Nyungwe Forrest

Once again I have been coerced into writing the weekender blog. This time I am locked in the car on the way back from Nyungwe National Park. I have promised that this blog would not be used embarrass anyone. For instance, I could write about how on a crisp Saturday morning on our way to take a tour of a local tea factory Jennifer announced to everyone that it was she and not the hotel staff that had cleaned all the monkey poo out of the bathroom that morning.

I could also tell you about how Louise thought it was a good idea to exit her room holding a banana in front of her with a troup of monkeys waiting outside the door. And then tell you that she was surprised when one came and grabbed it out of her hand.

I could describe the sound of the laughter emanating from the backseat as three grown women spent the ride over from the tea factory to our canopy walk swapping stories about male genitalia and muskrats. I could tell you all these things but I am much too mature to give into such childish whims. I could spin tales about the origins and myth of WHITE Jennifer and her reputation amongst various kitchen staff throughout Rwanda. I could try to relate the beauty of the Shepherd’s song and the African magic contained within that made each Inyambo cow pee in succession followed by Louise, Jennifer and myself.

Lastly, I could tell you about the four hour waterfall hike whose final two hours were uphill and the legend of the white tourist who was left behind never to be seen again. They say that amidst the rush of the waterfall you can still hear her crying “Ou est l’acenseur?” I could talk about all these things…. But I won’t. Instead I will tell you about the wonderful hotel we stayed in, the amazing traditional Rwandan dinners served within and beauty of both the canopy walk and the majestic rainforest.
Addendum: I also won’t tell you about the time I could not stop giggling after taking the picture of a monkey who was perched outside Lynn and Louise’s room staring intensely (very intensely mind you!) with the brightest, bluest scrotum I have every seen.

Love Justin