The real beauty of travel lies in the challenges of uncertainty, unfamiliar roads, unexpected situations, and new people.
- Whether in Gisenyi or Kigali, one encounters a miniature Sindh and Sindhi hospitality, folded hands in greeting, the repeated use of the respectful word “Sain,” shared walks, laughter, jokes, the fragrance of Sindhi language in the air, and an overwhelming sense of belonging.
By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden
My first introduction to the African country of Rwanda came through the film Hotel Rwanda. That film became my earliest window into Rwanda, leaving a deep impression on my mind through its portrayal of humanity, pain, fear, survival, and hope. But now, my second introduction to Rwanda comes through the experiences and observations of my own countrymen, which feels far more alive, intimate, and meaningful. Before me lies the vivid account of the wanderings and travels of Baloch Sohbat Ali Sahib and his companions, Junaid Dahar, Sain Mukhtiar Samoon, Partab Shivani, and Mahmood Patujo, in the African country of Rwanda, carefully preserved as a travelogue.
Generally speaking, most people from our region prefer traveling to East Asia, especially Thailand, as well as to Europe and America. They repeatedly visit the same famous places, the same cities, and the same countries where comfort, luxury, and familiarity are easily available. Interestingly, however, many Europeans prefer traveling beyond Europe to places where they can experience something entirely different, such as Asia, Africa, or South America. In my opinion, that is a more mature and advanced form of tourism, where people do not travel merely for leisure and luxury, but to truly witness the diversity of the world.
The real beauty of travel lies in the challenges of uncertainty, unfamiliar roads, unexpected situations, and new people. When someone returns home after enduring and embracing such experiences, the stories they share with family, friends, children, and loved ones carry a special sweetness and warmth. These travel stories are never temporary entertainment; they live on for generations.
Even today, our elders narrate stories of our ancestors, such as our grandfather Haji Qadir Bakhsh Soomro, who traveled from Moro to Tharparkar and then to Ajmer Sharif by train, and journeyed for Hajj by a ship. Such stories are still remembered with reverence in our homes. This is why when someone documents their journeys in the form of a travelogue, it becomes far more than just a book. It turns into a gift for readers, a memory for future generations, and a guidebook for travel enthusiasts. In that sense, this travelogue by Baloch Sohbat Ali serves both purposes beautifully.
While reading the travelogue, one often feels as though they have somehow returned to Sindh itself. This feeling emerges when the travelers arrive in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, nestled among hills and valleys, where they are warmly welcomed by Muzaffar Soomro. Or later, in Gisenyi, where they meet Sajjad Lakhiar from Khairpur Nathan Shah, who is associated with the rice business. Whether in Gisenyi or Kigali, one encounters a miniature Sindh and Sindhi hospitality, folded hands in greeting, the repeated use of the respectful word “Sain,” shared walks, laughter, jokes, the fragrance of Sindhi language in the air, and an overwhelming sense of belonging. Even in distant lands, these things remind one of home.
I can personally relate to this feeling. Meeting someone from your homeland in a distant country feels like a luxury beyond measure. Just last month here in Stockholm, my friends Salman Habib Korai from Moro, who studies in Naples, Italy, and Abdul Qayyum Jamali from Dadu, visited me. They expressed the very same sentiment that encountering one’s own people in a foreign land somehow expands the heart and brings instant comfort. Wherever Sindhis exist, there exists a small Sindh, and in every corner of the world, our traditions of hospitality continue to live on.
This travelogue provides detailed insight into Rwanda’s visas, people, tribes, geography, history, culture, traditional foods, fruits, hotels, local restaurants, natural beauty, languages, currency exchange, politics, tourism, public behavior toward tourists, transportation systems, bus companies, immigration officials at borders, traffic jams and passions, cleanliness, peaceful environment, education system, road infrastructure, traffic laws, lakes, sunsets, wildlife, and especially the mountain gorillas and the conservation efforts of the American woman Dian Fossey.
The descriptions related to the genocide memorials are deeply haunting. The way Baloch Sohbat Ali portrays those scenes sends shivers down the reader. For a sensitive heart, tears become inevitable, and words themselves begin to fail. One is forced to reflect on how hatred, power, and politics can destroy humanity, and how nations somehow still find the strength to rise again.
Here in Sweden, I often notice a specific type of dried banana sold in the vegetable sections of grocery stores, mostly purchased by African customers. I used to wonder what exactly they did with those bananas. Through this travelogue, I finally learned about “Matoke,” the banana stew and roasted bananas commonly eaten in parts of Africa. That is the beauty of travel writing that it not only introduces us to places and people, but also opens windows into everyday details we would otherwise never understand.
In Europe, even if someone is sitting beside you on a bus, unnecessary conversation is rare, and offering food to strangers is even rarer. In contrast, Africa seems to carry a familiar South Asian warmth, where strangers converse freely, share stories, and offer things to one another naturally. At the same time, one admirable aspect is the discipline in transportation; buses generally follow speed regulations and avoid overcrowding, much like in Europe. Perhaps this is the result of education and development, or perhaps simply different business practices. Allah knows best.
Another beautiful aspect mentioned in the travelogue is how Baloch Sohbat Ali frequently sends videos of landscapes and scenery to his close friends during the journey, encouraging them to explore the world as well. In my opinion, this kind of sharing inspires others, and inspiration itself is a beautiful thing. The travelogue also presents rain, cloudy weather, waiting, poetry, travel, and even cigarette smoke in a deeply romantic and atmospheric manner, making the reader not merely observe the journey but emotionally experience it.
The travel narrative includes references to Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, the poetry of Sain Mukhtiar Samoon, Khalil Kunbhar, and Bashir Sitai, along with songs sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. It also recalls places such as Gaaddi Bhit and Karoonjhar in Thar, keeping the traveler spiritually connected to his homeland throughout the journey. Disagreements among travel companions over certain matters are also part of the beauty of travel itself, because years later, those very disagreements become cherished memories and sources of laughter. As the English saying goes, “Two is company, three is a crowd.” Once more, people join a journey, and different opinions and temperaments naturally emerge. One person may crave onions, another eggplant.
In my opinion, when people travel, they should explore as much as they possibly can, because life does not always offer a second chance to revisit distant places. Sometimes one may hesitate to visit a particular destination, but after arriving there, it often turns out to be the highlight of the entire journey. The same happened with Gisenyi. Initially, the friends were reluctant to go, but later they realized the experience alone had made the journey worthwhile.
This travelogue also highlights the lives and businesses of Pakistanis living in cities such as Gisenyi and Kigali, revealing that these countries hold significant opportunities for entrepreneurship and trade. Baloch Sohbat Ali further mentions that in Rwanda, children are officially identified through their mother’s name rather than the father’s name, which feels remarkably different from our own social traditions and compels the reader to reflect deeply.
Another fascinating aspect of the book is that it not only discusses Rwanda but also provides information about its neighboring country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, including its valuable minerals, precious stones, volcanoes, and socio-political conditions.
Muzaffar Soomro’s observation also seems correct that the trip could perhaps have been planned more efficiently to avoid repetitive routes and unnecessary waiting at borders, thereby saving money, time, and energy. But ultimately, travel itself becomes the greatest teacher. People learn only after they travel, and every journey teaches lessons that improve the next one.
This travelogue is filled with knowledge, observation, emotion, and curiosity. At many points, the reader genuinely feels like a fellow traveler accompanying the group throughout the journey. Baloch Sohbat Ali deserves immense appreciation for not only traveling but also documenting his experiences in a way that becomes valuable for future generations.
Travel and tourism are among the greatest gifts bestowed by nature. Many people possess wealth and property, yet never receive or recognize this gift. Therefore, those who remain endlessly occupied with bread, livelihood, and routine should also pause to consider this beautiful blessing of life before time, age, or health no longer permits them to do so.
Read: Losing Yourself to Find Yourself
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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.
