Rwanda Expo 2013

Saturday morning we started out at ABC Bagel for some fresh

bagels before we headed to the Kigali 2013 Expo Show.

"Happy and Sassy"

 and ready to check out the Expo!
Oh... those aren't their names.... just adjectives
for how we felt...This is Eva and Mathias!  

 Here we are! The traffic was really heavy and the security was such that each person had to exit their car while policed searched
it.  We each had to go through personal search and bags, etc.. too. 
Don't remember this from last year.. but I'm glad they are on top of things!

This is a tea sorter... I guess that's what you would call it.
This was the Sorwathe exhibit!  Sorwathe is a local
tea plantation..where we will visit next week. 

And then it happend!
We went into the Simba exhibit.. a local grocery
and in the back they had a couple girls doing nails for
free!  Eva had never had hers done before so we convinced her
that she should try.  I was just like her.  I think the first time i had my nails done was for Heather's wedding.. I was 50!  Funny, huh?

We both got them done...  Eva went neutral
and I got sort of a raspberry red.  It was fun
except for the loud speaker blaring in our ears.
The expo is a LOUD place and even when
you're 1/2 deaf like me....  it is totally deafening. 

Lots of different kinds of food.

And what would an Expo be...
(or a State Fair) without the infamous
Veggie-Matic!!!  Yes, even here in Rwanda! 

But look what they created with it!!!

Eva and Mathias looking for scarves for their girls.

There were 100's of vendors from all over East Africa.

And some of their wares looked good on Eva!
She did get this cute little dress.

And of course, there were also 100's of toys made of plastic.
The kids were all gathered around these spots.

Two very popular foods in Rwanda
are brochettes and potatoes right off the grill and they are delicious!! Not sure what the sauce is that they put all over them, but it is so good!  

This one surprised us a bit...  A real beauty parlor set up at the expo.  Have I told you that these places are called SALOONS?  Yes, you go to the Saloon to get your hair
and nails done and to the Salon to get a drink.  

These beautiful  baby beds and carriers were being showed off.
Covered wtih mosquito nets to show you how they work...

But these beds were on display for the older kids!
All of this type of furniture is new to Rwanda
so it was quite unique.

Rwanda Airlines... brought in their look-a-like
plane for their exhibit. 

Adam, thought you'd enjoy this....  These are all the new colors of metal roofing.   They make the country side quite colorful!!  

And the big surprise this year was all the machinery.  Actually,
in the the last couple of weeks we've seen some BIG tractors in town. Yes, in town-- driving up and down the streets.... Now if they just get them out in the fields.....We move from progress.. 

To a stove that is a bit antiquated... but quite functional! 

Check it out!

Even some models in "shifts"!

Looking serious, of course.

On our way out we spotted lawn mowers!!!  Woohoo!

This is the only Fire Engine I have seen in Kigali.
It is housed at the Police Station and is rarely used.
Never even hear any sirens!  But it was here on exhibit.

One look back at the entrance-- as more
and more folks are still coming in.

The cloudy weather has been insistent
during the whole week..

It is very strange to have weather like this
in Kigali... and the dirt just hangs in the air.

We need rain so much! 
It is so hazy as you look out over the hills...
I hope it rains soon so that Eva and Mathias
can really see the  "Land of a 1000 hills"!

love,
margie