out of africa but without robert redford washing your hair

I can't believe how lucky I am - I must have an army of lucky stars shining on me at the moment... I have been here 2 weeks and I already feel very at home and although I have been wishing for the beach at one point this weekend, I have not been homesick at all - in fact, my life is better than it's ever been - and if I could have my beloved friends closer by it would be perfect.



the lounge...

but anyway - the most important point is that I have found a home, and what a home it is! but maybe I can just start at the beginning: on friday I spoke to my colleague again who had told me that there was a spare room in her house to arrange for a viewing; we went that very afternoon. The house is located 3 doors down from the prime minister's residence and when you open the gate the first thing you see is a driveway sloping down at a 40% angle - it's covered in moss and trees hang over it and somewhere at the bottom you can see a house nestled in the lushness of the surrounding vegetation. The house itself is a typical rwandan house - one storey - spacious. opposite the entrance is the kitchen (we will need to invest into a proper cooker with an oven - I am already missing baking things...) to your right you come into the dining area. to the left of the dining area is one bedroom - it's massive and I think we have pretty much decided that we will keep it as our internet/telly/guest room as the rent is so cheap we don't actually need a third person - and I personally am ready to live in a little bit of luxury which includes being able to carefully choose who I live with and I don't think my current flatmate can be topped... the dining area is separated by a low wall-thing from the living area. beyond the living area are the sleeping quarters - separated by a door from the rest of the house. two rooms, one on each side with a bathroom in the middle. but the best thing about the house is the terrace - double doors open from the lounge outwards to the terrace which overlooks the wild and untamed garden; host to 2 avocado trees, various other trees, bushes, shrubs and flowers and countless hawks, weird black birds with saber-style beaks and even an owl! we have been contemplating getting a couple of gorillas to guard the property - would compliment the already abundant wildlife quite nicely.



I think gorillas would like it here


so, after I moved in I settled down with my new flatemate, with whom I clicked instantly and we spent the best part of our weekend sitting on the terrace and drinking either tea, coffee or beer and chatting away - we even played backgammon and I have a feeling this might become a regular ocurrence. even after 2 days of constant talking we have not run out of stuff to discuss - jackpot! so last night as we were sitting on the terrace by candle light enjoying the local brew she went: this is like out of africa but without robert redford washing your hair - couldn't be better!



sunday evening bliss...