Oh Tannenbaum

Christmas again and finally I have got to know the meaning of x-mas (thanks Dennis, how many of your new elitist friends actually knew it?).
While everyone else has left town already I am still holding out and try to actually work. At least the weather is creating a bit of an "end-of-the-year" mood, its grey, rainy and cool.

could you try to ignore my underwear sticking out and marvel at the falling rose leaves instead, please...





But to show you that we are not left completely without light and warmth in the dark heart of Africa I have a small collection of Kigalis "best of" X-mas decoration for you.

I will go to Butare in the south of Rwanda where I am invited to the family of my colleague Evangéline. Apparantly though, Christmas is not the same big family affair as in Europe, here New Year is much bigger. And thank God they are not much into presents either. Still have to find a decent present for Evas mother, la chef de famille.

here is Eva (left) with one of our cleaners, Marthe, at our office christmas party








Butare is a former capital of Rwanda and used to be the intellectual stronghold with Rwandas National University.It still kind of is but more and more people and schools move to Kigali. But they do have the National Museum which I am hoping to see as well, finally. And then I was planning on heading further South to Bujumbura, capital of Burundi. Its only another 3 hours drive from Butare and supposed to be quite nice and totally different from Kigali.

So let me wish you all Bonne Fête, Meilleurs Voeux, Joyeux Noël or as they say here
Noheri Iyziza N'umwaka mushya Muhire!!