Rice Paddies and Pine Trees

Journey by bus to Butare, which hosts the National University of Rwanda, our first stop on the theatre tour.  We wind along the newly paved road between Kigali & Butare.   Many towns have changed names recently, and before our arrival, we were told that Butare was also known as Huye for reasons not entirely clear.  (Once we arrive, we are told that Butare is in Huye province, but is still known as Butare). 

A crash course in the beauty of the Rwandan countryside.  Great roads, crazy drivers. Steady streams of people working fields or transporting their harvests to destinations unknown to us. Children waving and chasing the bus, "Muzungu, Muzungu"! Kinyarwandan for "white person".

We see long lines of prisoners in orange or pink uniforms along the roadways as we drive. Reminders of the past, and the present.

Terraced farms, with banana trees on the incline.  Rice paddies in the valleys.  Lush, green foliage.

We have been told that Rwanda is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  It is one thing to imagine it, another to experience it.  The powerful beauty of this country is unforgettable.

We have been here for only 12 hours.  Jetlagged and opened by the journey, we approach Butare.

Sun going down on Butare.