My first full day in Rwanda happened to coincide with the massive World Environment Day conference. At the airport, the midnight before, I found out I had to take photos all throughout the day, starting at 8.30 a.m. I asked the receptionists at the Beau Sejour Auberge where I was staying to give me a wake-up call at 6.45 a.m. They promised they would, but... well, they didn't. So here I was, waking up in the morning, with some ten minutes only to get ready. Luckily the guy who was supposed to pick me up was about an hour late, which gave me a bit of time to look around in the beautiful gardens and have a tea with a gorilla on it :-)
The conference was incredibly interesting, and I somehow lasted though the entire day without collapsing. I actually also went to the gala dinner in the evening, which the president was also supposed to attend. In the end there were "only" ministers present, and some very inspirational people, who have done some amazing things in their countries, in terms of conservation and sustainability.
I finally made it to the hotel right before midnight. I asked for a new wake-up call for the following morning, when I was supposed to attend a breakfast meeting at the DFGFI residence. The receptionist put that down duly, but, of course, they forgot to wake me up. Again. But I already seem to have gotten the hang of it: people are incredibly nice, although slow and late at all times. I guess this is Africa lesson #1. Don't sweat it!!!
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