The Japanese Ambassdor's Wife's Party

This is Machiko, the Japanese Ambassador's wife and

today... February 13th she heads back to Japan

after being here in Kigali for 3 years.  

This was her going away party!  

She brought this beautiful platter of food
because she said it would be the last time for
her to make food for her friends here! 
That's the kind of person she is.... always thinking of others!

The party was at Baby's place... Her husband is the head of the EU here
and this "porch" is an incredible place for parties!  She had everything
set so perfectly! 

Folks started arriving and many of us hadn't seen each other
since Christmas so there was a lot of noise!

 This is Baby with the little green ball in her hair.. For some reason
it REALLY shows up in pictures! 

 Machiko and Baby... in a serious conversation.



And then this beautiful picture of both of them....
A funny story about Baby... She is very tiny and obviously
beautiful.  (She also attends church were we do.)
When she was in Uganda, she said it was strange.. no
one was "noticing" her... like in Europe. 
She thought something was wrong with her.
 So, finally she asked someone
why that would be....And whoever answered said "Oh... the men won't
notice you here because you aren't fat enough... When you are so
skinny they think you must be doing drugs"... hahahahaha~

So, maybe this is the real reason I like Africa..

Another girl told me this week.. (she is heading back to the States
soon, too) that she dreads going back because she feels so good about
herself and her body image here in Rwanda.  She is very tall and has a great figure...
so i don't know why she'd even think twice about it... but the truth
is if you are "heavier" here people like it.  So, yes, I love it here. Ha!! 

More friends having a chat together!

Emi, was the emcee so she got things started. 

She had her crazy self on!

She was recapping all the fun things that have happened with Machiko.

And then, Emi started doing the dance!  An inside
joke with some of those at the party.

Then the serious thank yous and we'll be missing you thoughts.
And we will miss Machiko! 

The overflow table with even more food that folks had brought. 

Lining up for the international cuisine!

The huge Poinsettia in Baby's backyard.

And now the presentation of a gift and picture cards! 

 Cute pictures of some of her times with AIC on the cards.

Can't really see the pretty silver bracelet... but it was nice.

Sitting at our table towards the end of the party and talking
about old times and funny stories...
my 3 Japanese friends: Machiko, Emi and Kyoko!
Love this picture of them.

This will be a rough year since many of my new
found friends are nearing the end of their time
here in Kigali.  While i am happy for them and
the fact that they get to go home or move on to other
places,  I will miss them here with us.
We have such a great group of friends through the AIC
and it seems to be growing weekly.  We are up to 117
members now... In 2010 there were 20.

So, this charity group continues to provide things for
people in need and it continues to grow more and more
friendships with ladies (and a few guys) from around the world.

Best wishes to you Machiko!
You will be missed!!

love,
margie