Once JD and I had arrived at Sports View, we dropped our bags in our rooms and set off to find the other members of our press trip — Anna, Jason and Adam.
We only found Anna.
When I had received the names of the people on the trip, I was elated to see Anna was a part of it. Since I had joined Twitter a little more than one year ago (not even the same account I have now), I had followed Anna. She was a person I respected, admired and could not wait to meet in person.
Needless to say, when JD and I banged on her door at 9 p.m. our first night and woke her up, I knew immediately we would become friends.
The three of us ventured to the poolside restaurant downstairs and enjoyed dinner, talking briefly about our excitement over the itinerary we were given, and of course, talking social media and blogging.
My body ached by the time dinner was through, and I was craving a hot shower to wash off the 24 hours of traveling and the airport sleepover the previous night.
I walked into the shower in my room, a decrepit looking corner with a pair of dirty flip flops at the base of the shower.
There was a bug crawling on them.
It’s OK, D. You are in Africa. Maybe this is how it is …
I turned on the faucet.
Cold.
Maybe if I turn the shower on, it will warm up.
I twisted the knob.
Water began squirting out of the pipe directly above the faucet. The shower head refused to work.
Oh my god. I am dirty. I need a shower. I want a shower. Please, please, please let me shower.
The shower gods had other plans.
After a minute or two of spitting water at me from the pipe, I called it a wash (not literally, of course, I was filthy), and crawled into my bed.
My mind crawled with thoughts about the upcoming five days of my life … the sites we were supposed to see … the places we were supposed to visit … and quickly, sleep came over me.
Disclosure: Rwanda Development Board provided lodging, most meals and activities.
