Rwanda, Africa-Day 3

 Our third day in Rwanda we just took it easy in the morning.  My mom made us delicious banana pancakes for breakfast.  Each meal we at was accompanied by the most delicious fruit I have ever had.  The pineapple was so sweet and amazing that my mouth has been watering for it since.  We had these little fruits one morning.  They tasted like tomatoes.  I thought they were pretty good.  

 These two sweet men doing the dishes.  

We carried huge wads of cash everywhere.  Each bill here isn't worth very much (about $1.49), so it took a lot to buy things.  

 The tennis courts are all on hard packed red dirt.  I was thinking you would come out pretty dirty from each match. 

 This is the main mode of transportation.  There are motorcycles everywhere and they are also used as taxis.  The just zip around everyone and I was pretty nervous most of the time driving because there is no rhyme or reason. Everyone just goes crazy!

 The construction was crazy.  If you can see all of these little ladders made of sticks.  We saw people walking up and down like it wasn't a big deal.  You couldn't pay me enough to go on those rickety ladders!

 So crazy!

 Most of the buildings are built with brick and cement, so the framers weren't too thick.  It was so interesting to see them all.

 Gorgeous flowers everywhere.  My mom and dad said that all of the vegetation reminded them of Hawaii.  It truly is a gorgeous green country and the weather is beautiful all year round.  I know they have so many problems in Rwanda, but I couldn't help but think what a blessing that there is so much beauty and the temperature is so nice.  

I just loved these people instantly and wanted to talk to as many as I could.  This sweet lady at the flower shop was so cute.  

 Calla lilies.  So expensive in the U.S., but everywhere in Rwanda.  

 Coca Cola really is everywhere.  When we went to World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta last summer, they have a section where you can taste the drinks from all over the world.  Hands down everyone thought their favorite was in Africa.  It was fun to get to taste some of the yummy drinks here.  This was one of the only Christmas decorations we saw.  My parents said Christmas isn't too big of deal in Rwanda.  These Christmas trees were real sodas and there were guards there to make sure nobody stole them. 

 I loved how all of the curbs in Kigali were painted black and white.  

 We went shopping with my parents, which we loved.  It was fun to go to all of the different shops.  Most of the things we are used to are imported and cost a lot of money.  My parents bought a box of Golden Grahams because Josh loves them and it was $13.  Just crazy for such a poor country.  Notice the bread isn't in plastic bags.  Plastic bags are illegal in Rwanda.  Even on the plane before we got off they, told us to get rid of all of our plastic bags.  

 They eat a lot of cheese, just like in Europe.  I love how they sell it in the wheels.  It was so yummy. 

 The fruit and vegetable market was such a highlight.  There were so many different kids of fruits and veggies and they were all juicy and HUGE.  

 My mom and dad had friends in all of the places that we went.  This cute guy always helped them find the best produce.  He was so nice. 

 I am an avocado lover and the avocados here we enormous and more round.  This one isn't even a big one!

 After shopping, we had lunch at a pizza place that was so good.  We then headed up to where Elder Holland dedicated the land of Rwanda for the preaching of the gospel.  It was up such a steep hill and I couldn't believe how many peopled lived in villages at the top.  Since they ride their bikes most places I thought it was crazy to live up there.  It was the highest place in Kigali.  I was missing my boys and just wanted to pick up and love every child I saw.  I had to settle for passing out smarties and money to them.  

They were so cute with the smarties and would save them for hours eating only one at a time. 

 Such a beautiful view of Kigali.

 My parents read the dedicatory prayer to us and the feeling was amazing.  I have no doubt that Heavenly Father loves these humble people so much.  My parents were privileged to be able to be here and work on the church being official recognized in Rwanda.  It has only been since last spring.  Even before the missionaries could proselyte, they had to have people come up to them and ask about the church.  They had baptisms nearly every week.  The people are so humble and sensitive to the spirit.  

 Oh how I love these parents of mine and I am so proud of them and all that they are doing.  There have been so many struggles and set backs, but they are such hard workers and so dedicated to the gospel.  

 After our full day of sight seeing, we headed to "Heaven" for dinner.  The story of the people who opened this restaurant/hotel is so inspiring.  My mom bought me the book and we were lucky enough to meet the owners and have them sign it.  I read it on the flight home and couldn't put it down.  I finished it by the time we touched down in Atlanta and was so inspired.  

The tree above was my favorite even though the picture was horrible.  Hopefully you can see that the trunk and roots are twisted and just gorgeous.  I saw a few of these trees in Kigali.

 The food was so good.  One of the things I love the most about this restaurant, is that part of it's mission is to train the young of Kigali how to work in business since there aren't a lot of opportunities to be trained for this sort of thing.  They are trained at Heaven and then go on to work at other hotels or restaurants.  

 We loved these potato chips. 

 Yet another delicious beverage from Kigali.  I think we liked that they were sweet, but not to crazy sugary.  

 We ate on a huge deck under the moon, which was so bright and beautiful this night.  

My parents truly took such good care of us and made us feel so special.  Yet another incredible day in such an amazing place.