Hey Reader,

It’s been a minute since my last newsletter (again)! After exploring Djibouti and Addis Ababa over Christmas and NYE, I fell back into a nice routine in Kigali, attempting padel, trying out new fitness classes (seriously, don't ask about the trampoline exercise haha), and exploring the city even more. Though we’ve been here a year now, it somehow feels like both more and less time has passed.

We’ve also had some great friends visit us lately, so we've been wandering around the country getting more insights.

This past weekend, my friend Ursula and I (+ Wilhelm) went to trek the gorillas! It felt like the perfect way to celebrate our one-year "Kigaliversery." Stay tuned for my advice on how to visit the gorillas, and you can see how the trek turned out on my Gorilla highlight on Instagram.​

I’ve got quite a few updates for you below, with more to come soon. (I’m currently procrastinating on the Djibouti guide, but that's a problem for May!)

Over the last two weeks, I’ve been on a mission to find more contemporary Rwandan fiction to dive into. I just finished a cool book by a young local author named Esther, whom I met at a writers' event last month. Think: The Good Place meets Terry Pratchett in Rwanda.

I also just had a new collection of short stories, A Thread of Silent Echoes, delivered by another local author, Patrick. These books, along with my other recommendations (including a great online blog by a local deaf activist), are all available in either print or e-book format.

Books about Rwanda ​Read more...​

Kigali Cheat Sheet

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Recent Blog Posts

What to pack for Rwanda

My friend's trip inspired me to write up a guide for what to pack for Rwanda. Whether you plan to hike, trek the primates, or explore Kigali, I've got what you need! If you need inspo on where to stay, I've also collected all my fav suggestions in one Kigali Hotel Guide.

What to pack for Rwanda ​Read more...​

Activities in the Countryside

Looking for a weekend trip? I loved this night fishing experience from Kibuye, where I learned about and saw traditional fishing practices with a magnificent sunset.

We had such a great time in Addis Ababa in January that we took the chance to go back again! Earlier this month, Wilhelm was there on a work trip, and I joined in for the fun. I spent a lot of time exploring the city. Addis is such a great option, whether you have a six-hour layover or a couple of days to spare while transiting through. The airport is in the city so you can get to many destinations within 30 minutes.

I’ve put together a list of my favorite cafes and restaurants from the week, along with plenty of things to do. A "must-experience" is a tour of the Merkato market; I went with a guide this time and highly recommend it. I've also got a 3-day itinerary as well as a list of what to do in Addis. ​

​What to do in Addis Ababa​ ​Read more...​

I've been updating my DC drinks and restaurants posts whenever my sister heads out to new spots. And, I sent her on a Ghost Tour downtown. She was pleasantly surprised! If you're looking for something different to do with family, friends, or even on a date, this is a funky idea. Book it here.

You can keep up to date on what I'm up to on Instagram. Otherwise, see you next month!