Respite: a short period of relief from something difficult or unpleasant.
With the emotionally draining events of the past 24 hours . . .
. . . completion of 2 days of training via interpreter with the security forces . . .
. . . a long drive to the remote Seeds of Peace Conference Center . . .
. . . awaking to illness among our team members . . .
. . . the confrontation of our feelings and the realities of the plight of refugees . . .
. . . and the disappointment of not immediately fulfilling our dream of leaving gifts for the refugees and the children . . .
. . . our team desperately needed a time to regroup.
And what could be a better venue for that moment than a nice leisurely lunch on our way back to Kigali?
We retrieved Allison from the Seeds of Peace Center. We were relieved to find her feeling better, but still concerned as she courageously boarded the bus.
At Ben’s suggestion, we set our course for the Eastland Motel Kayonza. Upon arrival, we found that the location was the venue for a business conference. But, since we didn’t arrive until after 1 p.m., the staff located a vacant dining room and escorted us in.
Within minutes, our orders were taken. Almost 2 hours later, our food was ready. That’s right. Two hours later.
And out of 9 orders, seven were wrong. Most involved the inclusion of vegetables on hamburgers. And since vegetables found on hamburgers are generally rinsed in water that may or may not be filtered for American intestinal tracts, we placed a premium on having the order right. But fearing another lengthy wait, we adjusted.
And Allison, out of an abundance of caution, ordered a fruit plate — oranges. And then she learned that locally, oranges are more like limes. Eventually adjustments were made. Had she not, she’d be puckered still.
The Eastland Motel also features a guest restroom that requires the women to walk through the men’s restroom. If that doesn’t bring you pause, I don’t know what will.
Sometimes respite is comprised of just enough hassle to help you forget what you needed respite from.