I enjoyed this article
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/mar/28/rwanda-laptop-revolution
and am now a regular visitor to these blogs
http://postcardjunky.wordpress.com/
http://kigaliwire.com
Lon Zomer and Hazel O'Dea - their life abroad
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
South Africa break
We went for a 10 day break to the Cape area.
First a few days shopping in Cape town. I found a Cameroon T shirt at Woolworths. It took us an hour to debate and ask the friendly assistants which one was Cameroon. England, Italy, Spain etc.. they all had the country's name on it, but there was one without. Was it Ghana? Red, green and yellow doesn't really narrow it down in Africa. My web research today confirmed it was Cameroon, yeah.
We drove via Hermanus to Swellendam, a cute, small town with not much but a church and the Drostdy hof winery.
The road continued to Oudtshoorn. The main attraction not the town but the surroundings. We drove the road over the Swartberg maintains, including Swartberg pass. Stunning sights from the dust road crawling up the mountain. The photos really don't do it justice.
The area is famous for its ostrich farms. Lots of them, they look like yummy birds.
We love Afrikaans by the way. Like Dutch spoken by one of my young nices. 'Druk knoppie' 'Gaan voort' the best is the word for traffic light 'ROBOT'.
After two lovely meals at the restaurant (one for me as I was not feeling well) recommended by Bill and Maria we left for Franschhoek, one of our goals of the trip.
A quick check of my email learned that I still didn't know my next posting. It was 17 March and the email read: '... will start sending emails 18 March ...'. I am not brought up with swearing...
18 March a bit of shopping, driving around, some more shopping. Sat down to check internet. Several minutes in of trying hopelessly to get a connection the secretary calls from Rwanda: emails have been sent. Some more words my parents haven't thought me. Luckily Jojan offers to check the mail for me at the embassy. Two minutes later we know: Ouagadougou. So we open some bubbly wine not sure if it is to celebrate or drown the fact it is not Lusaka. In our heads we knew already though.
Me on our new gadget a mini laptop, or whatever the popular name is.
They evening sees us going to the restaurant of the Dutch chef. Nice food, the only problem is that I don't know if it is art or food, and how to start eating it.
The last few days in Capetown. It still is a lovely city. Not too big, lots of shopping possibilities and nice food.
We staid in the Bo kaap area. Brightly coloured houses, lively street life and Cap malay food.
This is food, not art, if you know what I mean. Brilliantly balanced spicing.
Table mountain from the waterfront.
Capetown from up the mountain.
And people wonder why I don't like cable cars.
The last night we were lucky enough to see the Longstreet carnival. People from all ages parading, including some rolling racks of washing, not joking.
So overall, if you don't count the delay on the return flight that made us arrive at 2 am, a very relaxing, food, sun and wine rich holiday. BRILLIANT!
First a few days shopping in Cape town. I found a Cameroon T shirt at Woolworths. It took us an hour to debate and ask the friendly assistants which one was Cameroon. England, Italy, Spain etc.. they all had the country's name on it, but there was one without. Was it Ghana? Red, green and yellow doesn't really narrow it down in Africa. My web research today confirmed it was Cameroon, yeah.
We drove via Hermanus to Swellendam, a cute, small town with not much but a church and the Drostdy hof winery.
The road continued to Oudtshoorn. The main attraction not the town but the surroundings. We drove the road over the Swartberg maintains, including Swartberg pass. Stunning sights from the dust road crawling up the mountain. The photos really don't do it justice.
The area is famous for its ostrich farms. Lots of them, they look like yummy birds.
We love Afrikaans by the way. Like Dutch spoken by one of my young nices. 'Druk knoppie' 'Gaan voort' the best is the word for traffic light 'ROBOT'.
After two lovely meals at the restaurant (one for me as I was not feeling well) recommended by Bill and Maria we left for Franschhoek, one of our goals of the trip.
A quick check of my email learned that I still didn't know my next posting. It was 17 March and the email read: '... will start sending emails 18 March ...'. I am not brought up with swearing...
18 March a bit of shopping, driving around, some more shopping. Sat down to check internet. Several minutes in of trying hopelessly to get a connection the secretary calls from Rwanda: emails have been sent. Some more words my parents haven't thought me. Luckily Jojan offers to check the mail for me at the embassy. Two minutes later we know: Ouagadougou. So we open some bubbly wine not sure if it is to celebrate or drown the fact it is not Lusaka. In our heads we knew already though.
They evening sees us going to the restaurant of the Dutch chef. Nice food, the only problem is that I don't know if it is art or food, and how to start eating it.
We staid in the Bo kaap area. Brightly coloured houses, lively street life and Cap malay food.
Table mountain from the waterfront.
Capetown from up the mountain.
And people wonder why I don't like cable cars.
The last night we were lucky enough to see the Longstreet carnival. People from all ages parading, including some rolling racks of washing, not joking.
So overall, if you don't count the delay on the return flight that made us arrive at 2 am, a very relaxing, food, sun and wine rich holiday. BRILLIANT!
Monday, 22 March 2010
Wa-ga-du-gu
Yes, we finally received THE email:
Short translation:
You will be doing the same job but for the next 4 years in Burkina Faso.
For those who don't know it; Google it.
We are pleased, but were still a bit hoping on the number one from my list, Lusaka. Number two is not a bad score.
We are planning to spend must of July and August in Europe and start end August/ beginning September in Ouagadougou, the (hot) capital with the coolest name.
We'll keep you informed on this blog.
M E M O R A N D U M
Van: HDPO
Aan: L.P. Zomer
Datum: 18 maart 2010
Email: lon.zomer@minbuza.nl
Zoals eerder aangekondigd worden deelnemers aan de overplaatsingsronde 2010 per e‑mail ingelicht over hun voorgenomen plaatsing.
Uw voorgenomen plaatsing is:
------------------------------
Functie: 107063.Senior Beheermedewerker OS.OUAGADOUGOU
Functieniveau: 10
Plaatsingsduur: 48 maanden
Short translation:
You will be doing the same job but for the next 4 years in Burkina Faso.
For those who don't know it; Google it.
We are pleased, but were still a bit hoping on the number one from my list, Lusaka. Number two is not a bad score.
We are planning to spend must of July and August in Europe and start end August/ beginning September in Ouagadougou, the (hot) capital with the coolest name.
We'll keep you informed on this blog.
Friday, 26 February 2010
Cushion
Another tapestry cushion finished, this one is larger than a pillow, and started to get really hot to work with towards the end. A few more years and we'll have our own kasbah!
Monster mushroom
I couldn't resist this huge mushroom at the grocers this morning! (and it was the second smallest). Hope it's good to eat...
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Grenade attack in Kigali
apparently there was Grenade attack in Kigali on Friday night, we were out on Friday night and didn't notice what had happened, and only heard about it at a party last night...
The local English language media only reported on this event 24 hours later http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=14178&article=6292
looking forward to Sarkozy's visit next week
The local English language media only reported on this event 24 hours later http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=14178&article=6292
looking forward to Sarkozy's visit next week
Friday, 19 February 2010
Wikwiheba year 3
It's been about two years now since the first time I visited Wikwiheba. Thanks to Wouters strange need to keep running they have been able to make some big changes. They changed from a women with an idea into a proper organization. This means they should be able now to apply for grants and small project funds. It also means that it is time to let go. Just as well as we are moving this summer.
The first time I came it was more like a stinky cave smelling of pee. Now they have a proper house, soon with a few extra extensions for an atelier and classroom, a plot of land for basic foods and a barbershop. Also they are closer to the school. Their policy is to send as many children as possible to school as often as possible. Some children get thought in a small purpose build room next to the house, as they have special needs.
Here are a few photos.
Corn harvest
The new rooms
Man making the floor
Cooking still happens at Mediatrices house
The salon in one of Ngarama's main roads
The first time I came it was more like a stinky cave smelling of pee. Now they have a proper house, soon with a few extra extensions for an atelier and classroom, a plot of land for basic foods and a barbershop. Also they are closer to the school. Their policy is to send as many children as possible to school as often as possible. Some children get thought in a small purpose build room next to the house, as they have special needs.
Here are a few photos.
Corn harvest
The new rooms
Man making the floor
Cooking still happens at Mediatrices house
The salon in one of Ngarama's main roads
Visit Lons Parents
Last night we waved Lons' parents off at the airport, after they came to Rwanda for a short visit, partly to see us, and partly to escape Hollands' winter.
As this was their third visit we were left scratching our heads to come up with suitable activities, but then realised that they had not yet been to visit the lakeside town of Gisenyi, the first visit through lack of time, and the second time, due to political instability in Goma.
We were fortunate and the weather was good, with great views across the landscape. So we drove up to Ruhengeri for lunch, and then on to Gisenyi via Kiaka, one of Lon and mines favourite cooperatives. For those who don't know Lons dad, he has a technical background, and loves to see the African solutions for many technical issues. He also speaks good french, and has the nerve to go and ask people what they are doing and why...oh and takes photos too (in fact pretty much all the pics are Henks due to a technical malfunction ((I left the memory card for our camera at home!)))
Every 4 yr old should have a sickle to chew...
Henk and the shoemaker
brushes are sewn by HAND!!
We drove down to the lake so that Henk could see the trimaran fishermen, and to watch the sun set with a beer
..and what a glorious sunset!
The next day, we went to visit the Imbabazi Orphanage near Gisenyi. We have a subscription for a bouquet of flowers, which comes every week from the orphanage (along with about 50 others in Kigali), so I was looking forward to seeing fields of flowers. However, the weekend before they had had a heavy hail shower which damaged all the fields, and had wreaked havoc... We were still received with great hospitality and warmth...
We also, over the weekend in Kigali went to visit the metal market....where Henk got a tour from one of the cooperative administrators - who declared Henk a researcher (and thus able to take photos and ask questions)
the wood market
and the regular market
Lon and his family went to visit the Wikiweheba centre - but I will let him post about that.
Wednesday saw us visiting a company here called Gahaya Links, along with about another 14 dutchies and visitors. Usually the Dutch partners have a coffee morning once every six weeks or so, and in the past, we have visited projects or gone on outings, so I decided to combine a trip for Lons parents with my partner duties...and it went really well. The baskets and jewellery that they make, are of a really high standard, for export (but also have prices which reflect that).
As this was their third visit we were left scratching our heads to come up with suitable activities, but then realised that they had not yet been to visit the lakeside town of Gisenyi, the first visit through lack of time, and the second time, due to political instability in Goma.
We were fortunate and the weather was good, with great views across the landscape. So we drove up to Ruhengeri for lunch, and then on to Gisenyi via Kiaka, one of Lon and mines favourite cooperatives. For those who don't know Lons dad, he has a technical background, and loves to see the African solutions for many technical issues. He also speaks good french, and has the nerve to go and ask people what they are doing and why...oh and takes photos too (in fact pretty much all the pics are Henks due to a technical malfunction ((I left the memory card for our camera at home!)))
Every 4 yr old should have a sickle to chew...
Henk and the shoemaker
brushes are sewn by HAND!!We drove down to the lake so that Henk could see the trimaran fishermen, and to watch the sun set with a beer
..and what a glorious sunset!The next day, we went to visit the Imbabazi Orphanage near Gisenyi. We have a subscription for a bouquet of flowers, which comes every week from the orphanage (along with about 50 others in Kigali), so I was looking forward to seeing fields of flowers. However, the weekend before they had had a heavy hail shower which damaged all the fields, and had wreaked havoc... We were still received with great hospitality and warmth...
We also, over the weekend in Kigali went to visit the metal market....where Henk got a tour from one of the cooperative administrators - who declared Henk a researcher (and thus able to take photos and ask questions)
the wood market
and the regular market
Lon and his family went to visit the Wikiweheba centre - but I will let him post about that.
Wednesday saw us visiting a company here called Gahaya Links, along with about another 14 dutchies and visitors. Usually the Dutch partners have a coffee morning once every six weeks or so, and in the past, we have visited projects or gone on outings, so I decided to combine a trip for Lons parents with my partner duties...and it went really well. The baskets and jewellery that they make, are of a really high standard, for export (but also have prices which reflect that).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)