As I mentioned, on our first night in Northern Rwanda, we felt the need to stretch our legs a bit and kick around in those awful necessities that are hiking boots, so we set out from the lodge on a quick stroll.   The driver suggested we walk down the road we had come up, but you all know the Boy by now, why would we go someplace familiar and confirmed safe when there is a perfectly lovely field of cows [Ed. note: and trees! it was a forest-esque landscape that happened to also have grass. And cows.] to our right that we could wander through.   Little did we know that this hike through farmlands would actually do a part in preparing us for Susa…or rather familiarizing us with the early Susa terrain because nothing can prepare you for that torture…except maybe Everest.

So back to the cow field…We were trudging down the grass innocently enough and heard a voice behind us.  A local teen is strolling past with some friends and says hello.  We reply warmly as we normally do and continue walking…and the teens fall in step with us to start a conversation.  I answered their questions “America…first time in Rwanda….yes, gorillas tomorrow…” and tried again to talk to my husband, but somehow these crafty teens had managed to get us into 2 rows.   The chatty one was walking with me and his two friends lagged behind with the Boy.  Try as I might, I could not fall back into step with him and he seemed completely oblivious to my attempts, as he was now showing the teens photos on his phone like a proud papa (yes, of course it was photos of his first love, the penguin…)   [Ed. note: look, they had never heard of a penguin before, so of course I needed to show them what awesome animals they are!]

Accepting this temporary fate, as we were walking towards a soccer field and the boy mentioned they had practice, I decided to roll with this brief chat and help the kid practice English as he said he desired.  The conversation quickly focused on soccer, their practice for the upcoming championship, and how they could win a scholarship from playing.  All very wonderful and I understand why these kids wanted to get out of their small village and study in Kigali for more opportunity…but then came the hard sell.   See, they had no soccer ball.  It had been damaged, so they actually could not practice.   Oh, well you can do sprints.  It’s soccer, you need to be able to run a lot!   At this point we’re very near the field where 5 other teens are waiting…I bid my friend good luck in the championship and tell the Boy we should head back now.  Oh, no worries, they will walk us…they will ALL walk us.  

Next thing you know, we’re leading an impromptu parade of Rwanda teens around cow patties…and still talking about the soccer championship and the damaged ball.  I commiserate, I offer alternative training, I quite literally turn out my pockets to show that I have no money to buy them the requested ball…but no worry, I can come back tomorrow and get them a ball, they will be around after our hike!

I about face at this point to make the Boy step up and help me out and he is taking photos of the teens and handing them his cell phone to type things…what?!  Turns out, the Boy has a new pen pal.  Yes, while I was getting the shakedown to buy the local kids a soccer ball, the Boy was giving out his e-mail address to start up a chat… [Ed. note: I thought it’d be nice to send them the photo…] Below is the first message received.   We haven’t responded yet, but will definitely at least send them the photo requested…and perhaps get their mailing address to send on that soccer ball…

 

Date: Mon, May 29, 2017 at 9:23 AM

Subject: greetings and nice trip.

 

dear sir

how are you?

how was is it to day?and how how the gorilla,s tracking?  i hope that is well?

please sir i am very interesting to mail you and to wishes to you all the best to you and to your wife.

i  would like to greeting you and to wishes you nice trip, and say hello to your wife in behalf of my name.

please sir are you remember me?  i met with you in Rwanda nearest mountain Gorilla view lodge

when you walking with your wife. you have our pictures in your camera as there guys and we gave to you our name. please sir if you are remembering me please can you let me know? will you walking again to day.?

thank you so much for your kindness and your lovely heart

i am looking forwards from you again.

love and nice trip.

Kind regards

Elisa.