With Rwanda under our feet...: Go West, Young Man

Hello, again. It's Ryder! It's been a little while since I've written, I know. I just haven't had a chance to tell you about all the stuff going on over here. I got to go see some really cool things a week or so ago, so I wanted to tell you about it. I'll start with our trip to Butare.

We were on our way to this really cool forest with monkeys, when my mom wanted to stop at a museum. I guess I should get used to this. Admittedly, it was pretty cool - the Rwanda Ancient History Museum. We walked into the old traditional king's hut. It was fun, and there was great lighting for my new basketball uniform that I hang out in now. (Someone go call Will Ferrell from Semi-Pro and tell him that his afro has been borrowed.)

Honey, I'm home!

Next, it was on to the king's cows. They were great, especially with their gigundo horns. I wish I had some on my head! A special man went over to the herd and picked one for us to talk to. He whistled a special song that the cows know. It makes them happy to walk anywhere. The man brought a really good cow...

...and Dada had some time with him.

Before we hit the road for the forest, I took a look at the king's special cup. I want one of these, too.

I'm so glad we brought my potty for this road trip. Thankfully, since the car was sick and had to stop every 10 minutes in the forest, I had plenty of chances to get out for a little break. I couldn't believe it, but just as we were about to get to the hotel, we saw this beautiful rainbow. It was pretty, for a minute...

...until we got a flat tire. It was kinda funny, I think. Well, Dad and Mom were both laughing, so it must've been a little funny. After such a long car ride that was twice as long because of our car's engine problems, Dad drove a mile on the bumpy dirt road on the wheel rim, right up to the hotel! Good idea, Dada.

The hotel was really pretty. It was right next to the rainforest and was part of a tea plantation and had so many small birds and cool bugs and nice plants. Dada took lots of pictures, of course.

(black-crowned waxbill)

(blister beetle - don't touch!)

My favorite part of our trip there was seeing the black and white colobus monkeys. I got to ride in the backpack, which is always fun. Dada carried me and had to climb under all kinds of trees and stuff to follow our guide. It was fun.

When we finally made it to the monkey place, there were so many! I like monkeys.

I liked holding the walking stick. I didn't get one in the backpack, but I got to hold it when we were done.

One morning, Dada got up reeeally early to go on a trip by himself. He really wanted to see the chimpanzees in the forest, and he rode in a car for almost 2 hours to get there. From the sunset on the way there, though, it sure looked like it was worth it. I like sunrises, too, which is why I usually like to get up in time to see all of them!

The trail into the rainforest to look for the chimpanzees. Dada said they had 5 guides with radios to talk to each other, all trying to find a group. Then, after 30 minutes or so, they found some eating some food:

I like the baby chimpanzee...

...and Dada likes these two, who were cleaning each other off.

Here's one of the guides telling another man about the chimpanzees, and here's a praying mantis. I like praying mantisesess, but it's a hard one to say. I'm working on it.