It’s a little over a year since I first came to Kigali. At the time, I didn’t think I’d stay long. I just wanted something to do for a few months and then move on, perhaps to a big job. I still hope to find that by the way but I just wanted to share what I like about this city.

The first thing that struck me were the clean streets. Coming from a town where everything from kavera to banana peels litters the streets, this is a change.

 In the time I’ve been here, I have not come across one broken sewer or even seen a garbage skip. Speaking of that, I wonder how people dispose of their trash. There’s a man who comes to our place twice a week to take the trash for a small fee. The other times I have something to throw away and he’s not around, I use the bin at work.

(Don’t tell my boss). In the morning on my way to work, I find women and men dressed in green overalls and coats sweeping roads and tending to flowers and the grass! Next time I go to Kampala, I’ll have a chat with the mayor and see how this can be replicated. And of course there’s Umuganda, that community work policy once a month which is such a brilliant idea.

The other thing I like are the traffic and street lights that actually work. For the most part, no one runs the red light and people don’t steal the lights! Most roads have sidewalks, not broken pavements, and you don’t have to worry about motorists riding where pedestrians are meant to walk.

I also like the fact that people are generally nice. Strangers greet you and give you directions without asking for money.
 
They also say "Bon Appétit” whenever you’re eating something, including tea. I like the organized transport system and the fact that bus and taxi operators don’t hike the price whenever it rains or when there are many people waiting to get home or to work.

Most routes charge a standard fare and I appreciate that. I like the good roads.

And there are continuous maintenance works on these roads which by African standards are already nice. I like those shelters at bus stops. If only people didn’t step on them with their shoes when it rains! I like that there don’t seem to be pickpockets.

In fact, twice, people have tapped me to inform me that I’d dropped my money and both were guys!
Now the bad part. I hate the spitting. My neighbours do it, kids do it, hot guys in smart suits… It’s like a disease. First, people clear their throats like they just swallowed a frog and seconds later, ditch their stuff right there.

Others sneeze right into their hands and the sight of grown men and women wiping mucus off their noses with bare hands is traumatizing. And after that, they want to shake your hand. I have since stopped shaking people’s hands. The other peeve is how people tend to call things by brand names.

Bic, Colgate, Fanta etc even when it’s a totally different brand. I know I said I like the transport system but there’re a few inconveniences with it. Buses can’t just stop anywhere so you can get off. Many times, I have to walk a couple of metres back to my intended destination because the nearest stop is not close enough. Some routes also don’t have direct transit so you have to take two buses to get to wherever you’re going.

That, or a Moto, meaning you have to pay more. I don’t hang out often because first, it’s expensive and secondly, I usually don’t have the time. But the few times I’ve gone out, I’ve noticed that most places close quite early. You’d be lucky to find a restaurant still open at 11p.m. Most people are in bed by 9p.m. and if you happen to take a walk around that time, you’re likely to find more police than party-goers.

I’m also yet to get used to all the "organization.” You just won’t find a public phone anywhere or snacks by the roadside. You must go to certain places. On Wednesday, I was caught up in the downpour and couldn’t find one hawker with an umbrella. I had to take a bus to the nearest supermarket to buy one! On the whole though, I’m enjoying my stay here.

To be continued...
nsophie77@yahoo.com