Our travels to Lake Kivu continued to expose the life of the country. The beauty was overwhelming – the tiered landscape held us captive mile after mile. The roadside was heavily traveled with people carrying heavy loads of vegetables, jerry cans filled with water, goats, and garden hoes. Women carried brightly colored umbrellas shading their babies from the intense sun. The roads curved through the country as the elevation got steeper. The volcano peaked through the sky and the lush landscaped provided an ever so beautiful sight.
Rows of workers were in the fields hoeing getting ready for planting season. They methodically moved their hoes tiling up the rich soil – men and the women with their babies tied on their back, worked side by side. We came upon a large plot of land that was being worked by several men. Once again, with camera in hand, Ron and Bunny hiked up the steep embankment to photograph the scene. After conversing with the field manager they were informed that these men were prisoners of the genocide that was paying restitution for their crimes. They were not clothed in the customary pink uniforms - they had been previously released from prison, been forgiven and were on a work program for three months; with a follow up of formal training and mentorship. Many of them gathered around Ron and Bunny shaking hands and greeting them in Kinyarwanda. Dan and I stood along the roadside observing the whole scene in awe.
Some miles later we detoured off the main road towards a Rwanda Tea Factory - upon our arrival we were disappointed to find that there was no one available to give us permission to visit the factory. Returning to the main road we saw many workers in the tea fields and stopped for another photographic shoot. Children gathered around the vehicle and Dan “the Candy Man” distributed sweets. They just kept on coming out of no where – smiles on their faces and their little hands reaching for Dan. At one point we saw Ron lying in the field taking photos conversing with the workers – somehow he manages to get right in the midst of it all.
We noticed a small gathering of people and numerous goats – what seemed to be like a market of some sort. As we continued down the road we noticed several roadside travelers with three to four goats on leases walking towards their villages. It was quite the scene.
Of course before we arrived at our destination we stopped at a local craft market where Ron, Dan and Bunny purchased a few items. Children gathered outside looking on with curiosity and excitement – one feels like a rock star amongst all the onlookers.
We arrived at Lake KiVu late afternoon – the weather here is on the mild side with a slight breeze – the skies clear – unlike the last time we were here in January when the lake was fogged over. Here I sit wondering how this beautiful country endured such immense turmoil in 1994. Even though there is a great abundance of agriculture in this part of the country there are still vivid signs of poverty.
As our heads hit the pillow and we looked out into the night sky, a full moon appeared bigger than I’ve ever seen. Once again, I closed my eyes drifting into the colorful scenes of the day.
Rows of workers were in the fields hoeing getting ready for planting season. They methodically moved their hoes tiling up the rich soil – men and the women with their babies tied on their back, worked side by side. We came upon a large plot of land that was being worked by several men. Once again, with camera in hand, Ron and Bunny hiked up the steep embankment to photograph the scene. After conversing with the field manager they were informed that these men were prisoners of the genocide that was paying restitution for their crimes. They were not clothed in the customary pink uniforms - they had been previously released from prison, been forgiven and were on a work program for three months; with a follow up of formal training and mentorship. Many of them gathered around Ron and Bunny shaking hands and greeting them in Kinyarwanda. Dan and I stood along the roadside observing the whole scene in awe.
Some miles later we detoured off the main road towards a Rwanda Tea Factory - upon our arrival we were disappointed to find that there was no one available to give us permission to visit the factory. Returning to the main road we saw many workers in the tea fields and stopped for another photographic shoot. Children gathered around the vehicle and Dan “the Candy Man” distributed sweets. They just kept on coming out of no where – smiles on their faces and their little hands reaching for Dan. At one point we saw Ron lying in the field taking photos conversing with the workers – somehow he manages to get right in the midst of it all.
We noticed a small gathering of people and numerous goats – what seemed to be like a market of some sort. As we continued down the road we noticed several roadside travelers with three to four goats on leases walking towards their villages. It was quite the scene.
Of course before we arrived at our destination we stopped at a local craft market where Ron, Dan and Bunny purchased a few items. Children gathered outside looking on with curiosity and excitement – one feels like a rock star amongst all the onlookers.
We arrived at Lake KiVu late afternoon – the weather here is on the mild side with a slight breeze – the skies clear – unlike the last time we were here in January when the lake was fogged over. Here I sit wondering how this beautiful country endured such immense turmoil in 1994. Even though there is a great abundance of agriculture in this part of the country there are still vivid signs of poverty.
As our heads hit the pillow and we looked out into the night sky, a full moon appeared bigger than I’ve ever seen. Once again, I closed my eyes drifting into the colorful scenes of the day.
1 comment:
Hi!
Nice blog!
I have made my PhD on the ecology of Lake Kivu. You can check my blog with my diary if you want some details (it is still under construction):
http://lagokivu.blogspot.com/
It is in portuguese but you can translate on the web...
Cheers
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