Voting Run-Up
on Blog From Beyond (Rwanda), 18/Mar/2010 13:32, 34 days ago
I'm dedicating this post to all my friends in Rwanda. We're not the only country having an election this year.This is a very interesting article it's well worth reading:Land That Outlawed Hate On Edge as Key Vote Nears.Human Rights Report, journalists who criticize the government have been arrested—a pattern that has escalated recently, journalists say. Grenades have exploded here in the capital, Kigali. And ethnic violence is creeping back.One friend sent me an e-mail today:...with the elections soon its gonna be messy but looks like the whole region is in trouble. Here in Rwanda for the past couple of weeks Grenades have been a common thing and now security is very tight but whats to say, we await whats there to come....By the 'region', my friend was also referring to the violence in Kampala in retaliation for the perceivedarson of Kasubi.The question has always been: if Kagame goes, what happens? If things continue the way they're going, we may soon find out. I doubt it though - I can't see grenades and back-talk pushing him out of power. But East Africa's had its fair share of trouble so far these past couple of years: Kenya, Uganda, the bordering DRC... could Rwanda go next? Does any of this speculation help matters - probably not.I would be watching with 'interest' if I wasn't so nervous for people there. I've realised, it's easier to be living in that situation than being outside and wondering what's going on. At least when you're there you have your eyes and ears open, you have your support network and regular updates. Over here you're lucky if anything filters out between global natural disasters and the financial crisis. Thank goodness for Google News search at least.The past couple of days I've been feeling really homesick. D's running an open mike night in Kigali:I'd give my back teeth to be there. I can practically smell Kigali. I think it's the sunshine we've been getting in the UK lately. Spring makes me think of Kigali - theLand of Eternal Spring. I miss my house most of all. I miss the privacy, the quiet, the panoramic view of town.I know it wouldn't be the same if I was there, but I feel like I want to be seeing out the elections with my friends, being part of it and knowing how everyone is on a day-to-day basis, not sitting around waiting for bulletins over the ether.I haven't felt like this since getting back. I think maybe it's that dip everyone talks about where the novelty of being back has worn off; not, to be fair, that there was much to get over - quite a smooth transition. Maybe too smooth. Nobody ever asks me about Rwanda, I'm not sure some of my friends and family could find it on a map.So much there has changed. My Programme Manager has left after nine years! A fellow volunteer, Sarah, has taken over the role. Only Shue remains of the cats and I'm convinced it won't be long before some pretty lady catches D's eye - as I expect some nice guy will eventually catch mine. Which is how it has to be really, but it's a little hole of 'missing' inside.My friends who have returned seem to have split into two categories: those who couldn't wait to leave and those who are dying to get back. I didn't really feel much either way to begin with. Now I'd really like to go back - if someone gave me a ticket tonight I'd be on the plane by morning - but I know it wouldn't be the same when I got there. No house, no job, so many people gone.I'm still finding myself feeling a bit put out by the UK. For all the technology we have, all the 'standard of living', the education, the big houses and the bountiful fridges - we're a dissatisfied lot.And yes, the weather does suck, and the utility companies are just about as useless as they are in Rwanda and indeed, bosses were born to make life difficult. But really - wouldn't you think, with all that money and effort invested in headonistic shit, we should be the happiest nation on earth bar the United States. What went wrong? Either surround yourself with shit and be happy, or don't - and be whatever you like. Where does all this hard-done-by feeling come from? It's like, as a nation, we've opted for it; chosen to do it to ourselves.I'm absolutely certain, come 7th April andGenocide Memorial Week, I'm going to hear at least five accounts of how crap work is, how someone's food isn't what they wanted, how everyone wants to lose weight, how stupid the government/general populace is and how many adverts there are on TV. And you're just left thinking: but really, in the grand scheme of things, whatarewe complaining about?And half the time, I think people enjoy a little bit of drama. So let's all find something to complain about, because we're British and that's what we do.And I'm the Queen of Complaining on this blog. So for each stone I throw, I expect 50 back.But I do feel as if I've seen enough drama over the past couple of years to cope with whether the washing machine is full or empty, whether the post is late or what I'm eating *shrug*You also need a diary to plan your social life in the UK. You actually have to book time to see people; schedule them in. Then you have to stick to those dates and times because people get extremely upset when you aren't punctual. There's got to be a happy medium somewhere between African time, where nobody shows up, and British time, where you get shot if you don't. There's not much spontaneity anymore.I miss D., I miss Africa. I really don't like the cold weather and the isolation of the UK - a small town suits me better, at least you can meet people without spending£30 in petrol.I'm spending most of my time at the moment working on setting up my business. Really loving that - given me something to focus on and it's also very creative, you get to think about a lot of things and make decisions and...well, it's nice. It's a little scary, and it's a challenge. I need that right now.Anyway. Here's hoping everything over there works itself through without violence. And here's hoping my business takes off and I get over my glums. And here's to adventure despite the daily drag.Have had some fun the past couple of weeks though. Went riding on Tuesday with my friend Harri and with Merrick. Forced them to do an hour and they coped really well :) We're off on a hack next week.Bought a sleek printer/copier/scanner for my 'office'. That's made me happy. It's all shiny and black, like my laptop :)Also got persuaded down Deaf club last night in Northampton. Was great fun and had some really good conversations - discovered I could still sign. Lot of learners there. Nice group of people. Happens once a month. Looking forward to the next one.Sure it'll all come right in a month or two when I've got a better idea ifthis businesswill take off.