PICK-UP! soccer and social norms

I FOUND SOCCER!!!!! Ryan and I went out yesterday to find a place to play soccer. Not expecting to find much, we came across a really nice turf field and there were tons of people surrounding it. One of their national teams was practicing and the sideline was just lined with people watching. We went over and sat down on the sideline and hoped that someone would talk to us in English. In a few minutes, a guy, who told us to call him Bob, came up to us and asked us if we wanted to play with the team on the field. He told us to just ask the coach and he would probably let us play, most likely we would have been allowed to because we are Mzungus (foreigners).We just laughed and finished watching them as they took PK's and ended practice. Bob had incredible english and stood and talked to us about Snoop Dog and other random American things until we could get on the field. Once we got on the field, Bob wanted to see me kick the ball...he seemed skeptical because I was a girl, but sung my praises when we were done (it was funny). For a while, Ryan and I just kicked around, until a guy came up to us and asked if we wanted to play pick-up. Within minutes, we were being picked for teams and played some 5v5 inside the 18 with small goals. WHAT? I was so pumped. Most of the guys had solid English, but when we played, they spoke in Kinyarwanda. These guys ranged probably from 20-25 years-old and they were much better than I was expecting. Playing "Rwandan Soccer" was a little weird because it is much more of an individual, let me show you my moves, atmosphere; but, I still had fun. The change in elevation was killing me a little, but I can't wait to go back. They play pick-up every day at the same time!


We played for like a half hour and then it started to get dark so we ended the small sided game. Bob, and several others stuck around to watch us play so when we were done, we walked back with him. As I was walking and talking, he was telling me how he was surprised I could play, because I was a girl. I was just walking and talking, looking back at him, and all of a sudden, I found myself in a hole. There was literally a hole, probably a foot in diameter, and I fell in it, chest high. Luckily, I didn't twist anything, I just dropped straight into the hole. For some reason it didn't really surprise me, so I just got up and kept walking. Probably the weirdest thing that has ever happened to me.

Today, we went to the largest Genocide Memorial for a field trip with our Peace and Conflict class. As I walked through, there were bones, skulls, clothes, and hundreds of pictures or people who lost their lives on during the 100 days of mass murder. This rose is the most metaphorical image in the whole museum. There were half dead roses laying on top of mass graves that now hold the remains of over 200,000 people. On Monday, we will go to two other genocide memorials that are outside of Kigali...I am still working through processing what it means to be here and study a Genocide that took place on the very streets I walk everyday...I'll let you know what I think when I know, if I ever know what I think...




I have been trying to figure out where God is in making sense of the Genocide...this is a great song!


But for now...a little bit about the cultural differences...


1) Cars, buses, and motorcycles have the right away. If you walk out, they will not stop! You have to play frogger through the first lane, wait in the middle, and then make it through the next set. Also, they think they have the power to drive on whatever side of the road they want and honk their little horns.


2) Skirts and pants below the knee have become my best friend!


3) When going to the market, it is best to go out with only one other person because you will be attacked by sellers. The goods are organized by category so if you stop at one place, all the others will come up and shove the thing you are looking at in your face from their booth. I am getting good at saying "ova" which means no!


4) You don't say the word "genocide" or "hutu and tutsi." You use "war" or "h and t."


5) When you shop, nothing has prices on it. Shopping is more forced by sellers...you don't just stop and look for long periods of time.


6) You don't flush toilet paper down the toilet.


7) Don't brush your teeth with sink water.


8) I am the minority (which is so cool!)

9) I sleep in a mosquito net...


10) A quick way to figure out how much money you are paying is to take the price in franks and multiply it by 2. It gives you an approximation.


11) People love to sit around and watch pick-up soccer games and practices.

12) Hand washing clothes...I'm pretty sure they ARE NOT clean...


13) When you go out to get coffee or eat...go when you are full because by the time you get your food, you will be hungry again (I speak from experience...)


It is crazing trying to fit in in a sea of Rwandan's. Clearly I do not blend in, but I am beginning to pick up the cultural norms or the country. The language is a work in progress, but when I can use a word, the Rwandan's are very impressed!


WE GO ON SAFARI TOMORROW! We leave at 4:30am and we are taking safari vans like in the movies! Then we will camp out in the game park. I will post pictures on Monday! I hope all is well. Much love from Rwanda.