From our in-country correspondent . . .
Tipping is not customary in most places with the exception of some hiher end restaurants in town. For these places, 10% is customary, far different than our 15 to 20% here in the states.
Nymirambo, Rwanda
From our inside correspondent . . .
If you travel to the Nymirambo area, there is a street gang called the Abugera (not sure how to spell it). They will gladly take your money, your clothes and your shoes. Their hours are 8:30 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. I only know this because two friends of mine that live in the area were cornered several evenings by the grup on their way home. Apparently, they told my local friends that they owed them money and thy knew they had it because they saw them walking with a Muzungu, me, earlier in the day. I’m not real sure how to advise you on this one. I didn’t give them money. I was just walking with them. We certainly don’t want to put our Rwandan friends in danger with our presence. I just thought I’ make you aware.
Should you give alm everywhere you go?
Expect to have people ask you for money everyday, even several times a day. This is something that you just will have to get use to. I had a group of kids follow me home several times during my first two weeks in Kigali. Be careful, the older street-kids and the homeless adults are always watching and you don’t want to make any of the other the children who are not homeless a target.
Black Like Me ~ Not
Realize that as a Muzungu, aka: white person; you are generally quoted 6 to 10 times the local price for anything. Negotiating is expected. The Rwandans rather enjoy it. Feel free to walk away or even down the street if you feel a price is too steep.
