If there is ever a time to miss home on the race, it is on holidays. The most recent one was of course the most loved and dreaded of days… Valentine’s. Since we are sworn to start a relationship on this year-long thing that we are on, we had to find other ways to celebrate something that is meant for a couple. As girls, we (Sarah, Samantha, Amber, and I) didn’t really think to plan anything. We thought it was neat and kind of crazy to see this day in Rwanda, sleeping five to one room, going to the bathroom in a hole, showering in a bucket, and eating the same thing everyday. All in all, we were excited, because after all, it was Valentine’s Day.
We woke up and went into the living room for our usual breakfast of hotdog buns, eggs, bananas and tea and were surprised with a pyramid of chocolate candy and a sweet poem from Jared and JD. After breakfast, we found yet another note and a small chest of chocolates in our room. We were then told that we needed to be ready to go out at 5:30 that afternoon, because it was our day off. We went to the airport for internet and came back to “shower,” and get as dressed up as we are able to. It was nice to take our time and put on make-up and look semi-good for whatever lied ahead. The men took us to town where we found our restaurant, Shokola, and were so impressed and excited.
We walked into an outdoor living space with couches, pillows, lanterns, fire pits, and low music. We decided that this was the best date spot, and it was unfortunate that we weren’t on a date, but were grateful anyway. After ordering something other than rice, beans, fries, and meat, JD pulled crackers and cheese from his backpack, which possibly made my race. Everything was beautiful, we had dinner and chocolate cake, and it was perfect.
When we left, there was a hotel down the street that was huge and awesome, so we went in but were not bothered, because we are white. We pretended that we were staying there and proceeded to use their bathroom, all of us did, and walk barefoot on the carpet. Trust me, you learn to appreciate these small luxuries on the race. We sat there for a while, and yes, we were given more candy , this time in a heart shaped box. We finally left, walking home in the rain with smiles on our faces. We were met in our room with a Kit-Kat and a personal poem on our pillows:
Laura —
