| Butare Rwanda Hotel
|
< Older | Newer >
|
|
|
Butare Rwanda Hotel
I am in one of the nicer Hotels of my East Africa trip, the name of the lodging is,
“New Gratia Motel.”
---------------------------------
Butare, Rwanda
East Africa
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Where Andy Slept in Butare
---------------------------------
Every room in the Hotel faces this garden in the courtyard; this area is truly beautiful and pleasant. The Motel / Hotel has parking and is on a quiet street just a block away from Internet and a great super market.
I was writing the other day that Hotels can be like putting together a puzzle with a few pieces missing here is a good example.
As best I can tell, this Motel does not have running water, I have slept here for two nights and it for sure is a question mark. Somehow the toilet is refilled during the night, however, during the day there I no water.
The Hotel supplies a large bucket of water and will fill it without an argument.
This standard plastic washbasin has been supplied in rooms of Kenya, Uganda and now Rwanda. As best I can figure the people in these countries often do not always take showers, they just use the washbasin to clean their faces. Therefore when seen this, I did not get my attention and not having water on a temporary basis is common. A good hotel in East Africa will have an extra bucket of water sitting around for when there is no water.
However, this is a Motel is mystery to me; there has never been running water in this Hotel to use. Butare is a modern city, it is not an African slacker city, it is one of the more modern cities I have encountered in East Africa. I ask the Managers of the Hotel and various workers here, they all agree to never answer my question. The staff is not friendly, they are not unfriendly, they are closed, however the owner Martin is very friendly and talkative, yet ignores the question,
“What is wrong with the water?”
There is no hot water, I heat my own, the altitude is 1750 meters above sea level, it is cold at night, and there is no reason for a fan at this altitude, however truly a need for hot water.
The majority of tourist travelers stay in the Ibis or the Faucon and pay about 30-50 US per night, I am paying 8, there has been no foreigners in my Hotel, however this city has more than any other location I have visited in East Africa. Only Fort Portal, Uganda had close to the same. I have avoided Kigali, Rwanda and Kampala, Uganda.
I have not met any long-term backpackers in East Africa, only Missionaries, NGO workers, Peace Corps and a few pay-through-the-nose Tourist on short trips of one to three weeks. Hmm, I did meet one overland 4-wheel drive couple in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia who was driving down to South Africa. Generally, the normally cross country backpacker are not here, even though East Africa is cheap and easy, the daily hotel is always under 10 dollars per night and I could live for 5 or less if I took rooms with shared showers and toilets.
Butare Rwanda Hotel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airport Parking
Gatwick Parking
Holiday Insurance
Manchester Airport Parking
-------------------- advertisement ------------------- Hobo Ads ---
< Older | Newer >
Share on Facebook
Previous Posts
Burundi is it Safe Travel Tip - Burundi is it Safe Travel Tip
Is it safe to enter a country?
The question is always time sensitive. I have asked this question four times in my life, when I went to these three countries.
1. I ...
Rwanda Verizon Global Data Connection - Rwanda Verizon Global Data Connection
I am using a BlackBerry Storm here in Rwanda to publish articles to the Travel Journal. I am flabbergasted; this Verizon Global Data Connection has allowed me to ...
Rwanda Genocide - Rwanda Genocide
I am a people person at the end of the day, I like people and cultures, generally Rwandans and Ugandans have not been happy and fun people. I truly do not want to focus on this; howev ...
View if Rwanda from Van Seat - View of Rwanda from Van Seat
I left Gitarama, Rwanda and traveled to Butare. Rwanda is a beautiful country; the rolling hills of hoe farmed terraces have never ended.
The view of the countrys ...
The Pain of Childbirth Travel Tip - The Pain of Childbirth Travel Tip
If women could remember the pain of childbirth they would never have another baby. Many readers have a vacation view of travel, 8 days, and 7 nights in a resort, if ...
Newer Posts
Exchange Rwanda Francs for US Dollars - Exchange Rwanda Francs for US Dollars
I am in Butare, Rwanda, I want to go to Burundi, however my money situation baffled me until today. I had about 450,000 Rwanda Francs and wanted to buy 400,000 F ...
Lebanese Super Market Butare Rwanda - Lebanese Super Market in Butare Rwanda
There is a Lebanese man by the name of Tarik here in Butare, Rwanda who owns a super market. The name is the Matar Super Market, when I met him I said,
“I feel ...
2009 May 28 Enter Burundi Leave Rwanda - 2009 May 28 Enter Burundi Leave Rwanda
I entered the country of Burundi on May 28, 2009 in the morning; it cost 20 dollars for a 3 day visa. This Visa was a mistake on my part; I somehow assumed I wo ...
2009 May 28 Enter Tanzania Leave Burundi - 2009 May 28 Enter Tanzania Leave Burundi
I left Burundi at the city of Kobero and entered into Kabanga, Tanzania on May 28, 2009. The 90 day visa cost 50 US dollars for a US citizen; I got it on arri ...
Crazy Trip to Burundi and Tanzania - Crazy Trip to Burundi and Tanzania
What a day, I took a tour of many types of Africa transportation, my body is beat up, I need to rest here in Kabanga, Tanzania for a day or two and allow my body to ...
Reader Submitted Comments | Deleted Comments (0)
Little Blossom said on Thursday June 25th, 2009 11:40:31 PM 
Andy
Thank you for sharing your words, emotions, pictures and the truth with those of us who enjoy reading about your journey.
Laughter, sorrow, beauty, weariness, all of these emotions pour out onto the screen.
Your comment is a question Ive often asked myself, as Im sure many of us have:
I have been through this emotional roller coaster many times. Every person is different, I know when my energy is being drained, and I know ways to restore my energy. I often walk away from a person and ask myself,
“Does this person give me energy or am I weaker?”
May you find the pieces of your puzzle while on your journey.
Andy HoboTraveler.com said on Thursday June 25th, 2009 11:46:49 PM
Little Blossom,
Thanks for the words of wisdom, there are Emotional Vampires who will rob us of our energy, sometimes cloaked in nice sounding noise.
Andy
Allen said on Sunday January 31st, 2010 05:19:31 PM
Hello Blogger,
Thank you for your blog. It had been very helpful to me and my family. We are also planning a trip to east Africa in July. I was wondering if you have any other pictures of Motel Gratia to share or other comments. We are planning to visit Butare before we head to Burundi.
Anything would be helpful. Thank you
Allen A.
Leave a Comment
< Older | Newer >
|
|
|
|
|
