Monday January 31st. Five of us, John, Andrew, Michael, Matthew and I took a side trip to Rwanda to see the Genocide Museum. We were told that there would be no visa charges, but that entry into Rwanda would cancel our Uganda ones, and we would have to repay to re-enter. However, when we got to the border the two Brits and the American were free, but the Kiwi and I were denied entry because we needed a visa. New rules as of November. We were told we'd have to go back to Kampala (300 kms) and apply and wait for 72 hours for it to be processed. Needless to say that wasn't going to happen. So, it looked like the other three would go ahead and we'd have to take a taxi back to camp, about 20 kms. Now we were in no man land and didn't know if we'd have to pay to re-enter Uganda. However, our guides weren't happy about that, as it would be money out of their pockets. So they talked and probably pleaded with the customs guy and he got his superior. Shortly afterwards we were told that for $60 US we could have a 24 hour visa. TIA – this is Africa.
Rwanda is the only country in Africa that I've been to, that drive on the right side of the road. So as we crossed the border we changed lanes. So away we went. Immediately inside the country we were pulled over and all over passports were checked again. The picture of the me close up, was taken by the new armed guard who checked our bags and used my camera to make sure it was a working camera and not a bomb or something. Nice photo, shame about the nose!
As we continued towards Kigali we drove through a beautiful valley, along a lovely road with lots of tea and sugar cane plantations.
When we arrived in Kigali, the capital, we went straight to the Kigali Memorial Centre. This is a museum and burial site for thousands of the victims of the genocide. We rented talking wands and followed the number system through the outside gardens and mass burial grounds and then into the actual museum to see the memorial. There were three exhibits, one about Rwanda, one about other genocides of the 20th century (Hitler, Korea, Armenians, and Bosnia) and the last about the children who's future was taken from them and their country.
Needless to say, it wasn't a very happy place. The information was interesting but ultimately depressing. It's amazing that man can do that to their fellow men and that other countries and the UN can, or are unwilling to do anything to stop it.
After the museum we all went to Hotel Des Mille Collines (Hotel Rwanda in the movie). There we had a nice lunch and a good talk.
Then it was back to the borders, through a big rain storm. When we arrived, we all did have to pay another $50US to re-enter Uganda. A short drive back to camp in time for dinner. Update this, have a beer with the Johns and then to bed.
So all in all, it was an expensive day, but it was interesting and I will definitely not have the chance to be in Rwanda ever again so....
You can't say that this trip isn't varied: first sponsor a child one day, then sit in the jungle with gorillas the next, and finally visit a genocide museum in Rwanda on day three. Meanwhile have a base camp in a beautiful campground on a lovely lake where the swimming is terrific. Not too shabby.
As we continued towards Kigali we drove through a beautiful valley, along a lovely road with lots of tea and sugar cane plantations.
When we arrived in Kigali, the capital, we went straight to the Kigali Memorial Centre. This is a museum and burial site for thousands of the victims of the genocide. We rented talking wands and followed the number system through the outside gardens and mass burial grounds and then into the actual museum to see the memorial. There were three exhibits, one about Rwanda, one about other genocides of the 20th century (Hitler, Korea, Armenians, and Bosnia) and the last about the children who's future was taken from them and their country.
Needless to say, it wasn't a very happy place. The information was interesting but ultimately depressing. It's amazing that man can do that to their fellow men and that other countries and the UN can, or are unwilling to do anything to stop it.
After the museum we all went to Hotel Des Mille Collines (Hotel Rwanda in the movie). There we had a nice lunch and a good talk.
Then it was back to the borders, through a big rain storm. When we arrived, we all did have to pay another $50US to re-enter Uganda. A short drive back to camp in time for dinner. Update this, have a beer with the Johns and then to bed.
So all in all, it was an expensive day, but it was interesting and I will definitely not have the chance to be in Rwanda ever again so....
You can't say that this trip isn't varied: first sponsor a child one day, then sit in the jungle with gorillas the next, and finally visit a genocide museum in Rwanda on day three. Meanwhile have a base camp in a beautiful campground on a lovely lake where the swimming is terrific. Not too shabby.
Hi Joe,
ReplyDeleteWell like you said earlier...Too Many People...
causes the destruction of mother nature and wildlife, and when that isn't enough, we turn on each other and have a good old genocide...there will be lots more in the future! It's good you are seeing all this while you still can!
Well enough of this cheerful talk, it sounds like you are having a very interesting time, and running up against the vagarities of crossing international borders in Africa! The rules are made up depending on the situation and what day of the week it is!
Keep having Fun!