Diner en Blanc Kigali 2015

August 19, 2015 Donna 0 Comment #my250, dinerenblanc, natural hair, rwanda

“Why are you paying 15, 000 RWF to go to an event where you have to bring all the food and do all the work, and wear white?”

Many of us who attended DEB got that question or some variation of it. Well the first reason is the fact that I had lots of fun last year. The second reason is that we are not exactly spoiled for choice in terms of social activities and entertainment in Kigali. After all, this is the city where noise police shut down events at 10pm. So we can create some fun for ourselves, and/or we can get on board when the opportunity to be frivolous and dress up presents itself.

Unlike last year when I went alone (and yes, still had a blast), I actually put together a group with friends, and friends of friends this year. Let me tell you, going alone is waaaaaay easier. How much time did we spend on Whatsapp figuring out the décor, organising the ticket purchase, deciding who would cook what, and determining what counts as white? Is beige ok? Is ivory ok? What about cream? Ha! Anyway, all the planning paid off, as we won best table and our prize is a camping trip in the Akagera National Park. I’ve been meaning to go camping forever, so I’m definitely excited.

The deal with Diner en Blanc is that you are supposed to meet an appointed location and then be bussed to the actual “secret location” where the dinner will be held. I just KNEW it was going to be at the national stadium this year. First of all, the instructions said “the secret location will be in the heart of Kigali.” The stadium is the only place I could think of that’s “in the heart of Kigali” that has flat land and space enough for 500+ people to be seated at tables. The other option would be to block off a road, but they did that a couple years back and I didn’t think they’d repeat it so soon. So the good news is my guess was right. The bad news is, I don’t get any brownie points for it.

I predicted the location. Because I am Miss Cleo.

One of the most fun parts of DeB is seeing the fantastical creations that people come up with for their table décor. I think people put much less effort into the décor this year, but I did see lots more avant garde fashion. Clothes >>> decorations, I guess. On another note, I also think the organisers did a good job of exposing us to something new by choosing less known spots for the pre-party (Chillax Lounge) and the after party (Spring Club). Who comes up with these names?

Check out my “home video” below, plus a few pics from the evening.

A view of Diner en Blanc at Amahoro Stadium, from above.

My tablemates and I :-) — My tablemates and I – The Kigali Naturalistas crew

Setting up our table - The Garden of Eden. Photo cred: Illume — Setting up our table – The Garden of Eden. Photo cred: Illume

When you ask your friend to take a picture of you, but she takes a selfie instead.

Ok. She eventually took some photos of me.

My favourite dress of the night. It just screams African goddess.

Love this pic. Also, Kigali is so small that I run into my students everywhere. Can't be helped. — Love this pic. Also, Kigali is so small that I run into my students everywhere. Can’t be helped.

Tablemates. Also cousins. They're adorable. — Tablemates. Also cousins. They’re adorable.

I think you have to be a cool person if your name is 'Nice'. — I think you have to be a cool person if your name is ‘Nice’.

Hello friends! (Never mind my selfie stick shadow. Haha)

For a second I thought this was going to be a marriage proposal. There was one last year after all.

I hope they win most creative. They were an octopus and a squid. It takes commitment to keep a basket on your head all night.

I didn’t take a lot of photos this year as I was having too much fun videotaping things on my phone with my selfie stick. Ha! So watch the video and let me know what you think…Until next time.