Believe it or not one of the most frequented places in Kigali, especially by ex-pats, is the Bourbon Café. The Bourbon has two locations, one in the Union Trade Center and the other in the MTN Center (MTN is the cell phone service provider). It also has locations in the US, I’m told--DC. The Bourbon is more than just a café in that it is part of a coffee cooperative that actually produces and processes the beans. So, one can also purchase Bourbon label coffee in the supermarket. Apparently, Bourbon coffee is also exported to the United States as well.
Now why is it called Bourbon? Why does the owner have New Orleans memorabilia for décor? I’m not really sure why he’s actually got a Bourbon Street sign nestled among the African artifacts. I understand that he spent a lot of time in the States, but I’m not sure that it was in New Orleans. It’s all so mysterious to me, but I am determined to find out.
It’s just a bit weird and disorienting to have coffee there for a native Louisianian. Something is just not quite right about being in the heart of Africa and yet being surrounded by all these reminders of home amidst the African art. I must say though that the coffee is excellent and so is the banana bread. Additionally, there’s free wi-fi, which is a huge plus, and the main reason that so many Muzungu hang out there with their lap-tops in tow. Most of the tables at the MTN location come with their own electrical outlets positioned nearby as well, so it’s really customer friendly.
Maybe when I get back to the US, I’ll open the Rwanda Coffee House or some such entity and decorate it with African artifacts from all of our various travels . Of course, it would be exceedingly difficult to compete with CC’s but maybe the African motif might be a big draw. Who knows!
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