by emma | Aug 7, 2008 | Africa, Travel
I’ve spent the past couple of days in Gisenyi, on the shore of Lake Kivu, in north-western Rwanda. The drive up here from Kigali was one of the most beautiful, scenic drives I’ve ever taken in my life – watched the sunset against the backdrop of a volcanic mountain range.
I’m staying in this great place, Lake View Hotel. It’s not really busy during the week, most visitors come at the weekend, so I got a free upgrade of my room: I’m staying in a really nice ensuite double bedroom, and have my own lounge & kitchen… gotta love gifts like that! Check it out:
The hotel is also literally a stones-throw from the DR Congo border, about 100m away. I can see Goma clearly from my room.
The beach is about a 10 minute walk in the opposite direction. Trying to shift gears and have a few days R&R before the I travel back to Scotland on Sunday. I wandered around Gisenyi for a few hours today before settling down with a book (Eat Pray Love – which is fast becoming one of my favourite books) and a cup of coffee, overlooking the beach.
by emma | Aug 7, 2008 | Books
“I never see visions. I never have transcendent experiences-”
“You wanna see pretty colors? Or you wanna know the truth about yourself? What’s your intention?”
“He’s the master I need when I’m really struggling, because I can curse him and show him all my failures and flaws and all he does is laugh. Laugh and love me.”
Suffice to say this book is pretty much rocking my world right now.
by emma | Aug 6, 2008 | Africa, Travel
It was great to get to spend some time with Jessica Fairchild, and one of her friends Allison, on Friday evening. I’ve been following her blog & photography for a while now, and when I discovered we’d both be in Uganda at the same time, I thought it’d be cool to meet up! Jess is a great photographer, blogs here, and is interning with Invisible Children at the minute in Gulu, Uganda.
[Photo by Jess!]
Following dinner with Jess, I headed to the Wyclef Jean concert in Kampala with a few friends from the office. Unfortunately don’t have any half decent photos!! There were some fireworks going off as we arrived and lots of commotion by Zain, the company sponsoring the concert to mark their rebranding/relaunch in East Africa. DJ Benny D played for a while before Wyclef came on stage – in his kilt, no less – around midnight. It was actually a really fun night, glad I went!
Not a bad way to spend (what I thought was) my last full day in Uganda, eh?!
by emma | Aug 6, 2008 | Faith
Spark 08 kicks off on Saturday again in my home town of Ballymena. It is incredibly humbling to see so many people, young and old, from across the denominational boundaries, join together with the purpose of uniting, loving, being…
“The vision of Spark is that the church of Jesus Christ in Ballymena would together represent the characteristics of Jesus in their town: loving, compassionate, full of grace and mercy, kind, humble, forgiving and passionate.”
It was such a privilege to be a small part of this last year, and I still get a funny feeling seeing my photographs on the website…! I’m going to miss most of it this year, but if you’re about County Antrim, you should stop by and join in the celebrations. More info on the Spark website.
by emma | Aug 5, 2008 | Africa, Travel
Internet is less accesible for me here in Rwanda, but here’s a quick rundown:
Had dinner with blog friend, rad photographer, and current Invisible Children intern Jess Fairchild on Fri evening.
Went to the Wyclef Jean concert Fri night with some friends from the office.
Travelled to Rwanda via Mbarara, arriving Sunday; spent the night in the Hotel des Mille Collines – “Hotel Rwanda”.
Visited one of the genocide memorial sites at Gikongoro yesterday, and spent the night at a new friends place in Butare.
Hope to travel to Gisenyi tomorrow; for a few days R&R.
Longer details soon… once I figure out how to use a French keyboard easier!!
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