I was on my way to Gisagara, a district I had set out to explore. The journey would eventually lead to the publication of Gisagara: Through the Eyes of a Domestic Tourist, a booklet that will be added to the shelves of the Afrika Nzuri Library and used as one of the reading materials in the Turning Pages program.
I left Kigali at around 7 a.m. on a beautiful, sunny morning.
My initial plan was to stop for coffee at Stafford Coffee in Kamonyi, a place I often drop by whenever I travel to the Southern Province. However, I had already had a cup at home before departure, and it felt too early for another one.
By the time I was approaching the Nyanza branch of Stafford Coffee, the craving had returned, and I also needed a bathroom break. The timing could not have been more convenient.
As my coffee was being brewed, I walked around the café and admired the artwork displayed inside. Then I noticed a quiet corner that immediately caught my attention. It looked perfect for a Turning Pages book club session.
In my mind, the short coffee stop had already become something more. I could picture a small group of readers seated there, discussing one of our travel books over coffee. Perhaps, one day, this place will host a session, or even a series of sessions.
The break did not last long, but it was exactly what I needed. The coffee was refreshing, the setting was inspiring, and the stop gave me fresh energy and fresh ideas before I continued my journey to Gisagara.