot hot and humid humid humid - very sweaty - still it beats a last minute to Majorca..


More photos on flickr