Tour of Kigali City

TODAY, I don’t come with the sort of inspiration that usually results into this column. I don’t have something to write loosely about, because the Loose Talk here is supposed to be serious in its own way. Not that I’m apologizing to you, reader, for coming “empty handed” today, because who are you to judge me? Do you pay me? Are you The New Times Publications? So, rather than judge me, let’s take a ride around town, starting with … Nyamirambo: Part of town where most of my not-so-well-behaved friends reside or hang out. Sonatubes: A Kigali suburb that is very popular with natives and foreigners alike, and for no other reason than the fact that they love the sound of the word to their ears. In fact, no talk about this akabenzi-eating suburb is ever complete without the parties involved holding a mini-argument about the real pronunciation/spelling of Sonatubes. Personally, I have no fondness for this densely populated Kigali suburb because who wants to associate himself with a place whose name everybody pronounces and spells the way they want? One minute, it is Sonatubes (pronounced as spelt), and the next, it is Sonatibe, depending on the language in use. Who wants that nonsense? We don’t have time! Gikondo: A sleepy part of Kigali, shunned by village drunkos on account of steepness of its terrain. Because it is a sleepy part of town, Gikondo only comes to life every few days in a year, during the Annual Trade Expo. Why is Gikondo so sleepy? Because God created ‘her’ in the morning …mugitondo, hence the name Gikondo. RDB: Remera-based Rwanda Development Board is a place that almost all my friends insist you must visit in a well-pressed suit, a school of thought that I totally frown upon. To visit RDB, all that one needs is a business idea, and a sound one at that. When I have this, I can call up local designer Francis Iraguha with an order for a flamboyant Kitengi or floral outfit. I will then “attack” RDB. Fanta: A term that is used by the people of the alimentations and boutiques to refer to all brands of soda, except Fanta. So, next time you are at the alimentation and want a Fanta, try to be more specific and call for a “Fanta Citron” or “Fanta Orange”. However, should you crave a Coke or Sprite or Mountain Dew, ask for a “Fanta”.