Advent, Advent

December again. I got my first Christmas reminder a week ago, a kitschy paper advent calender. I used to love them, chocolate ones of course. Since my Mommy is far - and no one else would possibly bother getting or making an adult woman an advent calender - I thought i would create my own in the form of a daily entry to this blog. At the same time this will sum up my doings in the year 2009 which have sadly been a little under reported.

Now, should I go chronologically, backwards or forward? Let's start with recent events under the label "Zeitvertreib in Kigali". Last saturday, it was Motopolo weekend again.

You have no idea what Motopolo is? I dont blame you, i believe its a genuine Rwandan creation. Check out the link.

A bunch of adventure hungry white people and Kigalis best moto drivers gather to battle it out. What you need? Self-made wooden mallets, much like for chricket, a middle sized bouncy ball and a good amount of trust in your chosen driver. When I first heard about it I couldn't believe how anyone would get out of there unharmed, neither man nor machine. But nothing more serious than scratches and bruises has come to my attention so far. (note to remember: walking on the street seems more dangerous, I broke my toe doing that!) Lately even women were allowed to play. Next stop: Olympic Games! Of course this kind if spectacle attracts a considerable crowd, mostly kids who are hoping to get their hands on some of the water bottles, broken mallets or balls, beers or mobile phones (not necessarily in that order). So as I dutifully took care of a bunch of other people's phones and keys (though I fear no immediate danger to my life or bones, for once I feel a little more comfortable among the the illustrious Polo groupies) i neglected my own belongings and for the second time in Rwanda lost my phone. Since getting it back the first time around was relatively easy I remain hopeful in the tactical skills of the local law enforcement authorities. Of course we are still in Africa, you don't just walk into the police station, pull a number and wait. That could be a capital mistake (waiting that is, not pulling the number, there are no "number machines"). So, when I see the failure of my phone retrieval mission nearing only half an in I get someone on the phone who knows someone, who knows someone etc. Another half an hour later I am sitting in the office of a middle rank police officer on the other side of town, filling in the right form and exchanging pleasantries. Of course my new found enthusiasm gets blown shortly after trying to climb the next hurdle in the process. The person at the national telecom operating company, who helpfully provides you with a detailed communication history tracing the phone's serial number, is on leave and his replacement is working from home. Well, what can you do, this would be the right time for waiting as the story continues.

And, its WORLD AIDS DAY today. More on that on Friday!