So, I had this whole other post planned about swallowing my
pride, that it is not about my own will, but that of the people that I work
with and for my patients. But another interesting thought occurred to me while on the bus to
Kigali.
Usually, I take the Volcano Bus Line between Kigali and
Butare. When possible, I get the front seat. There is no seat belt, so if
anything bad happens, well, at least I can say that I had a good run at it. In this seat, I feel I can stretch out more,
nap more comfortably, and enjoy the full beauty of this country.
It is around lunch time here, and the children are getting
out of school. Primary School is split between AM and PM sessions because there
are not enough teachers to teach all of the students, so they do half days.
There are literally thousands of children between all of the towns I have
passed walking home from school. They have their uniforms on, and act like all
school children around the world: playing, laughing, taunting the bus, and
waving to the mzungu in the front seat.
I had a curious thought while observing them: I wonder what
they aspire to? What do they want to be
when they grow up? Do they see the hundreds of moto drivers in town, and want
to do that? Do they want to be doctors? Lawyers? Firefighters? President of
Rwanda? Do their parents tell them like my parents told my siblings and I that
through hard work, dedication, and a little luck, that we can be and do
anything we want? Ever the optimist, I think they do, but with a caveat: parents are
more realistic with their children. I honestly don’t know. My poor Kinyarwanda prevents me from asking this
question, but I will have to use my students as a proxy to find out. Please,
tell me what you think?
Cool. Off to Kigali for a meeting, and a night of restaurant
food and friends. In the past, I used to stay up until all hours of the night,
but now, I am tired by 1000. In the immortal words of Roger Murtaugh from the
Leathal Weapon movies: “I am too old for this shit…” haha
Until next time…
Enjoy life, Find meaning, Be happy,
Craiger
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