Rwanda Journal, Entry 2: Hot List Action

I woke up too early this morning and could not get back to sleep. Mind and to-do list both too full I guess.

Rather than lie sleepless in bed for another half hour, I figured I'd get a meaningful start on the day. Unfortunately, my internet connection is really good at this hour so I got distracted with this blog post. Best laid plans...

I've decided to make a list of the things I need to do and the items I need to gather before I leave. With any luck, I'll bore myself and fall back to sleep. It's listed more or less in order of importance/whatever popped into my head at the time:

• Bottle of single malt scotch- Liquor is surprisingly expensive in Kigali and good scotch can be hard to come by. The administrators tell me creature comforts are important or something.
  
  
• Plane ticket/boarding pass to Kigali International-Haven't given much thought to this as of yet. Still have a bit of time to arrange this. Allan Thompson, the director of the Rwanda Initiative, has recommended a travel agency to deal with. More on that later.
  
  
• Immunization history- I need this for my travel health consultation tomorrow. Once they know what shots I've had, they'll give me more shots. I think I need vaccinations against rubella, typhoid fever, yellow fever, hepatitis (A,B,C), malaria, tuberculosis and rabies. More injections than Will Burroughs y'all!
  
  
• Travel insurance- I hear Travel CUTS is the way to go for student travel. Whoever I go with I'll try to get some with some sweet repatriation benefits! (I can't imagine that link is going to reassure my loved ones any. Oh well.)
  
  
• International student visa- Rwanda did not require Canadians to have a special travel visa until recently but the requirements are pretty straight forward.
  
  
• Camera and memory cards- I've been in touch with a photographer friend of mine who's selling an old DSLR for a pretty good price. I plan to document the hell out of this trip as you've probably already noticed. I'm hoping to make tens of dollars from my mad journalistic skills.
  
  
• Assorted toiletries- As mundane as it seems, shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, shaving cream, razors, toothpaste, deodorant, jasmine-scented exfoliating body scrub with tea tree oil and hydrating beads, etc. are quite expensive in Rwanda. According to Allan, the quality is also "inconsistent," which I assume means bad.
  
  
• Computer/word processer- I am still debating whether or not to take my current MacBook or invest in something smaller, cheaper and more lightweight for the trip. I'm thinking an iPad with a keyboard attachment might work pretty well. Or else one of those little PCs that all the Asians in the library use. (Note: I seriously debated whether that last sentence would get taken the wrong way. Thanks for making it awkward Alexandra Wallace.)
  
  
• Monies- Despite everyone's impression of the developing world,  the cost of living in Rwanda is pretty high. One Canadian dollar is worth about 600 Rwandan francs but you will pay around $2.50(CAD) for a loaf of bread. It's not terrible but it's not like I can live like a king on what's left of my student loans. Apparently, I'll need to convert what monies I have into American dollars and trade those for Rwandan francs. The locals think Canadian dollars are stupid.
  
  
• Medications- Take what I said about about assorted toiletries and sub-in the words "medically necessary, life-saving drugs."
  
  
• Gluten-Free food (pasta, flours, etc.)- Do you have any idea what foods are made with gluten at restaurants in Canada? Try asking in Kinyarwanda. Which reminds me:
  
  
• English-Kinyarwanda dictionary- I assuming such a thing exists. Sweet, it sort of does.

Anyway, I think I'll cut the list short for now. It is hardly comprehensive but my brain is hurting and I want to go eat breakfast. I'm gonna practice asking people what items have gluten in Kinyarwanda. Wish me luck!