Golden Monkeys and Last Trip Across Rwanda, December 28th, 2023

We started out the day in our eco-lodge close to Volcanoes National Park. We were off early to meet our guide and the other souls in our golden monkey group. When we arrived, I was surprised to see that we had been put into a group with nearly 50 other tourists from a wide range of places. We met a man from Vancouver Island who had been travelling in Africa for 4 months already and still had another 2. We began our hike up to the national park, a much easier hike than the one up to see the gorillas. We passed through some muddy farmers' fields and joked about some German guys wearing Air Force 1s and designer jackets on a monkey safari in Africa. We were able to see them from a potato field right next to the national park. The golden monkeys travel in large groups and are surprisingly golden. The park rangers mainly tried unsuccessfully to stop the monkeys from stealing potatoes from the field. We got super close to the monkeys, most coming right up to our ankles. It's incredible how dextrous their hands and feet are, allowing them to seamlessly strip the bark right off of sticks and manoeuvre from tree to tree. We hiked back to the car, drove back to the eco-lodge, and had one final lunch (African-style burger, which was absolutely amazing, vegetables infused into the patty, incredible!) at the place before starting the trip to Kigali, beginning the wrap on our cross-Rwanda journey, over the past week. I tried to read and write this blog in the car, but I could not. Driving in this country is so entertaining, with the mix of people walking along the roads carrying seemingly impossible to carry things on their heads and bikes as well as the street side activity going on in every town it has made me really happy to see a significant number of people making the most of what is given to them. It gives me a great perspective on my own life, looking out at the smiling Rwandans going about their days. This, just as much of travelling does, gives us things to bring back and implement in our own lives on return; for me, seeing the joy in all the little everyday nuances is what I hope to take away. The people here inspire me for what countries that have had even the darkest of pasts can overcome. It is not impossible for things to get better, and in the case of the Rwandans, the darkest days do not remain forever, and we can continue to improve each and every day, seeking joy in life and people.  

We arrived at our hotel in Kigali late in the afternoon, saying a final goodbye to Jimmy. He was excited to get home and spend some time with his family and have a nice home-cooked meal. I am looking forward to Tanzania and whatever it has. In everything else I see on this trip, I hope to continue to deepen my understanding of gratitude for my life and where and why I can find joy in the little things. The Rwandans have taught me that the small stuff is important to enjoy, and as they like to say in the words of Bob Marley, "Don't worry, be happy." 

Volcanoes National Park