Akagera

We went to Akagera, a national park in the eastern part of the country on the border with Tanzania, with others from the guest house.  As we got farther away from Kigali bicycles play a more important role in transportation – second only to foot.  

 First we went to a place near Akagera where a women’s cooperative produces traditional imigongo art.  These are made using cow-dung which dries on a board and is painted.  It was used to decorate the insides and outsides of houses and important buildings.

 

Then we went to Akagera where they have the animals we often associate with Africa.  It’s a really great park which would be wonderful for mountain biking except for the possibility of encountering an angry buffalo or irritated baboon.  You are required to stay in the vehicle and have a park guide with you.  Most of the time the animals leave as we drive up.

Ron and I stayed in the hotel; the others camped (I don’t know how to reconcile the camping area with the above requirement, but the guide said its totally safe).  In the evening I went to the lobby to read.  There were two books there.  Here’s one of them, and also Ron trying to read it (but it’s in Dutch) - and another picture of it next to some weaver-bird nests.

(Just so you know:  Linda Barnes is a Boston mystery writer)