Talk of Bush All Over Town.

So kind of funny, President Bush is in town, but only for one day and one day only. Kigali is kind of like a small town, especially when it comes to relief workers, missionaries, and the American Embassy. Everyone tends to know everyone and hears about everything going on. For instance, on Saturday I was playing soccer with a few women who work at the American Embassy. We have known for a few weeks that President Bush would be coming to Rwanda on Tuesday (today) to visit, so of course I inquired and asked questions. One of my questions was about getting their picture taken with President Bush to which they responded oh of course, I mean he will be at the embassy and will be meeting all the staff. My mouth dropped at how cordial the encounter sounded. She made it sound like they were just going to meet another one of their bosses. My next few questions were about schedules, his whereabouts, and exactly what he would be doing while he was here. Look at me getting all caught up in celebrityism.... and yes, I know that is not a word:-).... Interestingly enough one of the other regular players, could not be there on Saturday because she was preparing First Lady "things." She was preparing to meet and greet and take care of the First Lady who would also be here Tuesday. Also, just weeks prior to his arrival the White House sent in loads of Pre-Bush-Arrival staff who filled up three of our big, main hotels here in Kigali. All those people were here simply to prepare and prep for Bushes one day visit! For the last several days, of course, there has been all this hype about his arrival. American flags have been going up all over town and every taxi driver or person you talk to likes to inform us that our President is coming. I think the Rwandan people are very excited. Even some of our kids are headed to the airport and to the American embassy to meet Bush today. Unfortunately, being the responsible teachers, us teachers cannot leave and go too. Bummer. There is so my hype about Bush coming that this morning all roads from the airport to town were closed from 7-8 a.m. Most likely for high security purposes. So, in order to shift our day around Bush, Amy and I had to leave an hour earlier, 6:20 to get to school instead of our typical 7:10 or so departure. I guess it gave me more time to prepare my classroom being here at school an hour earlier :-). Also, interestingly enough because Bush is doing this BIG five day tour of Africa going to Ghana, Benin, Liberia, Tanzania, and Rwanda he is flying with three Air Force One planes. Boy, would I love to go up to the airport and get a picture of one of them.... As it would be, one of the planes is for the President, First Lady, and Condoleezza Rice. The second is for President Bush's convoy cars, and the third for reporters and other staff who are coming along. Even as I sit here and Bush is running around Kigali, all I can here is a bunch of helicopters hovering and flying. What a big deal and a lot of people for one important man....