Going back to the USA

OK... it's officially been too long getting this vacation with Nelda, Kristi and Amy 

recorded and I have forgotten what we did this am.....maybe just have 

breakfast and pack...No, i just remembered what we did.  

We went to a place called Belvedere.... a collection of stalls under one roof

that sell African items....for these 3 to select gifts to take home! 

Maybe you were one of he lucky recipients!  It takes a while to 

soak in this store since there are so many handmade items from 

Rwanda and Kenya and East Africa.   But they made their choices!

We'd been trying all week to get to this place.
THE BEST PLACE TO HAVE A HAMBURGER IN THE CITY!
That according to the US ambassador and most everyone else in town!
So, we finally got here for lunch on Mon.
 Hamburger, Fries and ColeSlaw...
  The meat here is just plain great! 

I should mention that everywhere we went the girls would try to
order Coke light--it doesn't exist here, except occasionally.
But there are several kinds of Fanta!
and you can even get Mt. Dew..go figure.
But you can always get a Coke.

After lunch we headed to an art studio..  Ikuvo Art studio.. on a back 
street down a bumpy road... but we discovered great art there and 
women making all sorts of beautiful things..This lady made the
necklace i bought from her. It is a very clever design and goes
with every color.  They will have their grand opening on Sat. 
More on these guys later. 

Then we dropped by CMU/RWANDA to pick Bruce up and discovered
that the big signs have arrived and the same art
studio we visited has loaned the school art work
to display "for sale" on the walls of the 3 wings. 

These are very heavy wooden 3-D pieces that really helped
calm down the mustard wall in the conference room.

 Innocent, the artist from the studio has done a lot of this style of
painting and this one brings the hall wall to life.

 Don't remember where this one is hung but there are 2 similar 
paintings on this wall.

The student work room has this painting on one wall.
A typical scene either in the city or driving along rural villages.

 I believe they said this was a picture inspired from Kenya...
Nairobi, perhaps?

This hangs in the reception area and is sort of like a
Where's Waldo painting.  It is hundreds of little people doing
a variety of things.  Very cool painting.
These painting and others are for sale so if you are interested
please head to Telecom House or the studio for purchase!
Or let me know and I'll shoot you in the right direction.

 After a quick repacking and rest time at the house, 
the dreaded hour came. 
 At 5:30 we had to take these 3 to the airport. 

It was a very tearful goodbye.  We had not only had fun but
we had a great reconnect with family and truly finding
out what is going on in each other's lives.
And for their first trip out of the USA, I think it
is safe to say that it was a good one. 

 Last shot of the 3 before they go off to the plane.
Ok.. Nelda didn't quite get in the picture... so I took this one...

Cutest picture of Nelda, ever!
Only thing this picture is missing is her waving 
with 2 hands like the Rwandans!


They arrived home safely some 28 hours later and
all of their luggage was there to greet them.  Thank Goodness!


We had a wonderful time...but i think we were all exhausted from 
keeping up with such a full schedule. 
We are so glad they were able to come and that 
it was such a good experience for them, too! 
Thanks for coming, Nelda, Kristi and Amy! 


I know we will miss them being around a whole ton tomorrow.....
but not to worry.. our next guest arrives the day after. ha! 


Life is full, rich and rewarding and busy... even here! 
We are all so blessed.  


love, 
margie