Wednesday night (the night of the incredible spectacle nature treated me to), I was down in my hotel bar watching a Premier League football match when I struck up a conversation with a gentleman who was there with some friends. He overheard me tell the bartender I am from America, and he said while he is a Rwandan native, he has spent the last eight years living in Calgary. Talk about a change in scenery.

Very nice guy – his name is France and he was visiting here before heading back to the Great White North. The soccer match completed, I excused myself to retire for the night and we wished each other well

The following night, I stayed at a wonderful new hostel here in Kigali, and the owner asked if I had had dinner yet and asked if I would like to explore a local eatery with him. I was eager to explore another new dining experience and get to know this fascinating guy, who has traveled all over the world.

So he and I are sitting in the restaurant somewhere in Kigali, and I hear someone yelling, “John! John!” Turns out, France was there entertaining a couple of beautiful women, and he saw me across the room. We had a great mini-reunion and exchanged info. I may visit him in Alberta for a hockey game, eh? Small world, especially considering Kigali has over a million residents (though yes, most won’t be hanging out at my hotel bar – LOL).

By the way, the name of my hotel Wednesday night was the Karisimbi Hotel, which ironically happens to be the name of one of the volcanic mountains in the area I was traipsing around in today.