Rwanda's Next Top Model, The Military Ball, Thanksgiving Rwandan Style...

The Contenders

Well, let me start off by saying this was NOT what I thought it would be. Poor Paul, he was a trooper! To be generous in describing how things are organized here, let's just say they are always fashionably late. Normally that's right up my alley, but the advertised 6pm start time to the Top Model contest was way late with a 9pm start!!
 
 

 Paul was ready to go before it began but luckily the show was sponsored by Mutzig, a Rwandan beer company, and the beer was free so we enjoyed sitting out in the cool air sipping Mutzig and watching the crowd. Long story short, it was a sort of fashion show, mixed in with 10 girls vying to be Top Model.


 

 


They modeled a few outfits, but were not prepared for the QA part of the show, and things took a turn for the worse when the judges asked each girl how she could make a difference as a top model. 

 Most barely got their name and hometown out and had no clue what the judges were alluding to. They spoke either English, French or Kinyarwanda, with French and Kinyarwanda the main languages. I'll just show you some photos and let you know that the model Paul and I were rooting for won the title!

The 5 finalists

The prizes for the winner were basically nothing! A year's supply of makeup from a local makeup company was top prize along with a trip to the make up factory! LOL They also received some hair care products. With no real prizes Paul's solution was why not make them all top model winners-it doesn't really matter! The judges let us know they were judging using "international standards"...high cheekbones and tall in height. That eliminated half the contestants immediately.

The Winner!!

                                                                      

Our Next Adventure: The Marine Birthday Ball!!

The Marine Birthday Ball...figuring this would be the last time we were invited to a "Military Ball" Paul and I said, what the heck, let's go! What to wear?  I went with Zoe and Annalisa, (a Fulbright friend), along with Agnes, Zoe's Rwandan friend, to Kimironko market to have a dress made. Craziness for sure.

Designing on the go

Creating a dressing room

Searching out the fabric stalls and selecting fabric was lots of fun. Next step was "designing" a dress with Agnes' favorite tailor. Poor girl endured hours of selecting, fitting, explaining and re-fitting but it was a great experience for us.There are tons of stalls at the market with racks and racks of fabric at least 10 feet high. 

 

Along the edges of the fabric stalls are ladies and men with old singer sewing machines, sewing whatever is requested when you buy the fabric.

It took about 10 days and $15 each and we had our dresses for the ball. Unfortunately mine did not fit well and I wore my own dress but the girls dresses looked great.

Our local seamstress hard at work

 The ball was cool with military speeches and presentations. The Ambassador to Rwanda gave a very moving speech as she described the involvement of the marines in keeping the embassy staff safe in several countries including one that required evacuation after a government coup and loss of several friends lives. Then the usual drinking, food, dancing. The 8 marines stationed here in Rwanda were friendly and loved to dance. It's clear they are a close knit group and was nice to see.

Leeanne, Jessica, Rebecca, Zoe, Jessica, Annalisa- all Fulbrights except our Embassy Rep Rebecca!

Jessica, Zoe & Leeanne

Sharing a laugh with her dad

A handsome lad and his lady! We had fun!

Part of the ceremony

The Marines really enjoyed themselves

Zoe designed and picked out fabric for this dress

The "fallen comrade table"

 

After a few drinks and ready to dance

We didn't realize that all the Marines celebrate the Birthday of the Marines with parties all around the world. This was the 240th Birthday of the Marines and they were so excited. We all felt proud of them- the tradition is the oldest Marine present gives the youngest the first piece of cake. The cake was so big it could have fed a small country!

Cake was gigantic & delicious..sort of

Table photo under the stars and stripes- meet Robert on left

 Thanksgiving!! Rwandan Style:

What can I say? 10 people with just enough borrowed forks, knives and plates to go around. Glad to say that solo plastic cups have made it to Africa as well as "Moscow Mules" a very strong drink! With the exception of Robert who went to Zanzibar and Jessica who stayed in Gisenyi the same group assembled at Chez Berman for as close to a traditional thanksgiving dinner as possible. Brianna, Lisa, Jill and Richard rounded out the guests and we had a really nice dinner.


Our Serena Hotel cooked Turkey, house-made gravy, and candied sweet potatoes as only Paul can make along with Jill's amazing homemade challah bread topped the list!

Getting Ready to Carve!

We had quite a few sides including tofu and apples, garlic green beans, arugula/mango/and blue cheese salad, curried lentils and rice. We ate til we were stuffed than finished off with chocolate cake and banana and lemon tartes from the local bakeries.

Jill & Richard- she made a great challah

 This was certainly a Thanksgiving to remember and we all have a lot to be thankful for. Can't imagine what next year will bring!

My Favorite Daughter!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We pulled in an extra table and borrowed plates/forks so everyone could eat at the same time!

The Berman's in Rwanda