Interviewing and reality check

Completed two interviews today - one at Nyanza-Kicukiro and the other in the garden of Yves house in Kigali. Limits like availability of electricity and ambient noise just to name two, will have to be taken into account in the future. The first interviewee, Emmanuel G. was a survivor of the Nyanza-Kicukiro massacre. He got out because one of the Hutu killers recognized him and for money got Emmanuel, his brother and sister out of the area. We interviewed him first sitting down and then asked to walk around and describe what happened where.




Lunch was at Chez Lundo. Experienced "African time" and had a discussion around the table about it. Lunch did arrive, about two hours late; we did not have a reservation at the restaurant which was the reason for the delay. I asked if one could just get up and leave since it took so long and they said the owner can make you pay for the food that you have not received if you ordered, so you have really no choice but to wait. And the more I thought I about it - I wondered if it was because it is too costly to simply keep food around for potential customers - if they don't come the food may have to be thrown out. And who can waste food?...


Second interview with a woman, Evelyn B., at Yves house - great garden front and back. We filmed the interview outside. My photos turned out good, so I hope the video did as well.


The picture is of Yves dog and house - I have seen maybe three dogs in total the entire time - I wondered if the concept of pets was not common and/or usually only known among those who are - comparatively speaking - well off. Pets need food - for most not something they can spare with an animal that is not for consumption as well. The guide at the Rwandan National Museum made a comment about that to me - how dogs are just a nuisance and who can afford to feed them. I later read something else in regard to 'no dogs around' though that was about the immediate years after the genocide. Many dogs were killed when caught eating on bodies.