10 ways to spend your Christmas

Christmas comes once a year, which makes making the most of it every person’s ultimate quest. A dull Christmas is not an idea that resonates with many. For believers, this is indeed the time to celebrate John 3:16… and thereafter join the rest of the ‘world’ to have unlimited fun. So what do people in Rwanda have on the menu to make the dream Christmas? Here are the 10 things you should look out for if you want to mark this festive week in style. 1. Nyungwe National Park Thanks to Wilson Tours, you can travel to Nyungwe National Park for Rwf35,000 (if you are Rwandan or from East Africa and you can still pay as little as $130 to have a day-long pleasant stay in the middle of the oldest forest in the country. The bill covers transport, entry fees, snacks, meals and tour guide fare. Departure time is 5am and the fungoers return later in the evening. You can choose to stay in Nyungwe and enjoy the rest of Christmas Day bird watching, canopying or trenching several primates. Don’t you worry; there are several hotels around the park to accommodate you. And, oh, if you travel in a group of 30, you get a 30 per cent discount on all the bills. It’s unbelievable, right? Just try and prove ‘us’ wrong. 2. Trip to Akagara National Park You don’t have to wait for Rwanda Development Board to organise ‘Tembera u’Rwanda Campaign’ to go experience the beauty of Rwanda’s only Savanah park. This Christmas weekend is the best way to call on your friends and family, park your backpacks and embark on a journey you will forever cherish. Akagera National Park will remain open throughout the festive season, and still there are several offers for those who wish to travel in groups. Wilson Tours remains at the forefront of promoting domestic tourism and, yet again, the company has organised a day-long trip to Akagera (if you please to travel for a short while). You can travel under Wilson Tour’s management for Rwf35,000 (if you are Rwandan or East African) or $100 for non-East African citizens. The bill covers transport, entry fees into the park, breakfast in Akagera game logde hotel and tour guide. Departure time is 5am and return later in the evening. 3. Cantata, Cantata, Cantata…. A lot has been said about Christmas Cantata. This Christmas musical drama started on Wednesday at Christian Life Assembly and ends today. The musical production is aimed at portraying the birth of Jesus Christ and the life of people of Israel more than 2000 year ago. A few people who have watched the first two shows can testify that it is certainly worthy your time. The event has already attracted thousands of Kigalians. Who are you to miss out on such a classy yet free event. Just hit it out at CLA, Nyarutarama for the experience. The shows start at 6pm sharp and runs up to 8pm. 4. Christmas Celebration at Heaven Restaurant The Kiyovu-based Heaven Restraurant has organised what they have termed as ‘Christmas and New Year’s Celebration at Heaven.’ Isn’t that a better option to mark Christmas with you friends or family? 5. Kivu Serena Christmas Party A Number of Rwanda’s renowned disc jockeys have been lined up for a trans-night Christmas part at the shores of Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu Serena will serve you with all the thrills and frills of it. 6. The Hot Fashion show This is actually happening Thursday at Hill Top hotel. The event is scheduled to start at 5pm through 10pm and entrance is free. Go check out the latest fashion trends on the market. You could get that attire that could turn people’s necks on Christmas day. 7. Rhumba at Mille Collines Hotel des Mille Collines has been faithful to the tradition. And they want to celebrate Christmas with the retro feel to it, they have Rhumba dance party. Whether you are Anglophone or Francophone, believe you me, you have danced to this music before. And, there is no better time to reminisce them old day than on Christmas day. Come Christmas Day proper, throng Mille Collines Hotel and celebrate African music. Start time is 5pm. Wait, if you miss or rock it and yearn for an encore, there is actually one. Same place and same time on New Year’s Day. 8. Church is calling You are that believer who has never had time to go to church in a long time, yet your faith convicts you that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Saviour. Well, there is no excuse this time, go worship your Creator. You have the freedom to invite your ‘Tough Boss’ to join for the mass. They won’t fire you; this I promise! 9. Visit your family in the village Perhaps you have been in Kigali hustling since time immemorial and your little cousins, nieces, and nephews, back in the village have forgotten your face. Your parents/guardians and grannies need to see you. Get out a few brown notes and go to supermarkets for some sugar, bread and rice etcetera… jump on the next coaster to the countryside. 10. Show some love Remember, this is the most appropriate time to show some real love to people that really matter. Go out there and love hard! It could be your poor neighbour, or someone bedridden in a hospital. It could even be visiting strangers in hospitals, surely there are those will be hundreds of people in various hospitals near you. Show some unconditional love. Got to the next restaurant or supermarket, get them some nice meal or a bouquet of flowers; it could mean the world in their lives. The blessings you will get thereafter are priceless. Meanwhile, rest assured that next week we will bring to you A-Z of New Year merriments. Until then, Merry Christmas! editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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10 ways to spend your Christmas