Rwanda

From instability and chaos to stability and cleanliness in 20 years and of course THE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 1990’s Rwanda made headlines in the news because of their worst genocide since WWII.  The two ethnic groups (who I will not name, because there are now ethnic groups said allowed in the new Rwanda), had years of turmoil and some people say a million plus people killed.  Propaganda and years of favoritism by Colonizers fueled this explosive war.  But those times are gone, the chaos has disappeared and we now have probably the most stable and cleanest country in Africa.  Plastic bags which usually line the streets in many African countries are banned here.  The scenery (pictures below) are rolling hills with tea and different vegetable and fruit plantations all over.  The intensely cultivated land, amazed even myself.  The friendliness of the people to all foreigners was astonishing.

 

Of course the main tourist attraction to this beautiful country is the Mountain Gorilla Trek.  This is something I have wanted to do forever.  The cost is usually very expensive to do this and you are only able to spend 1 hour with the gorillas, but it was all worth it.  There is about 12 or 13 (depending on how you look at it) gorilla families left.  The hike was short but very strenuous with thorny bushes around the path.  The gorilla family we ran into had two Silverbacks and 14 total gorillas (9 of which we saw).  They are almost unafraid of humans and go about their daily business eating and sleeping as if no one was there.  Truly a remarkable experience

As I mentioned earlier, the genocide that happened made famous by the movie Hotel Rwanda, was something that much of the western world turned their backs from.  I had the chance to go to the genocide museum and paid even to take pictures, but being in the moment and learning about this horrible event was more important.  Truly a sad event in history, but the country and people have made a remarkable recovery and this country is a model country for any African Country to look upon….

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