We are leaving Kigali today for a few days. We will drive 3-5 hours, depending on traffic, northwest to the city of Musanze, formerly known as Ruhengeri. We have come to learn that road trips in Rwanda are quite slow. There are very few sections of the highway where you are allowed to go over 60km/hr. Even in the sections where it is allowed, it is usually not possible due to traffic, large trucks not being able to make it up the hill, or it is just too crowded with people, bikes and livestock.
Luckily, there is always something to look at while travelling. The scenery is amazing, rolling hills as far as the eye can see, lush green trees and banana plants filling the hillsides. Locals are always out and about, walking along the roadside, carrying bags filled with produce on their heads, pushing bikes laden with supplies, mothers holding the hands of their small children, etc.
You might think you’ll catch a short nap on the drive, but way too often, you are mesmerized by what is happening just outside the window.
We stopped at the Isaac Waterfall enroute. Once again, we certainly garnered attention. Within minutes, the whole village came out to see who we were and what we were doing. The children are certainly much braver in coming to talk to us, always trying out their English skills. We started to hand out the Canada pins we had brought with us and eventually the adults, overcome with curiosity, came over to us as well. Everyone wanted a pin. Luckily we had hundreds of them!
Continuing on our drive, we saw four dormant volcanoes, all in a row. This is how we knew we were getting close! Our next adventure is upon us, and we are beyond excited.
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