tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15791856479994330442024-03-13T05:03:14.236+02:00My Rwandan Journeymy journey to Africa to learn how to restore the rhythm of lifebarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-30102773541852975062012-11-11T09:47:00.000+02:002012-11-11T09:48:18.501+02:00rhythm of life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1U7gUaQJOkc5KBkRXB6c3oXkdIb-MR0HulcDu-FZRrJ2oQRDbXj1LHG5eTkzN-w_eKvBG2BFhOfWtgS-FVyGFHYAwQWZkZYdaW9V9JxS9kdRUUDEJXPR1TIbbzzJ_FC2UZKRYnQVFanVe/s1600/DSC06513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1U7gUaQJOkc5KBkRXB6c3oXkdIb-MR0HulcDu-FZRrJ2oQRDbXj1LHG5eTkzN-w_eKvBG2BFhOfWtgS-FVyGFHYAwQWZkZYdaW9V9JxS9kdRUUDEJXPR1TIbbzzJ_FC2UZKRYnQVFanVe/s400/DSC06513.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">perfectly clear and still last day in Rwanda</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before I came here, various people kept saying to me, “You’re
going to be changed when you come back.”
When a friend visited me in April, she said, “I thought you would be
changed by now,” seeming a bit disappointed that I wasn’t somehow <i>different</i> from before I had moved here. I didn’t understand what anyone meant, and I
found the word “change” to be frustratingly maddening in a way. I didn’t really <i>want</i> to change when I came here, I certainly didn’t venture to
Rwanda in <i>order</i> to change, and quite honestly
I didn’t feel as though anything was wrong with me that needed to change. Here I am nearly one year later and I now
understand the transformative nature that Agahozo and Rwanda have had on me. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Something that I have said consistently since walking away
from things in the States is that nobody on this journey knew me before I lost
my brother, therefore nobody missed the old version of who I was, and who I could
no longer be. For better or worse, the
old version of who I was and who I had become over the course of 31 years, died
with my brother. Everyone I met and have
interacted with over the past year knows me only as Barrett. They have nothing to compare me against and
that freedom is refreshing. There are
so many people back home who either consciously or involuntarily hope that my
year away will help me convert back to who I was before my world was
shattered. I will save all of you from the suspense – it hasn’t happened, and it’s not
possible. Yes, this experience has
“changed” me, but it has not brought me back around to who I was before. This experience has allowed me to pick up the
pieces of myself and reshape the puzzle.
I cannot even begin to explain the level of frustration I have faced
while trying to redefine my sense of self and figure out who I am and what is
important to me, and it is still something I work through each and every day. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The distance from friends and family has also helped me to
rewrite my address book, so to speak.
All the grief books speak about the fact that so many people surround
you during the first few weeks after tragedy strikes, but then the true test
begins and you quickly see who is going to be by your side for the long-haul
and who has just moved on with their life, forgetting about you while you
wallow in the depths of sorrow. I have
had some amazing people support me over the past year and others who seemingly
disappeared into the nether regions of the world. At first it bothered me that so many people
seemingly forgot about me, but then I began to see it with a fresh
perspective. I liken it to cleaning out
a closet full of clothes, tossing out the clutter, freeing up space and
starting new. I have found new sources
of strength from people I never thought to lean on before, and I have gained
valuable insight from others who seem to have come along on this journey with
me, understanding me for me and not wishing I was somebody else. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What aspects of me have been redefined or discovered? I am not sure where to begin. My reaction to setbacks has diminished quite
a bit and if it’s possible, I think that I am more laid-back. I have learned to let go of my desire to
control that which I cannot, and just go with the flow. Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of
frustrations each day that seemingly send me over the edge, but just recently my
dear friend (and fellow year-long volunteer in the Village) Maytal said to me,
“imagine how you would have reacted 11 months ago!” Growth.
“Buhoro buhoro” is a common saying here, meaning slowly by slowly. EVERYTHING happens slowly here; to the point
where I think things have a tendency to move backward before inching their way
forward. Not only have processes evolved
and matured with policies and procedures that I have helped to introduce over
the past year, but I have evolved and matured ... slowly. This is a place where you can’t fight the
flow – you just have to ride the current sometimes and see where you end up,
much like if you fall out of a raft in the middle of a class 5 white water
rapid :) Do I still get annoyed when certain things
don’t go according to plan or communication appears to have come to a
screeching halt? Absolutely. I am not above admitting that I am still a
work in progress, but the annoyance and disappointment does not linger and
fester inside of me for very long, which is an immense change from when I
arrived here in December. I have learned
to let things go, move on, and tackle other crusades. The other day I said that I wish I didn’t
care so much about the work I do, but the fact is that I do care. I care a lot about everything I touch,
whether living or inanimate. I am not
wired not to care, and although that very essence of who I am drives me crazy
at times, it is who I am and I have learned to accept and embrace it. I like to right wrongs, improve malfunctions,
and put my all into everything I pursue.
I have also become more selfless. The
Rwandan culture has a way of making what is mine, yours, and I have adopted
that sharing mentality. I have come to
appreciate the challenges that I face on a daily basis here in Rwanda, and I
more wholly understand how others saw this journey before I even began
here. This experience is not for the
weak, it is not for the apathetic, and it is not for the imprudent. This is the type of place where I have
learned how to solve problems under the weirdest of situations and now have the
confidence to deal with any kind of stress or situation back in the real
world. I have discovered that a
minimalist existence is not so bad. Yes
certain creature comforts are just that – comforting, but they are not
necessary to live. I have endured just fine
without a closet and 2 dressers full of clothing, without shopping malls,
without a car, without close-toed shoes (yes I wear flip-flops EVERY day), and without home décor. This term I have also learned to adapt without
water! Yes, my last “shower” in Rwanda
was in fact a sponge bath of sorts, using jerry can water because the running
water has not been functioning for days.
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are aspects of Rwanda that I won’t miss. I won’t miss public transportation and having
to sit so close to other people that there is barely room to breathe. I was acutely aware of the contraction of
nearly every kind of germ there was when I first arrived, but a germ-a-phobe
would never survive here, so I had to quickly adjust my ways of thinking. I will not miss the food. I am not a picky eater and the vegetarian
diet has jived with my preference for not eating meat, however most meals have
the nutritional value of a burlap sack and a staple of the Rwandan diet,
cassava has the added bonus of having trace amounts of cyanide. The cooks in the Village do a tremendous job
of cooking 3 meals a day for 600 people, yet they overcook each meal to the
point where the flavors are nearly indistinguishable. There are so many complex carbohydrates in
each meal that although it fills your stomach, you feel as though you’ve
ingested a plate full of rocks instead of actual food. I will not miss the flies or the mosquitoes
(one was trapped inside my mosquito net the night before last and it nearly
drove me batty!). I won’t miss the
toilet paper situation in this Village, or the crappy (no pun intended) quality
of toilet paper in this country when it is acquirable. I won’t miss the smell of perspiration. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have become indifferent to the cold showers, doing laundry
by hand, and the feeling that I’m never truly clean because as soon as I step
out of the shower, I seemingly walk into a red fog of dirt that sticks to every
inch of my skin and makes everything feel gritty. I don’t mind having to boil my water, or
unplugging my electronics each time I leave the room for fear of power surges
when the electricity comes on and off. I
don’t mind having to walk long distances to get anywhere, or waking up each
time it rains during the night because of the immense noise the water makes
when it hits the metal roof. I don’t
mind the slow internet (imagine dial-up slow), or eating food off of a plate and
fork that were washed in not-so-clean water.
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are far more pieces of Rwanda that I will dearly
miss. I will miss the friends I have
made, most especially my “partner in crime” Maytal. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtuA3gocZIqbgEo9Y45diP3NyVsrprqYcrPQaKcWozXgSqVpVgvabC8ER-5h89N1UrIC3azjmD8qCGqn6Fq_zF2-JSRg22ersMgQyTm5LDmhJI_xbIEZu5qWyMvLWi-lclg9Q1eH8aMnj/s1600/DSC06527.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtuA3gocZIqbgEo9Y45diP3NyVsrprqYcrPQaKcWozXgSqVpVgvabC8ER-5h89N1UrIC3azjmD8qCGqn6Fq_zF2-JSRg22ersMgQyTm5LDmhJI_xbIEZu5qWyMvLWi-lclg9Q1eH8aMnj/s320/DSC06527.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my last full day in Rwanda was spent at Lake Muhazi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She began this journey with me and rarely do
we spend a day apart from one another. People
actually regularly call us each other’s names because we are apparently
one-in-the-same. She knows my pulse,
what makes me tick, what makes me smile, and she has been such an instrumental
fixture in my life over the past year. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZphGicBoVb25j99llLRZqh-fxAGbSxbbVysj5IECO4NhhPS7FcF1IiFLh30_Tusqp5Wr80pV_VWx_hiJdoswl0s_xv8w3b5_hOlp8uE2BoQGRAp50BThbRqYxAxClD74FVo-gUqJUt_i/s1600/DSC06514.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZphGicBoVb25j99llLRZqh-fxAGbSxbbVysj5IECO4NhhPS7FcF1IiFLh30_Tusqp5Wr80pV_VWx_hiJdoswl0s_xv8w3b5_hOlp8uE2BoQGRAp50BThbRqYxAxClD74FVo-gUqJUt_i/s320/DSC06514.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my Rwandan big sister</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will miss Mable, my Rwandan big sister. She has taught me so much, been so kind and loving, and made me feel welcome from the first day I met her back in December 2011. (<i>see photo of Mable and me below</i>) I
will miss the safety and security that I feel in this country. Everyone was so fearful of me coming to
Rwanda, yet I have never felt safer in my entire life. This is a country where everyone looks out
for everyone else, violent crime is nearly non-existent, and white foreigners
are a bit of an anomaly and are revered.
I will miss the endless vistas and beautiful landscapes across this
entire country. For a place so wrought
by a violent past, there is so much peace and tranquility in the air here and I
will miss that. At night the air is
filled with the sounds of crickets and frogs and a quiet stillness that seems
to make the world pause. I will miss the
open-air markets. I will miss the
culture of this country. To be
surrounded by such patriotism that is unrelenting and consistent is
admirable. I will miss the little joys
that I find in each and every day.
Sometimes it’s the discovery that the internet works or that there are
bananas in the kitchen – it’s the little things in life that fill each day with
bits of delight. I will miss the amazing
sights – seeing ladies lugging baskets filled with things atop their head while
toting a baby on their back. As
described in <u>The Poisonwood Bible</u> so accurately, “the women are pillars
of wonder, defying gravity while wearing the ho-hum aspect of perfect
tedium. They can sit, stand, talk, shake
a stick at a drunk man, reach around their backs to fetch forth a baby to
nurse, all without dropping their piled-high bundles upon [their heads].” I will miss the colors of this country. The trees and grass are the most brilliant
shade of green my eyes have ever seen and the dirt is the most striking rust
color imaginable. The traditional
tapestries are brightly printed pinks and oranges and greens and blues (<i>see the photo of my present from my Rwandan
family below</i>). </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0SqW5KTT67-mT5Haqjxv4N-4rM6onIwcwtPJU9_wmsI23CCrQ6sxb5z32sc6BtiP-OMWLu77UwEhnMwjsogAcLHzA5GZ11WyRhSRq5BNxDi0xHX6UkqYd7J7N-V-C-JqiWot5lkhTsdk/s1600/DSC06497.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0SqW5KTT67-mT5Haqjxv4N-4rM6onIwcwtPJU9_wmsI23CCrQ6sxb5z32sc6BtiP-OMWLu77UwEhnMwjsogAcLHzA5GZ11WyRhSRq5BNxDi0xHX6UkqYd7J7N-V-C-JqiWot5lkhTsdk/s320/DSC06497.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maytal and me posing with the earrings and traditional fabric from our family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The fabrics are festive and
joyful, even when they are covered in several layers of dust and dirt, and the
fabrics are printed with some of the oddest things (imagine President Obama’s
face plastered amid an orange and green paisley print). I will miss the carelessness of clothing
coordination. Young and old alike wear
plaids, polka dots, floral and gingham together as if they all complement one
another. It’s a tremendous sight to
behold! Most of all I will miss the kids
in this Village. They arrived with eyes
that were filled with happiness and sorrow at the same time. They were unexcited by anything and were mere
passengers in life. They had never had the opportunity to be kids and play, and rarely had felt the kind of love and affection that every child deserves. Over the course of
the year I have seen the students here emerge from their broken shells and transform into
drivers of their destiny. They are
precious in every way imaginable. I have
come to love them for so many reasons and I have learned to let them love
me. Saying goodbye to them as they left
the Village yesterday was absolutely heart-wrenching. I was sobbing like I was sending my kids off
to University! They appreciate the work
being done in the Village and the opportunities they have. To have a student say to me, “thank you for
being a part of my life” and “I will look at you as one of my best friends
forever” is powerful. To be told that my
being here was “life-changing” for someone is astounding. Understanding the kind of love that I gave
and received here is something so very special that I hope to hold on to for
the rest of my life. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A great friend and source of strength for me (whom I met in
Rwanda) told me that my grief has propelled me forward. Without grief, this experience would have
been wholly different. Not better, not
worse, just different. The founder of
this Village assured me that this would be the “perfect place” for me to heal
my heart, and she was right. There is something
extraordinary that goes on inside the gates of this Village. It can’t really be described because it’s in
the air. The energy here is unlike
anything I have felt before, and that energy is filled with love and support
and peace. One of my brother Kurt’s
close friends and I have been emailing each other all year and a few weeks ago
I asked him what he thought Kurt would say about this journey of mine. He said, “I hear him being thankful for the
opportunity that you brought him there in the form of your person and the
service that you have performed in the past year, inspired by his memory.” </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVO1gQ0_J2Kwa4LzJaGX4borycOZTDvFe92xnwsUpWLFhOyrZ1dPUJuYcpk4VOKTNlEXkETM-Yr7E_ODv8s4t16O6HkaO1ZJ0sRRBHv2KqAPdtkw8VVnWvSIE4Jd1WdNQ8k2_RlFcfiQxv/s1600/DSC06549.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVO1gQ0_J2Kwa4LzJaGX4borycOZTDvFe92xnwsUpWLFhOyrZ1dPUJuYcpk4VOKTNlEXkETM-Yr7E_ODv8s4t16O6HkaO1ZJ0sRRBHv2KqAPdtkw8VVnWvSIE4Jd1WdNQ8k2_RlFcfiQxv/s320/DSC06549.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">final sunset from inside the Village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My parents were recently out with some friends when one of
them asked point-blank, “was it really worthwhile for her (me) to go to
Rwanda?” I suppose it’s a valid (yet
snarky) question. Was it
worthwhile? How exactly can you
“measure” an intangible experience like what I have had over the past
year? The truth is you can’t. This experience and the value of it is
something that can only be felt. I can
liken it to a heartbeat. Cue the clip
from Dirty Dancing where Johnny takes Baby’s hand and places it on his chest to
feel the beat of his heart and the rhythm of the dance. It took me a while, but I now feel the beat
and the rhythm. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I came here to restore
the rhythm of life and indeed I believe I was successful. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincrQU0Lj1v0m42AXz1hMV-l6P9Rd0Iz7P1Gf2DnGeNHkFUOUOisruPVFSDuFQR7tVOjOMO04-_RhjR1FBDjB1S23G07O7SvdgA3PemnglFS1iG6NzSUeD7jc28dEAoZDKvgtrXWnJtGc-/s1600/DSC06127.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincrQU0Lj1v0m42AXz1hMV-l6P9Rd0Iz7P1Gf2DnGeNHkFUOUOisruPVFSDuFQR7tVOjOMO04-_RhjR1FBDjB1S23G07O7SvdgA3PemnglFS1iG6NzSUeD7jc28dEAoZDKvgtrXWnJtGc-/s400/DSC06127.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my Rwandan family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-69198987911765963442012-11-04T13:10:00.000+02:002012-11-04T13:10:50.404+02:007 Days and Counting...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnq-1spJr3Gx8orQL028hBusNcVaNuYwqegk9HZN2j9VaSDalQgALXV8UTdSfnT_1q7KxUCwQcQzWc9vplk4qBWj6xXCWXibWDKfMXfR1G00kBP5f9YJAX58Lf8bFQ_n716-CVWUF1ejG/s1600/IMG_3274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnq-1spJr3Gx8orQL028hBusNcVaNuYwqegk9HZN2j9VaSDalQgALXV8UTdSfnT_1q7KxUCwQcQzWc9vplk4qBWj6xXCWXibWDKfMXfR1G00kBP5f9YJAX58Lf8bFQ_n716-CVWUF1ejG/s320/IMG_3274.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cheers! I have 7 days left in Rwanda. I suppose I am an analytical thinker at times, so I thought it'd be fun to tabulate my experience and show you what I have been up to over the past year. This is what I call "By The Numbers"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Work-wise, I've been busy. </span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Number of overnight guests: 161</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Number of day visitors: 198</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Number of service-learning groups: 5 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Number of work emails: 1,192 </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When I moved here, I brought a tremendous amount of toiletries with me, not knowing what I would be able to purchase in Kigali. I went through most of it. </span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Tubes of toothpaste: 4</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Containers of contact solution: 2</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Deodorant containers: 5</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bars of soap: 8</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Number of toothbrushes: 3</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bottles of hand sanitizer: 7</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Number of sanitizer wipes: 50 (I call them portable showers) </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is the first time in my life where I have been afforded the opportunity to read for pleasure. It was such a blessing. Everywhere I went, I had a book in-hand (or my kindle, thanks to my LUAA family). I'm addicted and I have no problem being labeled a "book worm." The titles in <b>BOLD </b>were some of my favorites. </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Number of books read: 27</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in .5in .75in 1.0in 1.25in 1.5in 1.75in 2.0in 2.25in 2.5in 2.75in 3.0in 3.25in 3.5in 3.75in 4.0in 4.25in 4.5in 4.75in 5.0in 5.25in 5.5in 5.75in 6.0in 6.25in 6.5in 6.75in 7.0in 7.25in 7.5in 7.75in 8.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hunger Games 1-3</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in .5in .75in 1.0in 1.25in 1.5in 1.75in 2.0in 2.25in 2.5in 2.75in 3.0in 3.25in 3.5in 3.75in 4.0in 4.25in 4.5in 4.75in 5.0in 5.25in 5.5in 5.75in 6.0in 6.25in 6.5in 6.75in 7.0in 7.25in 7.5in 7.75in 8.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Girl w/ Dragon Tattoo 1,2</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in .5in .75in 1.0in 1.25in 1.5in 1.75in 2.0in 2.25in 2.5in 2.75in 3.0in 3.25in 3.5in 3.75in 4.0in 4.25in 4.5in 4.75in 5.0in 5.25in 5.5in 5.75in 6.0in 6.25in 6.5in 6.75in 7.0in 7.25in 7.5in 7.75in 8.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mountains Beyond Mountains</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in .5in .75in 1.0in 1.25in 1.5in 1.75in 2.0in 2.25in 2.5in 2.75in 3.0in 3.25in 3.5in 3.75in 4.0in 4.25in 4.5in 4.75in 5.0in 5.25in 5.5in 5.75in 6.0in 6.25in 6.5in 6.75in 7.0in 7.25in 7.5in 7.75in 8.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Help</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in .5in .75in 1.0in 1.25in 1.5in 1.75in 2.0in 2.25in 2.5in 2.75in 3.0in 3.25in 3.5in 3.75in 4.0in 4.25in 4.5in 4.75in 5.0in 5.25in 5.5in 5.75in 6.0in 6.25in 6.5in 6.75in 7.0in 7.25in 7.5in 7.75in 8.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Poisonwood Bible</b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in .5in .75in 1.0in 1.25in 1.5in 1.75in 2.0in 2.25in 2.5in 2.75in 3.0in 3.25in 3.5in 3.75in 4.0in 4.25in 4.5in 4.75in 5.0in 5.25in 5.5in 5.75in 6.0in 6.25in 6.5in 6.75in 7.0in 7.25in 7.5in 7.75in 8.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Happiness Project</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in .5in .75in 1.0in 1.25in 1.5in 1.75in 2.0in 2.25in 2.5in 2.75in 3.0in 3.25in 3.5in 3.75in 4.0in 4.25in 4.5in 4.75in 5.0in 5.25in 5.5in 5.75in 6.0in 6.25in 6.5in 6.75in 7.0in 7.25in 7.5in 7.75in 8.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Pilot's Wife</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in .5in .75in 1.0in 1.25in 1.5in 1.75in 2.0in 2.25in 2.5in 2.75in 3.0in 3.25in 3.5in 3.75in 4.0in 4.25in 4.5in 4.75in 5.0in 5.25in 5.5in 5.75in 6.0in 6.25in 6.5in 6.75in 7.0in 7.25in 7.5in 7.75in 8.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Water For Elephants</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in .5in .75in 1.0in 1.25in 1.5in 1.75in 2.0in 2.25in 2.5in 2.75in 3.0in 3.25in 3.5in 3.75in 4.0in 4.25in 4.5in 4.75in 5.0in 5.25in 5.5in 5.75in 6.0in 6.25in 6.5in 6.75in 7.0in 7.25in 7.5in 7.75in 8.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Art of Racing In The Rain</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in .5in .75in 1.0in 1.25in 1.5in 1.75in 2.0in 2.25in 2.5in 2.75in 3.0in 3.25in 3.5in 3.75in 4.0in 4.25in 4.5in 4.75in 5.0in 5.25in 5.5in 5.75in 6.0in 6.25in 6.5in 6.75in 7.0in 7.25in 7.5in 7.75in 8.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Discover Scotland</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You Think You Know Me Pretty Well</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A Rush to Violence</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Blood Orchids</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Every Bush is Burning</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Advocate</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Three Thousand Miles For A Wish</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Torch Ginger</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">September Fair</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Snowman</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Untraceable</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Into Thin Air</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The 24<sup>th</sup> Letter</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">White Oleander</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Memory Keeper’s Daughter</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have had a lot of difficulty sleeping over the past year, so it has been nice to be able to watch a little TV or a movie on my computer. Luckily many of the visiting groups to the Village traded TV shows and movies with me, providing me with hours upon hours of entertainment. </span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Number of movies watched: 39</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Number of TV episodes viewed: 367</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">TV shows I now love: <i>The Good Wife, True Blood, The West Wing</i></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">Other Pertinent Numbers: </span></span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jars of peanut butter eaten: I’ll
just say that I averaged 3-4 jars per month (~40 jars total) :)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Number of holes in my
clothing: numerous</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Items of clothing that are permanently
stained the color of Rwandan earth: numerous</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Number of flip-flops
purchased: 2 (I couldn't help myself!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Number of days when water,
electricity and internet all functioned: less than 20 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Haircuts: 0 </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Pieces of Mail Received: 14
(THANK YOU!) <i>and thanks to NPS for sending me a postcard even though I never received it :)</i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It is impossible to measure or sum up this experience in numbers, but this gives you a sense of some of the behind-the-scenes, mundane bits that have been a part of my life while living in Rwanda. The more sentimental bits are coming in a future post, so stay tuned!</span><div>
</div>
</div>
barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-46211654425035856342012-10-29T14:15:00.000+02:002012-10-29T15:59:20.964+02:00have a little faith<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday I put on my custom-made Rwandan dress and I went to church – yes, I
said church. Faith is a huge component
of restoring the rhythm of life here in the Village and until yesterday, I was not
ready to face it up close and personal, in a formal setting. My faith has certainly been tested in the
past, and although it was shaken to its foundation in July 2011, I never fully
abandoned it, even during the darkest hours of my grief. I am not a religious person, but I am
spiritual and there have been only a handful of days during my life when I have
gone to sleep without praying and having some kind of faith. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I
left my life back in the States to move to Rwanda for the year, a dear friend
(and Rabbi) whom I leaned on quite a bit during my “questioning God” phase of
grief put forward a statement as I readied to say goodbye to him. He said that maybe my time away in Rwanda
would somehow bring me closer to my faith, thus providing me with more answers
than questions, and more comfort than pain.
I remember raising my eyebrows at his notion and sort of shrugging it
off while skeptically saying, “maybe?” Nearly
one year later, I am starting to see his point and beginning to think that he
was on to something when he spoke those words to me. He is a Rabbi after all, and I suppose I never
should have doubted him in the first place :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Something
Rwanda and this Village (and the church service yesterday morning) advocates is
forgiveness. It is spoken of at length,
and there have been many times during this year that I have had to remove
myself from discussions about forgiveness because I can’t help but think about
my own struggle when it comes to how I think about and judge the girl who
killed my brother. I listen to accounts
from students in the Village who have chosen to forgive their parents’ and
siblings’ murderers, the people who decimated entire generations of their families
and caused them to be deemed orphans, people who caused them unimaginable
terror and trauma. I shake my head in
disbelief and amazement at their ability to forgive. Maybe it is something they need to do in
order to focus on their future and not dwell on their past. Maybe they are more resilient than I am. Maybe they are more kind-hearted than I
am. Maybe they have just had more time
to come to terms with the hurt. Being
surrounded by a forgiving culture has impacted me and made me reflect quite a
bit about forgiveness, however I am not ready to forgive, and quite honestly I
don’t think I will ever be in a place where I will feel the need or ability to
exonerate the girl who took my brother’s life. I have never been one to easily, or ever
forgive those who have wronged me, caused me pain, or shaken me to the core, and I am ok with that. I don’t
dwell on many personal attacks that have been inflicted upon me and therefore I
see no reason to forgive those people. I
simply write them out of my life and move forward. The girl who killed my brother is
different. She indirectly hurt me by
hurting my brother. She injured me in
such a way that I will forever be a different person. I will evermore be broken in some small way,
and incomplete without my brother in my life.
She caused irreparable and irreversible damage to this world, and there
is no part of me that has any inkling of forgiveness for her. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Although
the church service yesterday morning didn’t change my stance on forgiveness, it did
fill me with a heightened sense of hope, love, and joy. The service lasted 3 hours, with the first 2
hours being filled mostly with songs of worship and praise. Nearly 100 of us were seated on the balcony
of the dining hall, overlooking the Village and the surrounding hills and
valleys as a gentle breeze blew through the open-air space. Each time the students sang, goose bumps appeared
on my arms and I was filled with a strong sense of something thrilling and
delightful. The songs were sung with so
much passion and heart. The entire
congregation was standing as people stomped their feet, clapped their hands,
raised their arms in praise and swayed to the wonderful African rhythms. It was absolutely glorious! I couldn’t stop myself from smiling and
clapping along as I watched the students come alive and release themselves
through the power of song. These same
students are the ones I see sitting at lunch after 6 hours of school, looking
so preoccupied and absorbed by stress and strife and the weight of the
world. In church these kids were liberated
and uninhibited and danced, danced, danced to thank God for all that He
(<i>Rwandans strongly believe that God is a man</i>) has given them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
final hour was devoted to sermons, words of thanks by individual students, and
a rousing song during the “offerings” period where students came forward with
small monetary donations and placed the coins in the offering basket. The contribution that each student brought
forward should make you pause – remember that these students are THE most
vulnerable youth in Rwanda, a country with a staggering percentage of people
living in poverty, and here they were giving an offering to the church. It was moving, to say the least. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of
the Village Directors always advocates for students to believe in a higher
power. He doesn’t insist on them
believing in God or going to church, or having a religion, but he encourages
them to have faith. He reminds them that
they are each in the Village for a very specific reason and it is not by chance
that they were selected. They are THE
chosen students, 500 in total, out of a country of millions of orphans. Each day I look around at these <i>chosen</i> students and can’t help but think
that I too was chosen to spend a year of my life at Agahozo. Looking back over my time here in the Village, I can confidently say
that I would not have progressed the way I have through my grief without
Agahozo-Shalom, the work that I have committed myself to doing, and the people
who surround me each day. I am leaving
this experience in two weeks more confident in my skin, more sure of who I am,
more passionate about life, more compassionate and understanding with people, and
more patient, loving, and trusting. In a
way, I have found a new inspiration for living.
I think I have the kids of Agahozo to thank for that transformation,
along with the friends I have made here, but I also think I have to have a
little faith that somebody up above had something to do with it as well. </span></span></div>
</div>
barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-1667874137552061662012-10-14T13:34:00.001+02:002012-10-14T13:34:51.803+02:00I’ll start with some culture, then have some gender, and finish with a piece of literacy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLk1qUMqa3E8UpxrGdccXP5LAgleC7bzvN-We3xxCgSps4U3ze9GRIXSlaTfGAmly9XTsFBJhowpD3BsLlPRZBm8ltuUWNzjutnBH-tfZHpSVsxeOVtUApkzG3fcs92rkZJuCo_iO_Ru55/s1600/DSC03901.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLk1qUMqa3E8UpxrGdccXP5LAgleC7bzvN-We3xxCgSps4U3ze9GRIXSlaTfGAmly9XTsFBJhowpD3BsLlPRZBm8ltuUWNzjutnBH-tfZHpSVsxeOVtUApkzG3fcs92rkZJuCo_iO_Ru55/s320/DSC03901.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We recently celebrated three very important weeks in the Village.<span> </span><b>Culture Week</b> embraced the unique cultural
norms of Rwanda, <b>Gender Week</b> brought to light the importance of equity, and <b>Literacy Week</b> highlighted the importance of reading and
writing.<span> </span>Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village
incorporates education far beyond the walls of the LiquidNet Secondary School
that sits at the highest point on the property.<span>
</span>Informal education is woven into every sector, every activity, and every
conversation.<span> </span>This is a living and
learning community, and as we help the students here heal, we teach them how to
embrace who they are in order to be influential and positive members of Rwandan
society.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin78M-RJtn9f_NYqFVZrKgVMEFtDHKuOgpbYtDUCI-B31VPDQgidLmKw65cu8mLtJBrzNSPt_1t3dYzqR6Tw_dRaU7tzqQhDlfcSTYQZ_Bkjdr8wF2WaGmQZItfc2VE69PkzgZtHy4O5TL/s1600/DSC05096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQISw_YS22BQed9A3hOqGp__38oqzIGYzJGH_OSKX3mUVmDPDQ6TfZoKygpVf-2HIYICF1YXB3RXTBb3AegKSCnq506NdVycneAL_ukI724CJhjqRSZko5-oUR83NQRFPIWcrWYTpa8BBe/s1600/DSC05003.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQISw_YS22BQed9A3hOqGp__38oqzIGYzJGH_OSKX3mUVmDPDQ6TfZoKygpVf-2HIYICF1YXB3RXTBb3AegKSCnq506NdVycneAL_ukI724CJhjqRSZko5-oUR83NQRFPIWcrWYTpa8BBe/s320/DSC05003.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">traditional clothing worn by students during a sketch</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Each night
during Culture Week we discussed various topics that covered traditional and
historical Rwandan cultural values, cultural norms that need and should be
embraced and continued by today’s youth, and the do’s and don’ts in Rwanda
when taking culture into account. <span> </span>The
week concluded with a Cultural Celebration where the Village elders wore
traditional Rwandan clothing, traditional Rwandan music was performed,
traditional </span><span style="font-size: small;">Rwandan food was prepared and served, and traditional dances were presented
on stage.<span> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I often find myself stupefied when
students ask me to talk about American culture because I don’t know that such a
thing actually exists in a singular form like it does here in Rwanda.<span> </span>America is filled with so many cultures and ethnicities
that each family seems to have its own traditions, customs, and rituals that
have been handed down over decades and perhaps even centuries.<span> </span>There is not a “one America” as there is a “one
Rwanda” meaning that we don’t all blend together as one unit.<span> </span>As I tried to explain this to the students, I
found myself thinking that most customs and traditions seem to be drawn from
religion in America, versus our cultural heritage.<span> </span>Rosh Hashana fell during Cultural Week, so I
shared a bit of wisdom about the Jewish Holiday and interwove it into a
cultural celebration of sorts not for Americans, but for Jewish people all over
the world.<span> </span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2V5wizFe5QXPBFD6M86v2Q0bZQ84wfNxWvB0u5Adk5Ck2Q1TSByILFOMGAIfqpOW5eP038CYB2m-m8KQcNQtUzd3E6_iafOO4bBn91nUe18GEbL0U_WTLNrde74JKPc9PopgZ8hINJgG/s1600/DSC04983.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2V5wizFe5QXPBFD6M86v2Q0bZQ84wfNxWvB0u5Adk5Ck2Q1TSByILFOMGAIfqpOW5eP038CYB2m-m8KQcNQtUzd3E6_iafOO4bBn91nUe18GEbL0U_WTLNrde74JKPc9PopgZ8hINJgG/s320/DSC04983.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">traditional Rwandan attire during a performance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Gender Week was
about encouraging each and everyone in the Village to embrace who they are,
love their whole selves, and hold on to the idea that gender will not stand in
the way of their achievement.<span> </span>The
Village is comprised of 60% female, 40% male students, as that is equal to the
ratio of female/male orphans in Rwanda.<span>
</span>Even though the females outnumber the males, there is still a male
dominated overtone when it comes to achievement in school, and showcasing talent
in music, dance and poetry.<span> </span>The boys are
far more outspoken and comfortable with their own voice, they do not shy away
from trying new things, and they seemingly push themselves harder and achieve
higher marks in school.<span> </span>Do not get me
wrong, there are some all-star females in our Village, but they are often
overshadowed because they stand few and far between the boys.<span> </span>Gender Week was about empowerment and bravery
and being able to stand toe-to-toe against anyone, no matter their gender and
have your voice be heard and your strengths shone.<span> </span>It was about pushing past stereotypes and
identifying what fits, not what is supposed to fit, or what has traditionally
fit when it comes to gender roles.<span> </span>It
was about finding an inner strength and believing in yourself and your
abilities, identifying your strengths, recognizing your weaknesses, and
exploring your potential.<span> </span>It was not
about one gender being dominant over another, nor was it about equality, as men
and women are not equal genders when it comes to every ability and task. <span> </span>BUT, each gender has a purpose and each gender
can and should achieve great things.<span> </span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcRyiBZvWqrNQGT_vcMrm5hzSU7snynl9dG1PmdeK8cT3UhWnA9miezgPAhw8U_6Aan0fVLhDl80l-gy0YhEB8V9l8NJF4PKWyTAbYzTzyLhqL2sdY1wdOiiWWr9MplxQ7L8bOywUuBGH/s1600/DSC04804.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcRyiBZvWqrNQGT_vcMrm5hzSU7snynl9dG1PmdeK8cT3UhWnA9miezgPAhw8U_6Aan0fVLhDl80l-gy0YhEB8V9l8NJF4PKWyTAbYzTzyLhqL2sdY1wdOiiWWr9MplxQ7L8bOywUuBGH/s320/DSC04804.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a traditional painting by a first-year student</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Literacy Week
was all about reading.<span> </span>I have been a
reading fanatic since arriving in Rwanda, and for the first time in my life, I
have really loved to read.<span> </span>It offers a
beautiful escape and adventure, while soothing my mind and soul.<span> </span>On 5<sup>th</sup> October, 2012, the first
ever Rwandan Public Library opened in Kigali.<span>
</span>In America, I believe that we take our libraries for granted and do not
stop to think how many people in the world do not have access to books, let
alone thousands that are housed in many of our own communities in the States.<span> </span>One of my favorite conversations of the week
happened during family time when my family discussed the importance of literacy
for a developing country and its people, and we created a list of ways to
increase the literacy among the Rwandan population.<span> </span>At Agahozo, we have a small, yet adequate library
housed inside a room in one of our club houses.<span> </span>In
my mind, we could greatly use more book donations, but even with the small
amount we have, the girls in my family came up with the idea of sharing our
books with the local Rubona community members.<span>
</span>They described a Rwandan-style book mobile concept, where we could take
a wooden cart with wheels, load it with books, and go into the community to
share our resources.<span> </span>They talked about
the danger of ignorance and how, “the more you read, the more you know.”<span> </span>I loved that quote and even wrote it down in
my personal journal.<span> </span>The students at
Agahozo understand the importance of reading and writing and have this
insatiable thirst for knowledge and information.<span> </span>I love looking around a room and seeing kids
with books, reading to one another, asking questions, searching for answers - enjoying
the gift that is literacy.<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Literacy Week came to a spectacular close with a Village-wide spelling bee where the top male and female speller from each grade battled it out for the title of top speller. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Although English is a foreign language to the
students at Agahozo, and many of them have far more knowledge of two or
three other languages, the vocabulary they were asked to spell was not
elementary. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span>While sitting in the audience, spelling each word along with the contestants, I paused and thought to myself, "never did I think I would be in the audience of a spelling bee, cheering on the participants!" I was really embracing and enjoying the moment. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Each week has been so unique and special, and I can't help but respect how the Village stresses such important topics and lessons and infuses educational tidbits into the everyday lives of everyone who resides here. Rwanda may be deemed a "developing country," but in some respects, it is far more developed than those at the top. </span></span></div>
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barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-29679413323481235662012-10-04T23:42:00.002+02:002012-10-04T23:42:23.414+02:00the faces I adore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFC3qaxesbjF9SPLoNkcsgudhZ57cgQ8ZsJ_tD-2QF8sHBIxkkEU0He97HQMY6cBgItkTNrybxkFgf-kMA98cFPf4FeCwYCxRI4OGw15rLemI_JOW-Phvoa87qbUSYTsV7JoCvyThOzUXi/s1600/DSC06120+%282%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFC3qaxesbjF9SPLoNkcsgudhZ57cgQ8ZsJ_tD-2QF8sHBIxkkEU0He97HQMY6cBgItkTNrybxkFgf-kMA98cFPf4FeCwYCxRI4OGw15rLemI_JOW-Phvoa87qbUSYTsV7JoCvyThOzUXi/s320/DSC06120+%282%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span></span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This is it –
the final push, the last leg of this journey.<span>
</span>At times it feels like I have been in Rwanda forever, but not in a bad
way.<span> </span>It feels normal to be here.<span> </span>It feels like home, although it certainly
lacks all the creature comforts of my actual home in the States (if I were to
actually have a home and not have my life stockpiled in a 10x15 storage unit).<span> </span>There are other times though when I look at
all I have left to do while I am here and it doesn’t quite seem possible that I
only have a few weeks left in this country I have grown to respect and appreciate.<span> </span>Most of all, I cannot believe that my time is
so limited with the kids of Agahozo.<span> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I spent so much of the first term observing, learning, and
asking questions.<span> </span>We were all somewhat
thrown into this experience with a loose idea of our roles and
responsibilities, and over time we have had the opportunity to more fully
define our purpose here and autonomously choose how to interact with the
students.<span> </span>The second term was a
whirlwind filled with 97 overnight guests and 67 day visitors. I was thoroughly
exhausted when the term came to a close and was so thankful that I had 6 weeks
to recover.<span> </span><span></span>I often heard the students saying, "cousin, where have you been? Why do I not see you?" The truth of the matter was that very little of my time was spent with the students of Agahozo because I was tending to the needs of the various student groups from America who were volunteering their time in the Village. Although I have far fewer visitors and guests
for whom I am responsible for this term, my days seem to be busier than
ever.<span> </span>Writing reports and “instructions”
for the next group of fellows takes up many of the morning hours and then I seem to be
spending countless hours each afternoon with students helping them revise research papers
(teaching them that cutting and pasting from Wikipedia does not a research
paper make), tutoring English, painting fingernails, taking photos … I want to
do it all and leave no stone unturned when it comes to them.<span> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Just yesterday I sat with one of my girls for
90 minutes as she read a story about horses to me.<span> </span>It was precious time that I could not have
imagined spending any other way.<span> (Note: when she arrived in the Village 10 months ago, she didn't know any English at all and here she is reading a book to me!) </span>On
Monday, I taught one of my girls the song “Mama Mia” which was utterly
enchanting! Each day brings new surprises and delights and I have come to
cherish each and every one of them.<span> The students' </span>giggles bring me joy, their never-ending questions fill me with pride, and the ways in which they show me they care make me melt. The
students at Agahozo have become my purpose in life for this term, and I have
discovered how much I truly love and care about them.<span> </span>While being away from the Village for 6 weeks
over vacation, I realized that it is the the students in Agahozo who make each
of my days complete.<span> </span>They are the ones
who make me laugh like a little kid again, they have helped me rediscover my
silly side, and they have broken into my stoic heart and made themselves at
home.<span> </span>I adore them and I already dread
the forthcoming farewell when they leave for term break and I leave to return
to America.<span> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span>There is a facebook photo album for Agahozo-Shalom
Youth Village titled "Faces of Agahozo." These are a few of the faces I adore. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
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barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-26192458832181248782012-09-29T15:34:00.001+02:002012-09-29T22:22:44.053+02:00Bunny Chow?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;">On the
eve of the first day of my vacation, I learned that my holiday break had been
extended nearly 2 weeks, so on a whim I booked a flight to Cape Town using
airline miles, found an extremely cheap hotel in an amazing central location,
and began planning a fourth leg to my trip.
My sister-in-laws headed home after our gorilla trekking adventure in
Uganda, and I headed almost due South to a place I had always dreamed of
visiting - Cape Town. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As my
driver navigated the route from the airport into the city-center where my hotel
was located, the city unfolded in front of me and reminded me a bit of San
Francisco. The hills weren’t nearly as
steep and the spaces weren’t nearly as crowded, but it gave off the same initial
impression. Prior to arriving, I had
planned a rough outline of sights I wanted to see and activities I wanted to do
for each of my 10 days in Cape Town. I
had arrived and yet another adventure had begun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">One
thing that caught me a bit off-guard was how cold it was in Cape Town. I knew that winter was coming to a close in
the Southern Hemisphere, but I have been spoiled in Rwanda where our low “winter”
temperature each night hovers around 62F.
I layered myself up like I was going to play in the snow with at least 4
layers each day before heading out to explore.
<i>Side note: I don’t even want to think about what it will be like arriving back in
the States in the beginning of winter! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I have
heard many things about Cape Town, but knew very little prior to researching it
and planning my days. Like most cities
around the world, there is a lot to see and do, and over the course of 10 days,
I nearly saw and did it all. I won’t
bore you with too many details, but instead I will highlight my favorite pieces
and note some interesting observations that I made.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u>Highlights:</u></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjIJJx70TKuO0SUwxZSptHlniNOcS2Vx0ZOmY561QXYEYD5PbFb4TtjR5U13PTd5w9-gQpYS_Bbm_q2lmwpuhQQYSEALECVnvl-Phj7B-C-qaxI5Pn96dBNe2_Vwtht8Q2zJtAnuG8MIu/s1600/DSC05716.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjIJJx70TKuO0SUwxZSptHlniNOcS2Vx0ZOmY561QXYEYD5PbFb4TtjR5U13PTd5w9-gQpYS_Bbm_q2lmwpuhQQYSEALECVnvl-Phj7B-C-qaxI5Pn96dBNe2_Vwtht8Q2zJtAnuG8MIu/s320/DSC05716.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Point of Good Hope and Cape Point</b> – Located roughly 50km South of
Cape Town is the Cape of Good Hope.
There is a false impression that this piece of land is the most southern
tip of Africa because it was once believed to be the dividing point between the
Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Although the
Cape of Good Hope is not the most southern tip of the continent, it marks the
point where ships begin to travel more eastward than southward when at sea. Located about 2.3km East and a
little North of the Cape of Good Hope lies the peninsula of Cape Point. There is a major </span><span style="font-size: small;">peak that dominates the
skyline locally but there is also a smaller peak about 100m further south. Atop each of the peaks stand lighthouses. The higher, old lighthouse was replaced by
the newer, lower lighthouse for two reasons - the old lighthouse could be seen
'too early' by ships rounding the point towards the east, causing them to
approach too closely, and more importantly foggy conditions often persist at the
higher level, making the older lighthouse invisible to shipping, and thus
ineffective.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7sjMrac4p6LXAOmKrTtmIO7Tu_KbgBRwGt2IBHV7s2giMy-5yppwWLlfwloHdZbVTQaZP6BlZMebyuVIjD4AUE_FMcJ1t5drrcu6NhVLkxpstHdb8ZVrC-Xtpde-vPpjEmdS9aoU6Mk8/s1600/595173764778690.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7sjMrac4p6LXAOmKrTtmIO7Tu_KbgBRwGt2IBHV7s2giMy-5yppwWLlfwloHdZbVTQaZP6BlZMebyuVIjD4AUE_FMcJ1t5drrcu6NhVLkxpstHdb8ZVrC-Xtpde-vPpjEmdS9aoU6Mk8/s320/595173764778690.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Greenmarket Square </b>– Just a block and a half from my
hotel was one of the city’s oldest open-air markets, set on a cobbled square. Individual vendors, numbering near 100 in
total sell clothing, jewelry, local art and every imaginable nick-knack from
nearly every country in Africa. A wonderful and </span><span style="font-size: small;">somewhat chaotic, frantic buzz
filled the air each and every day. Each seller was seemingly offering
every touristy-looking person a “very special price.” I loved the energy of the
place and often found myself walking through the stalls on many afternoons, not looking for
anything in particular, but just enjoying the sights and sounds. </span></li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qUeGDttQVapmnpx5n-JCIn1odfl2ktVLA-rvlgMmvYeDqyxFHQczrfrIaTz_P_hyphenhyphen63VfPT8zceh0nBrco2A6lGVnOL9itjf7ius4HvhND_cCamwEZbfgTDCccDGE4OEmsL6eCLJNFgMv/s1600/DSC05798.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qUeGDttQVapmnpx5n-JCIn1odfl2ktVLA-rvlgMmvYeDqyxFHQczrfrIaTz_P_hyphenhyphen63VfPT8zceh0nBrco2A6lGVnOL9itjf7ius4HvhND_cCamwEZbfgTDCccDGE4OEmsL6eCLJNFgMv/s320/DSC05798.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a view inside the busy Biscuit Mill Saturday market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Old Biscuit Mill Market</b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> – There is a
market every Saturday at this converted Biscuit Mill, which now houses unique
artisan stores and restaurants. On
Saturdays, tents are erected to expand the space offered by a limited permanent structure and local food craftsmen set up stands along the
walls and down a central aisle to serve the local clientele. There is communal seating via picnic tables
down the center and on bales of hay and benches surrounding squares of artificial
grass. The selection of food was immense
and varied – </span><span style="font-size: small;">Taiwanese, French, Italian, Mediterranean, </span><span style="font-size: small;">cheese, dried meat, crepes, </span><span style="font-size: small;">pizza, bagels with lox,
pastas, spreads and pesto, smoothies, coffee, chocolates, ice cream... – I must
have circled the market four or five times before deciding on what I would
eat. There were also fresh fruits,
veggies, and flowers for sale, in addition to an area that housed a “trunk sale”
of sorts with clothing, leather goods, and shoes.
</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP4CXbgW6Ja8Du99mpViN5MnZDxNezxok060PlaNxTKvYQV-DdY0lmyZTDPu6SVzcXiMb-5XVKJJSc3lp8jLHJVnVpU_W9lYCsggXUgVlcAJiPhH7zwjXybcCvjw9iCS2aYU16CfbwdMa/s1600/DSC05834.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP4CXbgW6Ja8Du99mpViN5MnZDxNezxok060PlaNxTKvYQV-DdY0lmyZTDPu6SVzcXiMb-5XVKJJSc3lp8jLHJVnVpU_W9lYCsggXUgVlcAJiPhH7zwjXybcCvjw9iCS2aYU16CfbwdMa/s200/DSC05834.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading up Table Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Table Mountain</b> – It seems that no matter where
you are in Cape Town, you can always see the magnificent Table Mountain. I spent a morning on the Mountain and </span><span style="font-size: small;">was “lucky”
enough to have chosen a day when there was what is locally referred to as a “table
cloth” over the top of the mountain. It
was encased in a thick cloud covering that was so dense that I could not see
more than 6 feet in front of me when I arrived at the summit! After getting over my feeling of claustrophobia,
I began to embrace the cloud cover and found the setting to be both serene and
a bit enchanting. I was lucky enough to
be the only person interested in a guided tour, so I got a personal tour of the
top of the mountain with an eccentric, somewhat creepy, yet highly informative
guide. I couldn’t help but think about
my brother as the guide made one geologic reference after another and came
across to me as a geologist want-to-be.
I </span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;">
<tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGObZDS8TTafTUvL6ffi54oh_-w6xSNUscgEVDPxCOE57Hrum5wkQ-C5MYcrcmElOS2UBH_pWu5RAQB46EtUNKjLlfVxTIK_IkPIEPW0EDhX62Lgi1_k4KGymzzs6EVXz7H7zoUsq_y5P0/s1600/DSC05860.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGObZDS8TTafTUvL6ffi54oh_-w6xSNUscgEVDPxCOE57Hrum5wkQ-C5MYcrcmElOS2UBH_pWu5RAQB46EtUNKjLlfVxTIK_IkPIEPW0EDhX62Lgi1_k4KGymzzs6EVXz7H7zoUsq_y5P0/s200/DSC05860.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">above the clouds on Table Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span style="font-size: small;">spent two hours on the guided tour, covering a few kilometers of
trail. Over time, the table cloth cloud
covering changed shape and density.
There were moments when it seemed as if I was floating above the clouds,
existing in a dreamlike and fantastic world, but then within minutes I was snapped back into </span><span style="font-size: small;">reality as the weather changed at the
drop of a hat and in one instant it was blazingly hot with the sun beating
down, and in the next instant, a blustery wind blew through and I was wishing I
had a parka. It was </span><span style="font-size: small;">phenomenal and
bizarre. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTdgqIgjFZhyphenhyphenE3Fw31aFgyWV7dx9XnVKOvt9RmcWPAc5Kb4-1So200eC5JCub3gHs2DUM0pRsShx6kDKENZS_LCEVjE-_GhtpdqzO78kPlbh0CjdAOhTOmRV-fcCKzTxOZqcpImZF2QX2/s1600/DSC06001.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZL1p0R_yaZvWe538xqTe-nMOM94oR19M9EKdf8jdZBMKG2Qa8Aqetm1vnbaNwG0-7ODAHdFER_vUfJr_QJ5RnBCA_dmyFj-1UnQeBne5goNu04cB_3zXlXvYBBe5qlo0ablfu-Fxca5B/s1600/DSC05880.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZL1p0R_yaZvWe538xqTe-nMOM94oR19M9EKdf8jdZBMKG2Qa8Aqetm1vnbaNwG0-7ODAHdFER_vUfJr_QJ5RnBCA_dmyFj-1UnQeBne5goNu04cB_3zXlXvYBBe5qlo0ablfu-Fxca5B/s400/DSC05880.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a view from atop Table Mountain after the table cloth cleared</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Township</b> – I had the opportunity to tour
a local township called Imizamo Yethu, located in the greater Hout Bay Valley
area. The 18-hectare settlement houses </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoD4Qwyldm1eC0Sa5oIi1Hbnt32tYpmcYKp_-K0832nmJsoxctGi-eUZMhQS7RKcLCjmy6X_gc6JKTFbM5Fx_SQuizfZJ27W6eQq057GaYbdt8SLakBcWDzc1D5boaCjsomzaI7BWtalP/s1600/DSC05979.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoD4Qwyldm1eC0Sa5oIi1Hbnt32tYpmcYKp_-K0832nmJsoxctGi-eUZMhQS7RKcLCjmy6X_gc6JKTFbM5Fx_SQuizfZJ27W6eQq057GaYbdt8SLakBcWDzc1D5boaCjsomzaI7BWtalP/s320/DSC05979.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">approximately 34,000 people with little
or no infrastructure for sustainable living. The settlement has dismal water
facilities with no indoor plumbing or sewage system and very few communal toilets,
each shared by 5-10 households of 4-8 people.
There is a local river that runs through the settlement and reportedly has
the highest level of e-coli bacteria that has ever been recorded in South
Africa. To me the living conditions were
abominable, yet the residents came across as being resilient and cheery. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTdgqIgjFZhyphenhyphenE3Fw31aFgyWV7dx9XnVKOvt9RmcWPAc5Kb4-1So200eC5JCub3gHs2DUM0pRsShx6kDKENZS_LCEVjE-_GhtpdqzO78kPlbh0CjdAOhTOmRV-fcCKzTxOZqcpImZF2QX2/s1600/DSC06001.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTdgqIgjFZhyphenhyphenE3Fw31aFgyWV7dx9XnVKOvt9RmcWPAc5Kb4-1So200eC5JCub3gHs2DUM0pRsShx6kDKENZS_LCEVjE-_GhtpdqzO78kPlbh0CjdAOhTOmRV-fcCKzTxOZqcpImZF2QX2/s200/DSC06001.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">I spent about 90 minutes in the Township and
couldn’t help but think about the kids in my Village in Rwanda who come from
similar settings. It seemed however <i>(and
I was later told that my thoughts were correct)</i> that the most underprivileged
and poverty-stricken people in Rwanda are better off than the poor people in
South Africa. The </span><span style="font-size: small;">township embodied a
level of poverty that was beyond belief.
</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXIO5ghSs74OnX1poJHnaAa2c4wwwBfvnr4WmHYmJCoMXS7Dy76mSjMttr9Vx9YRjBDyGl0FyTFB1JFanchNKNmTbr8ycU5c-ySHhnX_yDTBmDMt7itzemGsmMBfwYeadUCUUrWZeeMd4/s1600/DSC05762.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXIO5ghSs74OnX1poJHnaAa2c4wwwBfvnr4WmHYmJCoMXS7Dy76mSjMttr9Vx9YRjBDyGl0FyTFB1JFanchNKNmTbr8ycU5c-ySHhnX_yDTBmDMt7itzemGsmMBfwYeadUCUUrWZeeMd4/s200/DSC05762.JPG" width="150" /></a>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Botanical Gardens</b> – Flower gardens
have always made me feel relaxed and comfortable.
Although the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens were not in
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwxBvreCUo_1YVSOwedeOwyQKANreQhb963MPf0tP99TgSUl1czKmx2ol-VoNnxiWjA-M1WWpO-0i2LFErz3A1aOU5oiye3emItCUHntmO1xRlWmEBqbUSM_Pa9hhwoe-IaJNswPQQgY1/s1600/DSC05787.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwxBvreCUo_1YVSOwedeOwyQKANreQhb963MPf0tP99TgSUl1czKmx2ol-VoNnxiWjA-M1WWpO-0i2LFErz3A1aOU5oiye3emItCUHntmO1xRlWmEBqbUSM_Pa9hhwoe-IaJNswPQQgY1/s200/DSC05787.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">full-bloom because of the time of year, the grounds were still captivating. Did you know that there is a Bird of Paradise
flower that was created to honor former President Nelson Mandela? </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5IudIPWKHp5M3WKYFWsf-ZCiHKQSBVyTh3xbrpmzopfcVEtBM4SoSX_MYyYEmf3aQJPtDpDQ9Py6jbnUAIwqxINtbLcxnjuWuSB7GC1H2BnxrR6S4L1lQbtMzprRihPjyYsmmm-3YW-i/s1600/DSC05784.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5IudIPWKHp5M3WKYFWsf-ZCiHKQSBVyTh3xbrpmzopfcVEtBM4SoSX_MYyYEmf3aQJPtDpDQ9Py6jbnUAIwqxINtbLcxnjuWuSB7GC1H2BnxrR6S4L1lQbtMzprRihPjyYsmmm-3YW-i/s200/DSC05784.JPG" width="200" /></a>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjBGG2VSprSMhpjX41fKxncGGPu6bwLwazXYn3PrDs2PkE7hMRCDs8GAoo4Xil5rrCtb9IR2GGyHPQHWyesjkkIIpv7-AYsveJB15CYPPTyFR0lGBoeGJhXrMROvtOK9cwykhdyLiBA8Q/s1600/DSC05971.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjBGG2VSprSMhpjX41fKxncGGPu6bwLwazXYn3PrDs2PkE7hMRCDs8GAoo4Xil5rrCtb9IR2GGyHPQHWyesjkkIIpv7-AYsveJB15CYPPTyFR0lGBoeGJhXrMROvtOK9cwykhdyLiBA8Q/s200/DSC05971.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3P8r9_gKb1mUgK3Ib5i7Yiq2g_7eW4afdWEjWYXCIBOyK3OUkSdPhYgFDSRoEl6bFcO8M-Zc6iHTXkN4olOsXgTogc0Fh6j0DQLfC3bSZd0PG9avCPBwKZxzj_SvjML4kRkWpAbmUOJr/s1600/DSC05944.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3P8r9_gKb1mUgK3Ib5i7Yiq2g_7eW4afdWEjWYXCIBOyK3OUkSdPhYgFDSRoEl6bFcO8M-Zc6iHTXkN4olOsXgTogc0Fh6j0DQLfC3bSZd0PG9avCPBwKZxzj_SvjML4kRkWpAbmUOJr/s200/DSC05944.JPG" width="150" /></a>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Winery</b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> – Similarly to Cape Point and
the Cape of Good Hope, you cannot visit South Africa and NOT go to a winery. If I were to sum up my visit to </span><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Groot Constantia</i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> winery in one word, I
would choose: lovely. The restaurant was
pleasant, the grounds were open for visitors to walk around at their leisure,
and the cellar tour and wine tasting was delectable! I tasted a Sauvignon Blanc, a Blanc de Noir, a Shiraz, the Gouvernerurs Reserve, and a Cape Ruby (Port). Which was my favorite? All of them. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Eastern Food Bazaar</b> – Located 20 steps away from my
hotel was the Eastern Food Bazaar, a food court-like establishment with 10 eateries over 80 menu items from which to choose.
It was a gem of a find! The best
part, aside from the scrumptious food was the fact that I never paid more than
USD$5 for a complete meal (drink and gelato included!) My favorites: Falafel and the local “street
food” known as bunny chow which is a hollowed-out ½ loaf of bread, filled with
a curry dish. WOW! My mouth is watering just writing about it :)</span></li>
</ul>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<u><span style="font-size: small;">Surprises:
</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Having
traveled quite extensively, I have found that my favorite and the most welcoming
people reside in Scotland. I have found the most spirited, cultural people in Tanzania,
and I found South Africans to be some of my least favorite people I have crossed
paths with during my travels. It is just
a personal point of view and I learned long ago that I do not have to like
everyone and I do not have to try to win over the favor of everyone in a quest
to have them like me. People are who
they are, and I found South Africans in Cape Town and the surrounding area to have
a bit of an air about them as they often present themselves as elitist,
superior to anyone and everyone. Through
many conversations I uncovered that they really don’t like anyone and seem to
have an opinion on and criticism for every person from every place. It was interesting in a sociological sort of
way. I especially found it interesting
to see Cape Town-ians’ reactions when I told them that I was living in
Rwanda. Although just a few countries
removed, everyone’s reaction made it seem as if Rwanda was an entire world
away, filled with danger, risk, and untamed, uncultivated people. They seemed somewhat perplexed and horrified
as to why I had CHOSEN to live in Rwanda instead of say, staying within the
boarders of “safe” America (although they had plenty of criticism about
America too!). I could have just let
their comments be, as I have learned the value of biting my tongue since
beginning this African journey, however I have also come to embrace Rwanda as
my home and after the first few pitiless comments, I took it upon myself to
inform and educate them about the Rwanda of today. I
did not lecture them or force my opinions on them, but rather update them on
the vast developments that have happened in-country and the makeup of the
population. After some carefully
selected commentary about Rwanda I slid in an extra statement of comparison. I’ll just say that I did not win too many fans
over when I told them outright that I feel safer at any hour of the day or
night in Rwanda than I do in the middle of the day in Cape Town. It was the truth, and if there is one thing I
pride myself on, it is being brutally honest when I am trying to make a
point. Point made.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
other surprise that Cape Town thrust upon me was the racially divided
neighborhoods that are still very much a reality more than two decades after
apartheid ended. It is a piece of Cape
Town that most tourists do not see, and most likely it is a part that they do
not want to see. I had the privilege of
touring a “black” neighborhood (<i>see township section above</i>) that was just across the street from a much
nicer “white” neighborhood and just down the block from the “colored”
neighborhood that was not as pleasant as the white one, but a vast improvement
over the black settlement. The “color” classifications
still exist and the differences between the communities are striking and
somewhat horrifying in an appalling way.
At one point I just stood in the middle of the black neighborhood,
staring at the communal 1-stall toilet as a troop of white girls belonging to
the local equestrian club rode by on their horses. I struggled trying to figure out how this
separation and segregation was still in existence in a newly industrialized
country in the year 2012. I was
dumbfounded and dismayed.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Was Cape
Town everything I had hoped it would be?
That’s hard to say because I live in a seemingly perpetual state of not
having expectations, so it is difficult to judge how something measures up
against that which I don’t formulate. It
was spectacular in so many ways, and really educational and eye-opening. I feel as though I see the world through a
new set of eyes since living in Rwanda, and having this new perspective gives
me the opportunity to open myself up to a new way of thinking, questioning, and
evaluating that which I see and experience. It was a great trip!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A few other favorite photos from South Africa: </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzph-TSqcxgN-qUzaxcOygg_qW9KnQOnfzrYE_SOEeQHHlA3ihbX361Am7bKsTdW48mBuPvBcPl_Wi2kYPy4RWeVkxyMV_hu5OUotzZpeDdVeJEun0otGEClMfZG2_yHJdpJ_TA5ETM5UO/s1600/DSC06029.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzph-TSqcxgN-qUzaxcOygg_qW9KnQOnfzrYE_SOEeQHHlA3ihbX361Am7bKsTdW48mBuPvBcPl_Wi2kYPy4RWeVkxyMV_hu5OUotzZpeDdVeJEun0otGEClMfZG2_yHJdpJ_TA5ETM5UO/s200/DSC06029.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside The Great Synagogue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVUr-WpN2DoFuF1n0CrTMyyWop9iL7pMIYnl8R6Y7StJmbtxGM9brn2zXQsgR6Wt7_mSrmetatoqzzJ9tsiFcTsim77oQvgUYxFUP1vc7uZt8z7FMo8-o7QvE0caHNnL0S2UebJzsQN-o/s1600/DSC06018.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVUr-WpN2DoFuF1n0CrTMyyWop9iL7pMIYnl8R6Y7StJmbtxGM9brn2zXQsgR6Wt7_mSrmetatoqzzJ9tsiFcTsim77oQvgUYxFUP1vc7uZt8z7FMo8-o7QvE0caHNnL0S2UebJzsQN-o/s200/DSC06018.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of the colorful houses in Bo-Kaap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOf-rv1KDysoJ6gWDuSg7gY1Sv-wR-p_cfxD5P-PmKRsuv3qjUGLj-UbSW2_ulKPUpRn1r9QNIDP50cOAOYaVjr9GWH70xoxX2RnrwxVHRuhVNRJmtAKPyUcdZXCYsbrrQFKYRfb1-0pJ4/s1600/DSC06005.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOf-rv1KDysoJ6gWDuSg7gY1Sv-wR-p_cfxD5P-PmKRsuv3qjUGLj-UbSW2_ulKPUpRn1r9QNIDP50cOAOYaVjr9GWH70xoxX2RnrwxVHRuhVNRJmtAKPyUcdZXCYsbrrQFKYRfb1-0pJ4/s320/DSC06005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hout Bay Harbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOROYHJY4aJXj7IB2mkqEiTAMRX0sHtTseSB2zTwLXwi9orFik9amnfR3sVGMhg1oap1Y_8-Cz7_mY-k1gGoFWt0SxHJ2iwglwF8CWpZQL1zQOYH9VVIPBERnXQ7K8_Kmz3u_OMTiQb8h/s1600/DSC06013.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOROYHJY4aJXj7IB2mkqEiTAMRX0sHtTseSB2zTwLXwi9orFik9amnfR3sVGMhg1oap1Y_8-Cz7_mY-k1gGoFWt0SxHJ2iwglwF8CWpZQL1zQOYH9VVIPBERnXQ7K8_Kmz3u_OMTiQb8h/s200/DSC06013.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a view from Chapmans Peak Drive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HeigDzq0okSUuku8G8TgLlbeSY52LSjRrh736cW4SyllmtSO3PKrrtczFbewj8jIT3hfABUvkVXh1g8M2uQRxEZZtthEq1BP7G_D3iyaGGX35K2fuEJIL244WhaYnHRpDFzK1v6fyG3m/s1600/DSC05544.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HeigDzq0okSUuku8G8TgLlbeSY52LSjRrh736cW4SyllmtSO3PKrrtczFbewj8jIT3hfABUvkVXh1g8M2uQRxEZZtthEq1BP7G_D3iyaGGX35K2fuEJIL244WhaYnHRpDFzK1v6fyG3m/s400/DSC05544.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">The third leg of my vacation took me to Uganda.<span> </span>As soon as I saw the landscape from the airplane window, I felt a sense of familiarity, as Uganda’s topography is very similar to Rwanda, albeit a bit less hilly.<span> </span>Kampala is like Kigali on steroids, and I got great enjoyment out of seeing it through the eyes of my sister-in-laws who seemed in awe of the number of people, the amount of traffic, and the level of chaos as we traveled through the city.<span> </span>We spent three days total in Uganda, two days traveling from Kampala to the Southwest corner and back again (each ~12 hour trips) and one day with the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.<span> The roads in Uganda are not kind, but I will say that they have the art of speed bumps perfected. One bump is apparently not sufficient in Uganda so they have "quints" as we affectionately named them, which are 5 speed bumps in a row. Yes, they make for a very unpleasant ride. Not only do they have "quints," but there are sections of road that have speed bumps spaced every 25 meters or so! It's over-the-top and absurd in so many ways. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxiq1tIdfmEx33VsAX4axsrcTY91qLE9NCELOmmlDNbO27tU4z5qZcAtPoXppCerXUEMwpMeoo3lCe87U-q259MpeTwbVmD_J-GvVl3RYpn8vUJ24xQtBg1Wk8R5FW5IKwFVd7KTBQywM/s1600/DSC05576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-wvGeZiu4qc6nmovEQ5_-jS4t1cRCPmZ7h70y8i1cUbK6DWvBP2b80omQQ_QDbTtSAToa7szTPc6mVSLs_9fBbpVcKLx5_VUYPSH-2eWNZpXCVYdBn4D7sK47FbsLRwTwxFFxXUOEctp/s1600/DSC05626.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-wvGeZiu4qc6nmovEQ5_-jS4t1cRCPmZ7h70y8i1cUbK6DWvBP2b80omQQ_QDbTtSAToa7szTPc6mVSLs_9fBbpVcKLx5_VUYPSH-2eWNZpXCVYdBn4D7sK47FbsLRwTwxFFxXUOEctp/s400/DSC05626.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yv1d9tf2P7saWAYQuWeAp7kHftJGg2O741lbEaplONMHZRUG2XCmZysbjYkAwr3WNm5UqGnbPXe7jyXaYaqktEaJwOlDwSfA5LiweIYzMUnKw9mAs01gM8Cbmmhm-VJ7WZfxx4phNyh3/s1600/DSC05614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span>Our eco-lodge was magnificently placed one hour off the main road, through a series of switchbacks set into the side of the mountain, with sheer cliffs off to the one side and not a guardrail in sight.<span> </span>It was clear to us why our driver wanted to arrive before dark and before any rain had a chance to fall.<span> </span>The road was precarious at best and downright nauseating at other times.<span> </span>It was quite magnificent!<span> </span>(<i>see photo above) </i>Our lodging consisted of a permanent tent with three single beds, a nice wrap-around deck with chairs, and a lovely stone-encased bathroom.<span> Considering our beyond-remote location, we were pleasantly shocked to learn that not only did we have running water and electricity (provided from a generator), we had HOT water! The entire facility</span> was just darling and the staff made us feel most welcome and “at home.”<span> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-wvGeZiu4qc6nmovEQ5_-jS4t1cRCPmZ7h70y8i1cUbK6DWvBP2b80omQQ_QDbTtSAToa7szTPc6mVSLs_9fBbpVcKLx5_VUYPSH-2eWNZpXCVYdBn4D7sK47FbsLRwTwxFFxXUOEctp/s1600/DSC05626.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxiq1tIdfmEx33VsAX4axsrcTY91qLE9NCELOmmlDNbO27tU4z5qZcAtPoXppCerXUEMwpMeoo3lCe87U-q259MpeTwbVmD_J-GvVl3RYpn8vUJ24xQtBg1Wk8R5FW5IKwFVd7KTBQywM/s1600/DSC05576.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxiq1tIdfmEx33VsAX4axsrcTY91qLE9NCELOmmlDNbO27tU4z5qZcAtPoXppCerXUEMwpMeoo3lCe87U-q259MpeTwbVmD_J-GvVl3RYpn8vUJ24xQtBg1Wk8R5FW5IKwFVd7KTBQywM/s320/DSC05576.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjykmQz68aOinO_sTDOdv-eMHQK546VFo39SKYwfLqG2QgMuGNM6TtuykW-U3ONT-TP11Yh1cuJbDcRD0L4XQtOAC6fKD8nYXkWtBhoy5oMVulQXGl-eSQ70-zHWVDt7sqVvlCtdz6URm9/s1600/DSC05561.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjykmQz68aOinO_sTDOdv-eMHQK546VFo39SKYwfLqG2QgMuGNM6TtuykW-U3ONT-TP11Yh1cuJbDcRD0L4XQtOAC6fKD8nYXkWtBhoy5oMVulQXGl-eSQ70-zHWVDt7sqVvlCtdz6URm9/s320/DSC05561.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">I have several friends who have done the gorilla trek in Rwanda and some were blown away by the experience and others felt luke-warm about it.<span> </span>All of them considered it to be a rather easy hike, requiring minimal effort.<span> </span>After my experience, I quickly decided that THAT describes Rwanda gorilla trekking and Uganda is NOT Rwanda.<span> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">To say that the experience was the most physically demanding endeavor I have ever put my body through is probably as accurate of a statement as I can make.<span> </span>It was brutal at times and not overly enjoyable.<span> </span>There were times when there was no path at all to follow, other times when the path was the width of my foot and a cliff fell off to the side, other areas that were wide open, and other times where the jungle was so dense that I could barely keep track of the people around me.<span> </span>Some of the forest was welcoming and the underbrush was soft and bouncy, and some of the forest was not so hospitable and was filled with spiky trees, thorns that seemingly reached out and grabbed my arms and legs, slippery moss, hidden booby-trap holes (that I fell into more than once) and bugs that swarmed around each of our heads in what can only be described as a brutal effort to suffocate us or drive us crazy at the very least.<span> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yv1d9tf2P7saWAYQuWeAp7kHftJGg2O741lbEaplONMHZRUG2XCmZysbjYkAwr3WNm5UqGnbPXe7jyXaYaqktEaJwOlDwSfA5LiweIYzMUnKw9mAs01gM8Cbmmhm-VJ7WZfxx4phNyh3/s1600/DSC05614.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yv1d9tf2P7saWAYQuWeAp7kHftJGg2O741lbEaplONMHZRUG2XCmZysbjYkAwr3WNm5UqGnbPXe7jyXaYaqktEaJwOlDwSfA5LiweIYzMUnKw9mAs01gM8Cbmmhm-VJ7WZfxx4phNyh3/s1600/DSC05614.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yv1d9tf2P7saWAYQuWeAp7kHftJGg2O741lbEaplONMHZRUG2XCmZysbjYkAwr3WNm5UqGnbPXe7jyXaYaqktEaJwOlDwSfA5LiweIYzMUnKw9mAs01gM8Cbmmhm-VJ7WZfxx4phNyh3/s320/DSC05614.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a view of an entrance into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">T<span style="font-size: small;">hree hours into the hike, I honestly thought to myself that NOTHING could make the trek worthwhile, and I am still considering whether or not that was a true statement.<span> </span>The jury is still out. When we finally approached the family we were tracking, we saw the giant silverback.<span> </span>He was 200kg+ and is the largest of all of the silverbacks in Uganda.<span> </span>I have to say that the encounter was surreal and captivating.<span> </span>As we watched him, he watched us and for a while I got lost in the moment.<span> </span>We spent most our allotted hour with him (each tracking group only gets 1 hour with a gorilla family, so as not to intrude in their world too much), and spent just a few minutes with other members of his family – a young toddler who was very playful, and a female.<span> </span>Our guide said that it was not a great encounter because of the dense vegetation, but I thought it was spectacular that we got to see a silverback!<span> </span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbWco5vyztctGs9xO1tfYCBB2QGLXP0T6SmfkT9w4ihKjSz9aqdayA25vw1E7qedlNJ2wmuXgEGISk5GPdzBl684h9pNRVKiCaRS3Nf9z6-tY-5UmRAea5iibOOHi_zpSpn260jHJVHjQ/s1600/DSC05616.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbWco5vyztctGs9xO1tfYCBB2QGLXP0T6SmfkT9w4ihKjSz9aqdayA25vw1E7qedlNJ2wmuXgEGISk5GPdzBl684h9pNRVKiCaRS3Nf9z6-tY-5UmRAea5iibOOHi_zpSpn260jHJVHjQ/s200/DSC05616.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an "after-the-trek" photo op</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">After our time with the gorillas, we had a quick picnic lunch and then began the equally long and arduous trek back to where we began the journey.<span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">I honestly did not know whether to cry or collapse when we finished – I was elated, and somewhat dazed.<span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span> </span>But we made it! We each got gorilla trekking certificates for our accomplishment, and were congratulated for conquering the task-at-hand and not being conquered by it.<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I wasn’t sure whether I had</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> really dominated anything, but at least I finished and was still smiling. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span></span>I rewarded myself with a 90-minute massage back at the eco-lodge, and although it was a bit unconventional, it was absolutely glorious after battering and abusing my body all day on the hike (AND it only cost USD$15!)<span> </span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q_THarXMa7n-OoJkel2k4358JsQUZaIDAodBJ8I14sCGHLjigUYkRhuOFbt0bDs-BZkMXA8F_y7MzIm8CPA2Tcm9MAx6QE47eatV9lKjm78DdjOvYYoNboaxfQcG-xfEfu-j_X55tpkd/s1600/DSC05628.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Q_THarXMa7n-OoJkel2k4358JsQUZaIDAodBJ8I14sCGHLjigUYkRhuOFbt0bDs-BZkMXA8F_y7MzIm8CPA2Tcm9MAx6QE47eatV9lKjm78DdjOvYYoNboaxfQcG-xfEfu-j_X55tpkd/s320/DSC05628.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">After a 12-hour drive back to the airport in Entebbe, my sister-in-laws and I realized that after three very different voyages spanning the mainland of Tanzania as well as the island of Zanzibar, and then ultimately Uganda, it was time to say goodbye.<span> </span>They were headed back to the USA and I was headed to South Africa for the final 10 days of my vacation.<span> </span>It was exceptional to share Africa with my sister-in-laws and have them experience a piece of my world.<span> </span>Our time together was extraordinary and I will forever cherish the memories in my heart.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span>THANKS AGAIN STEPH AND COURT!<span> </span></span></div></div>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-20115030012771536212012-09-07T14:55:00.000+02:002012-09-07T14:55:49.758+02:00I'll take a dala dala and some spices, please<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZxBz7Vn6gAVs4gkc5fTKBoYxTd4Qt_asK7ebnKUkRNl4ykzGgqqj1hWb7Zw8oS6KiErm2SSj6ZNzRPTY_3Dvgk9rFZjT4NHevGEebzPNbzb00nF3zsyML5N-EFK4ZqTtLlQo6yoaVbnp/s1600/546520_4082250567653_521910883_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZxBz7Vn6gAVs4gkc5fTKBoYxTd4Qt_asK7ebnKUkRNl4ykzGgqqj1hWb7Zw8oS6KiErm2SSj6ZNzRPTY_3Dvgk9rFZjT4NHevGEebzPNbzb00nF3zsyML5N-EFK4ZqTtLlQo6yoaVbnp/s400/546520_4082250567653_521910883_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Zanzibar is seemingly where the Arab world meets India and collides with sub-Saharan Africa. It is unlike anywhere I have ever been, and spectacular in so many ways. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWV1eZr6GkMrRrS0pbhIX587nkIJ2opqzMF2VIdgWUcYUVDCpRZQaZ0uqJDChUdKWAB-pRfq1aXkSs2EtIMN_AhIso5qR4JQdxUn1xWtUk7qKBqKtxdfPqfsBLYp8-VjnvgrgfJH5LLid/s1600/578802_4082252007689_55032954_a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWV1eZr6GkMrRrS0pbhIX587nkIJ2opqzMF2VIdgWUcYUVDCpRZQaZ0uqJDChUdKWAB-pRfq1aXkSs2EtIMN_AhIso5qR4JQdxUn1xWtUk7qKBqKtxdfPqfsBLYp8-VjnvgrgfJH5LLid/s1600/578802_4082252007689_55032954_a.jpg" /></a>Zanzibar is located in the Indian Ocean, 6° south of the equator and 36 km from the Tanzanian mainland coast. 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</style> <![endif]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> (9</span><span style="font-size: small;">50 sq mi<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-19"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zanzibar#cite_note-19"><span></span><span></span></a></sup>). Zanzibar is characterized by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs, and the magic of historic Stone Town – said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa. Several years ago, a friend of mine told me that Zanzibar was his "favorite place in the world." I honestly had never given the island much thought before then, but it was on my must-visit list when I moved to Rwanda, 9 months ago today. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nU2pOHghXuaHJ-ZDkGjpVxwIPbQa9j6lDAQqJ6tHi_xYeyi6_KnEhEk_Dyp9aYQJt_jObLA07eHvV0PXOXnaNDVXQ8l25V-P03LULc3imQl94t5fSJ3S_LhKxWZ6TswgIlbpxQ72rzLI/s1600/DSC05488.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nU2pOHghXuaHJ-ZDkGjpVxwIPbQa9j6lDAQqJ6tHi_xYeyi6_KnEhEk_Dyp9aYQJt_jObLA07eHvV0PXOXnaNDVXQ8l25V-P03LULc3imQl94t5fSJ3S_LhKxWZ6TswgIlbpxQ72rzLI/s200/DSC05488.JPG" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">Going from being within arm's reach of a lion several hours before, to the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar made it seem like I had been transported to another world when I arrived early in the evening. I was still wearing the dust of the Serengeti when I landed, and I felt like I had arrived on the set of Aladdin and was instantly infused with wonder, delight, and pure excitement! </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The first full-day was spent getting lost in Stone Town (literally and figuratively). Once I ventured off of the main roads, a maze-like series of narrow alleys exploded in front of me. Although at times it felt a bit claustrophobic, it was sort of enchanting. The alleys were lined with store after store, filled with African crafts, spices, fabrics, and food. It was such a lovely escape, and there were times when I felt like I had tripped down Alice's rabbit hole because it seemed so other-worldly. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBPW-2Aw13oCAHE40qVQ00cD0kK6-XsiqUa9Q8n3sGr5D466pj_mJnOxbSsubjGsrvXrERgP5g0Yu630NpWG9nvIFQ1P6x9mWWZ1FJTOlFMk5ojB_PjQn3CA5DMkJQ4d52cM9NYkwVtlN/s1600/DSC05517.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBPW-2Aw13oCAHE40qVQ00cD0kK6-XsiqUa9Q8n3sGr5D466pj_mJnOxbSsubjGsrvXrERgP5g0Yu630NpWG9nvIFQ1P6x9mWWZ1FJTOlFMk5ojB_PjQn3CA5DMkJQ4d52cM9NYkwVtlN/s200/DSC05517.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAY6lb9Cv40jxFfZeqESyiWlpV68u0G-_ciQA4s8yRRPhYaVU99is9BAWTPL97X-Fyo-VA2YkiYvARVfimeNrupv_f1v7jlcAVjxKSI-fLUvtw2o_c21CRkUYsKwHG0zrHXdfH3DU9lpa/s1600/DSC05530.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAY6lb9Cv40jxFfZeqESyiWlpV68u0G-_ciQA4s8yRRPhYaVU99is9BAWTPL97X-Fyo-VA2YkiYvARVfimeNrupv_f1v7jlcAVjxKSI-fLUvtw2o_c21CRkUYsKwHG0zrHXdfH3DU9lpa/s200/DSC05530.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8_gr6Viv4VKESwanxbULvViHBQJpa1uKiYTTc5wU-LMrqCsOhOEVRYtTHRaHHy_G-TsQ7c1jCPFTMDlIEQmKZQggOPEyn2aJAhmfyUYvvsLA21piZdV0x-wDA_8hCq6ptbeaseYZRoTU/s1600/DSC05501.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8_gr6Viv4VKESwanxbULvViHBQJpa1uKiYTTc5wU-LMrqCsOhOEVRYtTHRaHHy_G-TsQ7c1jCPFTMDlIEQmKZQggOPEyn2aJAhmfyUYvvsLA21piZdV0x-wDA_8hCq6ptbeaseYZRoTU/s200/DSC05501.JPG" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">My sister-in-laws and I chose two excursions to go on while in Zanzibar - a Spice Tour, and a snorkeling trip near Prison Island. After breakfast in our boutique hotel's rooftop cafe (we found that most cafes and restaurants in Stone Town were located on the roofs of buildings), we headed about thirty minutes away from Stone Town to a spice farm. We really had no idea what we were in for, but it turned out to be exceptional! During the tour we put our senses to work while we saw, touched, tasted, and smelled a variety of nature's finest - a teak forest, a mahogany forest, pineapple plants, banana trees (<i>see banana fruit photo to the left</i>), peppercorn plants (5 colors), lemongrass, cinnamon, coconuts, star fruit, lychee, coffee, turmeric, breadfruit, jack fruit, oranges, cloves, ginger, nutmeg (<i>see photo of the red nutmeg nut to the left, above the banana fruit</i>), cardamon, cocoa pods, chili peppers, vanilla beans, annoto (a red seed that makes dyes for cosmetics - <i>photo above, to the right</i>)</span><span style="font-size: small;">, curry, ylang flowers, and much more. It was incredible! </span><span style="font-size: small;">Throughout the tour of the farm, three local men made palm frond bracelets, rings, necklaces, and glasses for us to wear, as well as a little container to hold all of our spice samples. They were charming and so creative with the natural fibers and materials at their disposal. To be honest, the spice tour was quite fascinating and much more enjoyale and captivating than I could have ever imagined. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGA5TKofd_g2Mqu5Cq8X5W_UGDpE_zUwARU7v4SuQB0KrFUdQtR8HUicjTxuv3-vgUmrM6THctd357kTpuYk1GrQ-QL7J5zf10xdWpO-I8DrnvOeMu242y1WreCaSV3zuYuNvqIYnfjQ7/s1600/dala+dala.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGA5TKofd_g2Mqu5Cq8X5W_UGDpE_zUwARU7v4SuQB0KrFUdQtR8HUicjTxuv3-vgUmrM6THctd357kTpuYk1GrQ-QL7J5zf10xdWpO-I8DrnvOeMu242y1WreCaSV3zuYuNvqIYnfjQ7/s200/dala+dala.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">After the tour, we had a traditional Zanzabarian lunch </span><span style="font-size: small;">underneath a traditional African thatched hut</span><span style="font-size: small;"> - pilau rice with steamed spinach and coconut sauce, infused with spices and vegetables. It was prepared for us by the locals and was absolutely delicious (and perfectly seasoned!) </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our return trip to Stone Town contained a bit of excitement as we boarded a dala dala bus with the locals (<i>see photo to the right</i>). </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xOuwjfQIWbKi7OAiJZCPXXIQEQIJ_uPf_Dp29DVqPhahhQcfn1JdXeIevA9bL8YJzfSL2Bn6wfg9bCl5kat9zQZXEx7yAV3sgHZKeETiW1sCyE5QUOD1m_xwqFNiwRqzR9ImATaEBKSo/s1600/264653_4082251287671_1870071092_a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xOuwjfQIWbKi7OAiJZCPXXIQEQIJ_uPf_Dp29DVqPhahhQcfn1JdXeIevA9bL8YJzfSL2Bn6wfg9bCl5kat9zQZXEx7yAV3sgHZKeETiW1sCyE5QUOD1m_xwqFNiwRqzR9ImATaEBKSo/s1600/264653_4082251287671_1870071092_a.jpg" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMgZ1SbKb_gawOR8SCs-jNYHGUewgoF3VoHk33en121wOSemyV4T_iEa5FRb5izcV3WU6XEt2mAlDfyvdSaYld-D1xLX54xQ8oadbO-H4Nvo2-0I99ZrnaPB5rBNFjoSvd41qANKg56Or/s1600/DSC05493.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMgZ1SbKb_gawOR8SCs-jNYHGUewgoF3VoHk33en121wOSemyV4T_iEa5FRb5izcV3WU6XEt2mAlDfyvdSaYld-D1xLX54xQ8oadbO-H4Nvo2-0I99ZrnaPB5rBNFjoSvd41qANKg56Or/s200/DSC05493.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznv37s0uXZwM3dP8s4-MrkdkJ5rfuj1KVdkcxYRyYvwG0x6Phjr2BVjciqrBW19oeRaczQlvTAbfIhK8-NQ9JYeI-D-bIu5kyNkRb98Ke7G177TiF91hnd2MsgJ_om4uj7wIKF-4R7522/s1600/293048_4082251487676_351073746_a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznv37s0uXZwM3dP8s4-MrkdkJ5rfuj1KVdkcxYRyYvwG0x6Phjr2BVjciqrBW19oeRaczQlvTAbfIhK8-NQ9JYeI-D-bIu5kyNkRb98Ke7G177TiF91hnd2MsgJ_om4uj7wIKF-4R7522/s1600/293048_4082251487676_351073746_a.jpg" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">Our second excursion had us boarding a local's boat </span><span style="font-size: small;">and venturing out into the Indian Ocean to a coral reef just off the coast of Prison Island (also known as Changuu or Quarantine Island) which is 3.5 miles north-west of Stone Town. The island saw use as a prison for rebellious slaves in the 1860s and also functioned as a coral mine. No prisoners were ever housed on the island and instead it became a quarantine station for yellow fever cases. More recently the island has become a government-owned tourist resort and houses over 100 endangered Aldabra Giant Tortoises which were originally a gift from the British governor of the Seychelles in 1919. </span><span style="font-size: small;">After enduring the sun and heat out on the spice tour, I was eager to jump into the Indian Ocean for a bit of snorkeling. There weren't as many fish as I had hoped for, but I saw a few small schools and plenty of starfish and urchins. The sea was the most beautiful color imaginable with its turquoise color accentuated by the white-washed buildings along the coast of Stone Town. After some fun in the water, we toured the Tortoise Sanctuary and I even got to hold one of the endangered creatures! (somehow I don't think that would have been permitted in the USA) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTrLGKXO3glL8UH6nLGFgomzEs7-VWd7vv5K3Dcj4sVIEZ-StxdiLurDfrxY3sH8ovxbGxGg51LxQFrPwHd8HZYjVy9oawevvxaSjnEYrOTMadslWfQo8xyHykplrpXac4g3C9DfD5f6G/s1600/DSC05540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTrLGKXO3glL8UH6nLGFgomzEs7-VWd7vv5K3Dcj4sVIEZ-StxdiLurDfrxY3sH8ovxbGxGg51LxQFrPwHd8HZYjVy9oawevvxaSjnEYrOTMadslWfQo8xyHykplrpXac4g3C9DfD5f6G/s400/DSC05540.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;">My trip to Zanzibar came to a close with a perfect dinner on the beach, looking out at the Indian Ocean as the sun set, with drinks in hand, laughter in the air, and a sense of excitement as my sister-in-laws and I looked forward to taking off on our third leg of the trip - Uganda and the gorillas! </span></div></div>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-57198609279438118212012-09-04T13:15:00.001+02:002012-09-04T23:04:41.226+02:00Lions, Zebras, and Cheetahs - OH MY!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwuWYfYlMSIYVqmssZjKHzisUOhi1pmAe3eHxqiurPqN0eJqmFFWUnBCGY6jd2qfuEr90YLK0eJGGVqXZkNGBhFz61hKWASOaTtnH1F_iAZiOKg7inJEy4mfpE5clQYSDj5CVZiNGyl5W/s1600/DSC05350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwuWYfYlMSIYVqmssZjKHzisUOhi1pmAe3eHxqiurPqN0eJqmFFWUnBCGY6jd2qfuEr90YLK0eJGGVqXZkNGBhFz61hKWASOaTtnH1F_iAZiOKg7inJEy4mfpE5clQYSDj5CVZiNGyl5W/s400/DSC05350.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everyone needs a reprieve from the daily grind, and that goes for those of us in fellowship and volunteer programs as well. To the outside world, some view my year in Rwanda as an adjournment from life, when in fact it’s more of an alternate route that I have chosen to take in lieu of continuing on in the same direction I was headed prior to moving here. My year in Rwanda is not a year of vacation, relaxation and rest. In the second term alone, I was responsible for overseeing 97 overnight guests and over 73 day visitors in the Village. One group of visitors blended into the next, and by the end of the term, I felt utterly drained and a bit ragged. 6 weeks of vacation was a welcome antidote. Some people only dream of having that much time off, and here it is part of my reality living in Rwanda. The term break between the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> final term of the school year began on 21<sup>st</sup> July, affording me the opportunity to see and do the three things I wanted to experience when I first moved to Rwanda – trekking with the gorillas, exploring Zanzibar, and visiting Cape Town. Along with those adventures, I also had the opportunity to go on my second Tanzanian safari with two of the best travel companions – 2 of my sister-in-laws (who also trekked with me and explored Zanzibar). Before I get too far ahead of myself, allow me to jump back to the first two weeks of vacation, which I spent in the Village. This quiet “down time” permitted me to get my room and house in order, relax, think, meditate, and spend time with the few students who remained in the Village. The Senior 6 (4th year) students were in the Village studying for the upcoming National Exam (somewhat the equivalent of the SATs in America), Senior 5 (3rd year) students were also in the Village, and 25 Enrichment Year (1st year) stude</span><span style="font-size: small;">nts were in the Village working with the International Theatre and Literacy Program from NYC. Each afternoon I attended rehearsals with the aforementioned theatre students, which took me back to the days when I performed on stage. To see the magic of theatre manifest itself in and take hold of the students was just enchanting! So many of the first year students are still a bit reclusive and withdrawn, but leave it to the stage to encourage and allow them to emerge from their cocoons and experience the joy of expression! After untold hours of rehearsal, they would leave energized, animated, and full of life – it was magnificent to see. In the end, after 2 weeks of work, a drama was scripted, roles were developed, the staging was set, and the students performed their dramatic play. It was a brilliant piece of art and I sat in the audience looking at all of the kids as if each of them were my own brothers and sisters. I know the kind of therapeutic magic theatre and acting did for me through my many years on stage, but to witness it from a different perspective was absolutely lovely and profound.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>To prevent this from being the longest blog entry on record, I am going to break the remaining 4 weeks of my vacation time traveling into several entries, each describing a different leg of my journey.</i> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">First up – the Tanzanian safari! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WC-lmH904IjxcgbQc8U7yXh2uM0wywud53MoU5ed8OEqCvKIHhvApdwSeLmfq6Dkvl8_4kbIXPYN1wRuMZOoHxQ9Se2pTZyL71_aQp1Csi8Vxl3VXaTXOxW-u-5cUcerms58nt76PmFK/s1600/DSC05325.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WC-lmH904IjxcgbQc8U7yXh2uM0wywud53MoU5ed8OEqCvKIHhvApdwSeLmfq6Dkvl8_4kbIXPYN1wRuMZOoHxQ9Se2pTZyL71_aQp1Csi8Vxl3VXaTXOxW-u-5cUcerms58nt76PmFK/s320/DSC05325.JPG" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> Nearly two years ago to the date, I was afforded the opportunity to go on safari with an amazing group of friends, who are more like family to me than acquaintances. We spent nearly two weeks on a Tauck Bridges safari, which is a “glamping” (or glamorous camping) safari, spending nights in exquisite lodges. This time, my sister-in-laws and I decided to “rough it” a bit and opted to camp - in tents - with wild animals all around us - and squatty potty toilets (holes in the ground). There was nothing glamorous about any aspect of our trip, but it was extraordinary! Two years after I fell in love with Tanzania, I was back. I had dreamed for so long to go on an African safari, and now in the span of just over two years, I have gone on two safaris. That is truly remarkable and fills me with awe!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw8OfKsla8SX-QtPM0oqxe4DNpMXa2sOYBMDAm2Q6uEUSzFCK1nrQ4y8CZdTomcTx5WaBVEwer4pr1rXmwd-LxNUqP9V7bsV2EwDeeRBq0YhTIwuzqU7w9eL9SjHP9jqw4EOb61OSmQGm/s1600/DSC05283.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw8OfKsla8SX-QtPM0oqxe4DNpMXa2sOYBMDAm2Q6uEUSzFCK1nrQ4y8CZdTomcTx5WaBVEwer4pr1rXmwd-LxNUqP9V7bsV2EwDeeRBq0YhTIwuzqU7w9eL9SjHP9jqw4EOb61OSmQGm/s320/DSC05283.JPG" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Day 1</b> – My sister-in-laws flew from America and met me at the Kilimanjaro airport in Arusha, Tanzania. I had not seen either of them since Thanksgiving, so tears flooded my eyes as soon as I got a glimpse of them in the baggage claim area. A sudden rush of sadness hit me though, realizing for the first time that had my brother Kurt been alive, he very likely would have been accompanying them and going on this adventure with us. Family has become everything to me since my brother’s death, so having two of my sister-in-laws travel literally around the world to see me meant more than the world to me. I don’t have the words to describe my gratitude. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Day 2</b> – We met our driver Moses and personal cook for the safari (nicknamed rabbit) and traveled to Tarangire Natio</span><span style="font-size: small;">nal Park, which occupies an area 2850km<sup>2</sup>, making it the 5<sup>th</sup> largest park in Tanzania. It is best known for its many elephants and magnificent Baobab trees. After setting up camp, we went for a late afternoon game drive and hit the jackpot – we saw water bucks, buffalo, a cheetah and her baby eating a gazelle, zebra, lions, impala, elephants, monkeys (including one that nearly climbed inside our vehicle!), a dik dik, a jackal, and numerous birds. What a great way to christen our safari! It was so incredible to be back and feel such love for Tanzania – the country makes me feel something very special, unlike anywhere else I have discovered. There is such a sense of serenity that I need to bottle and take with me everywhere I go. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk01rgaSP9CwhEY9ULSNL3ng-3N8hn5-DTB0If3JVyD0QyC8TUdFcTG5ajpKYLv4Y_OPVFTy8EyaJpHdhWiUZydkQneYEWBJ4pNGjAlju3o_5tyFwFCyEUC40UMf87l5CysT7f8X7oBYj/s1600/DSC05341.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk01rgaSP9CwhEY9ULSNL3ng-3N8hn5-DTB0If3JVyD0QyC8TUdFcTG5ajpKYLv4Y_OPVFTy8EyaJpHdhWiUZydkQneYEWBJ4pNGjAlju3o_5tyFwFCyEUC40UMf87l5CysT7f8X7oBYj/s320/DSC05341.JPG" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Day 3</b> - We saw hippos (<i>see photo to the left</i>), </span><span style="font-size: small;">hartebeest, giraffe, antelopes, topi, gazelles, more lions, and a warthog today, even with spending much of the day driving from Tarangire into Ngorongoro conservation area, around the top edge of the caldera (<i>see photo below, to the left</i>), </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNChkwQF8tcNStV10DRmIcN4edHnr7UjQBfIZCoM7yB_SH6sOj89xIEr2pGcE1rPb44sZBMa0qNKBUwh_ZBCVUMfJdvTgKsbrpJj0_3aLcpS6QlrATHK_A57TjNbwKlGd1SuxyEnyiNj7R/s1600/DSC05242.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNChkwQF8tcNStV10DRmIcN4edHnr7UjQBfIZCoM7yB_SH6sOj89xIEr2pGcE1rPb44sZBMa0qNKBUwh_ZBCVUMfJdvTgKsbrpJj0_3aLcpS6QlrATHK_A57TjNbwKlGd1SuxyEnyiNj7R/s200/DSC05242.JPG" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">and into the Serengeti. It was a long, dusty, and bumpy ride, but the scenery was just breath-taking. On our way, we stopped at a Maasai Village where we were greeted with a traditional welcome dance. The three of us joined in the fun and wore traditional beaded necklaces while we jumped up and down and did a dance with the locals (<i>see photo below, to the right</i>). </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxC5bqCXhWoXnnmaoQwNj_QrQTeiewe2hWFk2RrNBRUYtz3DgruU76Vzxrk9qb0t0VD20Zu7RClEexKlfbXOgiurMcP4BGJa22HC55KWjoWg7plgPBuOLfVPgD4ZtY7Nbtw5hyphenhyphen6te9XKAn/s1600/DSC05208.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxC5bqCXhWoXnnmaoQwNj_QrQTeiewe2hWFk2RrNBRUYtz3DgruU76Vzxrk9qb0t0VD20Zu7RClEexKlfbXOgiurMcP4BGJa22HC55KWjoWg7plgPBuOLfVPgD4ZtY7Nbtw5hyphenhyphen6te9XKAn/s320/DSC05208.JPG" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">The day was filled (for me) with two extraordinary sights. The first being the “white faced” Maasai, which I hadn’t seen on my last trip to Tanzania. I was told that every three years, young Maasai men go on a three month journey where they venture away from their Villages and live in the bush. They must do it before they turn 18, so their ages vary. During this journey, they dress in black (a stark contrast to their usual bluish purple and red Maasai attire), and adorn their faces in decorative and ornate patterns of white paint. It is during this time that their bodies recover from a recent circumcision, and when they return to their Villages, they are deemed a “man” and are given a spear and are allowed to begin courting females. At first site, their appearance is a bit ghoulish, yet fantastic and mesmerizing. The second extraordinary sight of the day was seeing 5 lionesses laying out, lounging in the afternoon sun as we drove into Serengeti National Park! It was glorious!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1Wd1XSv_djtl234BQClNryVxZv6-Hoxp7MYC02bk2MBzVPrSQFQeOEddHGOn8Olmkcynw9ggDkLMNFrwSkRPTv0oZs8OGysYjzbC1W5xXutNIdaXg_op_4ERfi0oLEX17bKTrGbHDhR-/s1600/DSC05307.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1Wd1XSv_djtl234BQClNryVxZv6-Hoxp7MYC02bk2MBzVPrSQFQeOEddHGOn8Olmkcynw9ggDkLMNFrwSkRPTv0oZs8OGysYjzbC1W5xXutNIdaXg_op_4ERfi0oLEX17bKTrGbHDhR-/s320/DSC05307.JPG" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Day 4</b> – Today’s close encounter was with a leopard! Leopards are such magnificent creatures, elusive and stealthy and absolutely beautiful! After that sighting, we saw 2 cheetahs perched atop a mound, almost posing for the cameras (<i>see photo to the left</i>). </span><span style="font-size: small;">We also saw a serval, a hyrax, baboons, blue-balled monkeys (yes, they have fluorescent blue balls), vultures, the infamous Tanzanian love birds (<i>see photo below</i>), warthogs, and hippos galore at the hippo pond. The noises and sights on safari are truly exceptional. It is such a remarkable place and I found myself smiling just from looking around at the landscape. We returned to camp just as the majestic sun set over the Serengeti, and I snapped one of my all-time favorite photos of buffalo grazing (<i>see photo at the beginning of this post</i>). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBnBnpV45nRiv6Uijj1Sq9ygUerYWLzyqdD9miuMcOm9xxvXIqZAlkyTx5NQ0MRGG-kZdVe1ypDO23lyVd9617gpx2BYx9NIU2Mp84KEIeHS7GjC76sZ05zHEi3NacLd-86PUiC1Q2mF_/s1600/DSC05403.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBnBnpV45nRiv6Uijj1Sq9ygUerYWLzyqdD9miuMcOm9xxvXIqZAlkyTx5NQ0MRGG-kZdVe1ypDO23lyVd9617gpx2BYx9NIU2Mp84KEIeHS7GjC76sZ05zHEi3NacLd-86PUiC1Q2mF_/s320/DSC05403.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Tm8whVE8PB1rdhbVceavUIRqbHGsJzi3MLH8CQO-otIdiaBngGQQvtMLP6tVwHsYRdLjTzU2Xfy0ZFUhQ7azCFzsgkm-VRCx0cTTkmanFRyzIUmnR54SLsrlylM7yr8UJslXqKviuUM5/s1600/DSC05374.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Tm8whVE8PB1rdhbVceavUIRqbHGsJzi3MLH8CQO-otIdiaBngGQQvtMLP6tVwHsYRdLjTzU2Xfy0ZFUhQ7azCFzsgkm-VRCx0cTTkmanFRyzIUmnR54SLsrlylM7yr8UJslXqKviuUM5/s320/DSC05374.JPG" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Day 5</b> – We saw 17 lions on our early morning game drive! A pride of 7 females crossed our path two times, literally walking within a car’s length of our vehicle (<i>see photo to the right and watch the video below</i>). </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">They were returning from a kill and were smeared with blood, which stained the fur around their noses and mouths and on their paws. What a spectacle and glimpse of the rawness of nature! After all that excitement, we returned to camp, had brunch, and headed back to Ngorongoro. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzsvYo3EUBPcL8IoZQl5ZbIakzLanN186i6aY8cghcLAGEUtqzfZTMtPGobGxL0sVWwKiZ3nVg7c0IOSamsww' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When we arrived at our campsite later in the day, my breath was stolen from me for a moment – the setting was brilliant, perched atop the ridge, overlooking the caldera below (<i>see photo below</i>). It was absolutely wild, in fact I had to walk through a herd of grazing zebras on my way to the bathroom! </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMYA1agzdADSV7SiDB7n-4OifjWArs_SUZjvQalwEBH6tMTnLSrq0SwR5g6IzrwqqtIwNKclOvp_SY7y9ZZ7STHulR0QngWFhpYPJ05dhRVyP7X1BL5B6RbZXm44DM5AZAQxVc9it6-qf/s1600/DSC05409.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMYA1agzdADSV7SiDB7n-4OifjWArs_SUZjvQalwEBH6tMTnLSrq0SwR5g6IzrwqqtIwNKclOvp_SY7y9ZZ7STHulR0QngWFhpYPJ05dhRVyP7X1BL5B6RbZXm44DM5AZAQxVc9it6-qf/s400/DSC05409.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oL4ZuMjae3Fb25IZ_OQW9vUfo0Ks9yWO40T5fhqjedes69qxF67VKDbSlSlPvV4mce5z9eXi2fihhSS83LvJ0xCORzYmRWIWrME0xhhDQRnn_6DE7o5AlofpFfKY9bD9ht79hN8yqmez/s1600/DSC05436.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oL4ZuMjae3Fb25IZ_OQW9vUfo0Ks9yWO40T5fhqjedes69qxF67VKDbSlSlPvV4mce5z9eXi2fihhSS83LvJ0xCORzYmRWIWrME0xhhDQRnn_6DE7o5AlofpFfKY9bD9ht79hN8yqmez/s320/DSC05436.JPG" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Day 6</b> – Between the seemingly sub-zero temperatures that made me shiver all night long, and the WHOOOOP calls of the nearby hyenas, I did not sleep well, but that didn’t put a damper on our last day of safari – inside the Ngorongoro Caldera. We finally saw the big daddy lion, with its untamed mane blowing in the gentle breeze (<i>see photo to the left</i>). </span><span style="font-size: small;">We found him with is “lady” at the end of their mating cycle. Lions mate every 15 minutes or so for 7 continuous days, once or twice a year, so you can only imagine how exhausted the female lion looked when we found her. A bit further along the path, we joined dozens of other safari cars and could barely make out in the distance one of the 26 remaining black rhinos in the caldera. Further along the road, we came to a screeching halt because right next to the road, literally within arm’s reach lay a lioness, just relaxing as if she didn’t have a care in the world. If I had stepped out of the vehicle, I would have stepped on her – that’s how close she was to us! Just beyond her was one of my favorite sights of the trip – a lion in a tree! (<i>see photo to the right</i>) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgQsYdss5ZHEX_48_wky36WeJ5c9vT13QTJleVLlY5YnB5j5hOmTn57nOstAzGm_zQ8BdL1gjcbg1xcbiNOYFqJyK4b8B2yHhmiS4mKZXDK0Ang7K50kfDtdfvCJfyAUDEThQlQpi0fwM/s1600/DSC05466.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgQsYdss5ZHEX_48_wky36WeJ5c9vT13QTJleVLlY5YnB5j5hOmTn57nOstAzGm_zQ8BdL1gjcbg1xcbiNOYFqJyK4b8B2yHhmiS4mKZXDK0Ang7K50kfDtdfvCJfyAUDEThQlQpi0fwM/s320/DSC05466.JPG" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">What a stunning and exhilarating way to finish off our safari! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As our airplane taxied down the runway, Mt. Kilimanjaro came out from hiding behind the clouds (a rare occurrence during this time of year). What a spectacular sight to see out of the airplane window as we took off for our next leg – Zanzibar! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-35124269025688318752012-07-29T13:06:00.002+02:002012-07-29T14:03:15.910+02:00Mushanana Madness!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMP_NA0ywQHhATs58eDyiu52mOv6i8_T9GWQ_7sNVPz-4pRifNggIeDOCQsQvcTh13PkHK7w6wrM_pCrDUkZ0hLxd8SUpvxjGXOJ1MOol0BWiK7DUfbsRrEX-leFmcujmDvMJooCBtZ_cy/s1600/DSC04077b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMP_NA0ywQHhATs58eDyiu52mOv6i8_T9GWQ_7sNVPz-4pRifNggIeDOCQsQvcTh13PkHK7w6wrM_pCrDUkZ0hLxd8SUpvxjGXOJ1MOol0BWiK7DUfbsRrEX-leFmcujmDvMJooCBtZ_cy/s320/DSC04077b.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>Excuse me? A what? <br />
<br />
That was my response to being told by my Rwandan big sister that I was going to attend the wedding of her cousin, and that I was invited to take part in the <span style="font-style: italic;">entire</span> celebration, which meant I had to wear a mushanana for the Introduction Ceremony (<i>see photo to the left</i>). A mushanana is the traditional wedding attire for women, both in attendance and in the bridal party, but only for the Introduction Ceremony. It is generally made of a silky and flowing fabric, which looks beautiful in the breeze. At the time, I had no idea truly what I was in for, or what the day would entail. 13 1/2 hours after I stepped foot in the saloon (what is known as a salon in America), I would be told that there were still 2 more ceremonies to attend! That's one heck of a wedding day!<br />
Coming into this experience, I really wanted to immerse myself in the culture of Rwanda, and to embrace every opportunity I had to get a view of life in my new country. I had heard stories of Rwandan weddings, and each time I am in Kigali, I see many processionals of cars either heading to or from weddings, so when I was asked to attend a wedding, there was no decision to be made - I was in! <br />
The Introduction was the first event, not counting the hair and nails getting done by those in the wedding party at the aforementioned saloon. Some Rwandan weddings have the Introduction <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvMnAaaGgzz6AWKpd9LrqJ-xCBl70ncD6INLj5Lsn9Rcmz_XS-KEHFHTXOQaahnxFh4_z1QCmA6CYvQp8NYFoKIgUVFfagWRGTFsyD2kJXuguiNG_emuR8PgP2HqIZl8kCgHHDLy2tC5E/s1600/DSC04081.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvMnAaaGgzz6AWKpd9LrqJ-xCBl70ncD6INLj5Lsn9Rcmz_XS-KEHFHTXOQaahnxFh4_z1QCmA6CYvQp8NYFoKIgUVFfagWRGTFsyD2kJXuguiNG_emuR8PgP2HqIZl8kCgHHDLy2tC5E/s320/DSC04081.JPG" width="320" /></a>Ceremony several weeks, and even months before the actual wedding, but on this day, everything was wrapped into one long day. It was held at the home of a relative of the bride, and the setting was quite idyllic (<i>see photo to the right</i>). The bride's family and guests sat on one side of the yard under a tent, and the groom's family and guests sat across the way. There was a third tent in the middle, intended for the bride and groom and the wedding party. The Introduction consisted of many long speeches from both sides, essentially extolling the virtues of both the bride-to-be and groom-to-be. After the speeches, the discussion about the dowry began and essentially the groom's family and cow caretaker conveyed the "value" of the bride and listed what would be given to the bride's family in exchange for her. That's a crude way of explaining a dowry, but essentially when it comes down to it, that's what a dowry is. The cow caretaker's speech was my favorite, as he explained how many cows the bride's family would get, the health of the cows, the amount of milk the cows produce, etc. and after each sentence, a <i>mooing </i>soundbite was played by the DJ. It was entertaining if nothing else! After the dowry discussion, giant bottles of Coca-Cola and Fanta were exchanged by the fathers of the bride and groom, toasts were made, hugs were given, and the bride was officially presented to the groom and each met each other's families (I am still not certain if this was their first meeting or not). The whole ceremony took a little over 2 hours, and I was not even half-way through the day. <br />
Next stop - the church!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVHybqeUokf38wp7lriUhbRAlJgEb_JNnEojFR_FvXtdpjG2ntr1T07Dq6Dprbm0HKxRwbFgZEXQRw0i5X0YeCM3mUML-MMwhJNDs_0jTARtMl7SxstEjQRkW-P8__Z6rrLO0AYFXp-JW/s1600/DSC04095.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVHybqeUokf38wp7lriUhbRAlJgEb_JNnEojFR_FvXtdpjG2ntr1T07Dq6Dprbm0HKxRwbFgZEXQRw0i5X0YeCM3mUML-MMwhJNDs_0jTARtMl7SxstEjQRkW-P8__Z6rrLO0AYFXp-JW/s320/DSC04095.JPG" width="320" /></a>I changed out of my mushanana and into a dress (which was chosen because it covers my knees), and headed across town to a church. It was an exceptionally hot day in Kigali, and the heat only intensified as I entered the non-air conditioned church which didn't have any windows that opened. Throughout the hour and a half ceremony, I think I faded in and out of either sleep or consciousness on several occassions...I'm still not certain. Imagine sitting in a sauna while a wedding ceremony took place in a different language, and you can begin to understand how I felt. The most amusing part was that on top of the natural heat, the photographer was running around with a mega-watt spotlight, taking pictures of anything and everything, which always seemed to circle back to me because I was one of two token Mzungas at the wedding. The ceremony eventually ended and everyone raced to the doors to get a breath of fresh air. Next stop - the reception!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9fp91qA5IHGqplotSQyLmBHTIzl8ByxIXul4lFcaSrt52E_2QkqM8lcQGYzx05RrWYxP23mlUoMZcu8kO4hB9awgXr6Q2rVtgxkFYoXOjtaWnafk9P6Y-wZN3G_LWBqBog7vRP9Jrjw4/s1600/DSC04100.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9fp91qA5IHGqplotSQyLmBHTIzl8ByxIXul4lFcaSrt52E_2QkqM8lcQGYzx05RrWYxP23mlUoMZcu8kO4hB9awgXr6Q2rVtgxkFYoXOjtaWnafk9P6Y-wZN3G_LWBqBog7vRP9Jrjw4/s320/DSC04100.JPG" width="320" /></a>The reception surprised me, to say the least. It surprised me on several fronts, the first being that it was set up very much like a Western-world wedding reception with tables and chairs and decorations and a dance floor. It was also huge! (see photo to the right) Based on the limited number of people at the Introduction Ceremony, and even fewer people at the Church, I assumed the reception would be a small affair. Shortly after arriving and mingling with guests, I soon learned that most Rwandans know better than to go to EVERY event on a wedding day, but choose <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv_rXzrAQ8GiOnG193vaZNoc6NQxxnOZzFPgZQpenNarW30Z2Iki9YMuklKjWyDWXP2bwjjwos5A-xPsKg-YBuxb6_zQFxVnEb4YYny5ZVchiR1gKN1ja2C-Xweiq8XfBOaWgbWY7Eiws/s1600/DSC04097.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv_rXzrAQ8GiOnG193vaZNoc6NQxxnOZzFPgZQpenNarW30Z2Iki9YMuklKjWyDWXP2bwjjwos5A-xPsKg-YBuxb6_zQFxVnEb4YYny5ZVchiR1gKN1ja2C-Xweiq8XfBOaWgbWY7Eiws/s200/DSC04097.JPG" width="200" /></a>wisely and only attend the reception. Like I said, it's not so different from the Western world :) <br />
Instead of a bar, there were bottled drinks on each table (Fanta, Coca-Cola, local beer, water), and everyone sat wherever they desired. My friend and I sat at an empty table that <b>quickly </b>filled up with Ugandan men. My friend and I soon became aware of the difference between men who were born and raised in Rwanda, the Congo, Burundi, and Uganda. The men at our table spoke <i>at </i>us in a rather assertive way, and what began as an enjoyable event quickly made my friend and me want to run for the hills and put our pjs on and call it a night. But, being a feisty girl who grew up with 3 older brothers who taught me how to stand up for myself and speak my mind, I began to battle back during the discussions, and began asserting my opinion and asking questions. My friend joined in and what started as a one-sided, male-dominated conversation quickly transformed into a discussion about cultures, beliefs, morals, and worldly events. In other words, it became interesting. I don't think the Ugandan men knew what they were in for when they rushed over to sit at my table :) <br />
Several hours passed, and several things became crystal clear: 1) The only dancing that would happen would be performed by traditional dancers, 2) Each person who brought a wedding gift would go up and present their gift to the bride and groom one-by-one (yes, it took FOREVER), and 3) Worst of all, the 15 wedding cakes on display (complete with mosquito netting to keep the flies and moths away) were not for us to enjoy, but rather were gifts for key people in attendance who had played a role in the wedding preparation. Being somewhat of a cake fanatic, and not having access to any cake in Rwanda, I was beyond disappointed at that revelation! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkwFN66VFEMIWzXk0eASgpRa6Ux4alVugVdkRKaJ_dE3YNj5JOVyTJut4XR_MhCyYzGM8bTSN1oSFTasoByEt0HzzhMhvmTrfE8Ev5QZ_qxuq6P63uiDtB_cH8vBa164z4j6xmkiwexTN/s1600/DSC04099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkwFN66VFEMIWzXk0eASgpRa6Ux4alVugVdkRKaJ_dE3YNj5JOVyTJut4XR_MhCyYzGM8bTSN1oSFTasoByEt0HzzhMhvmTrfE8Ev5QZ_qxuq6P63uiDtB_cH8vBa164z4j6xmkiwexTN/s320/DSC04099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At just before 10pm, the buffet line opened and dinner was served, and just when I thought that I was handling things well and going with the flow, the flash bulbs began going off and I quickly realized that my friend and I were the subjects in all the photos. Being the only white people at a Rwandan wedding was somewhat of a "special" thing, and the guests acted like paparazzi, taking photos of us whenever they had the opportunity. Literally mid-bite, I would see a flash go off - I can only imagine what that photo looks like on someone's Facebook page! <br />
After the reception, there were two additional phases of the wedding - 1) going to the bride's home (women generally live with their parents until they marry), collecting her belongings, and assisting with the "move" to the groom's house, which the bride and groom will now share. Traditionally the bride also chooses a close friend or relative to live with her and the groom for the first few weeks of marriage to cook, clean, and tend to the house while the bride settles into her new routine as wife. 2) a celebration at a local nightclub or hotel, where dancing commences until the wee hours. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N8S0EcZQnX-3g3FaEqSWauFjm8Qos4dsR4s7za8mxJUxCsqeec4EK0R5VE7GG2fHhKPIbY7iwTEFQoMT2YDmex_diDZbO5eDdoPSmrJstwf1zlEmnE6ohsa0EskuLQIr_taIuqJMc-IJ/s1600/376542_676166599594_365433892_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N8S0EcZQnX-3g3FaEqSWauFjm8Qos4dsR4s7za8mxJUxCsqeec4EK0R5VE7GG2fHhKPIbY7iwTEFQoMT2YDmex_diDZbO5eDdoPSmrJstwf1zlEmnE6ohsa0EskuLQIr_taIuqJMc-IJ/s320/376542_676166599594_365433892_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>13 1/2 hours after I began my day at the saloon, I walked out of the reception feeling drained, dehydrated, and somewhat verbally attacked, so I called it a night, skipped out on the last two phases of the wedding day, went home and celebrated in my own right by putting on my pjs and crawling into bed. It was a long and interesting day, and honestly I am honored to have been a part of it. Having said that, I think I have had my fill of Rwandan weddings. <br />
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</div>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-52077169151131432772012-07-17T01:36:00.000+02:002012-07-17T01:36:21.293+02:00Mountains Beyond Mountains<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaz6UmumwHb02CmxM-sXrJcwbdKeaveyDFhcrWbfV6IeSxbLC2BPashMKREDmGqYrEjRmayye0Ata76jwcQlrh9ZRFkQ7slExrm_keums05FnAXZGa6wPWuIlM2Od_NjqbQk854gsCDmy9/s1600/burera-scenic-shot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaz6UmumwHb02CmxM-sXrJcwbdKeaveyDFhcrWbfV6IeSxbLC2BPashMKREDmGqYrEjRmayye0Ata76jwcQlrh9ZRFkQ7slExrm_keums05FnAXZGa6wPWuIlM2Od_NjqbQk854gsCDmy9/s400/burera-scenic-shot.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I just finished reading the book, <u>Mountains Beyond Mountains</u> by Tracy Kidder. Although the title makes it sound like a story about Rwanda and it's Land of A Thousand Hills, as it is widely known to have, it is mostly about Haiti. The story is an inspiring account, following Dr. Paul Farmer as he tackles some of the world’s most pressing medical issues by bringing modern medicine to those who need it most in developing countries. It documents the trials and tribulations of his quest and illustrates that one person truly can make a difference in the world. I am not a non-fiction buff, but this book was passed along to me because I was invited to visit one of Dr. Farmer’s projects in Rwanda – Partners In Health (PIH) Rwinkwavu (Southern Kayonza District), or Inshuti Mu Buzima as it is called in Kinyarwanda. One PIH motto is “providing a preferential option for the poor in health care,” and that is precisely what I saw in action when I spent a day in the rural area that surrounds PIH Rwinkwavu. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In partnership with the Rwandan Government and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, PIH is working to build upon and enhance the public health system in three rural districts in Rwanda. The project was designed as a comprehensive primary health care model within the public sector. There is a 150-bed state-of-the-art hospital and cancer center (opened in January 2011) along with 15 health centers in Butaro, a 120-bed hospital and 14 health centers in Kirehe, and a 110-bed hospital and 8 health centers in Rwinkwavu. The entire Rwandan project serves a catchment area of 800,000 people through three district hospitals and 37 health centers.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi7RPUHQ7uzvFy77tcj-9syVOYUFvoRvD-bQyfspimaFlURl6x3gDihB4j8PMfGYxjxpn_uA5Dhgu4A-GioAhC-YijnvIWwkjwuo21qszjKNr85JTfhonF478w71XKduRjBH00FdLhWVi/s1600/Rwanda-Micro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi7RPUHQ7uzvFy77tcj-9syVOYUFvoRvD-bQyfspimaFlURl6x3gDihB4j8PMfGYxjxpn_uA5Dhgu4A-GioAhC-YijnvIWwkjwuo21qszjKNr85JTfhonF478w71XKduRjBH00FdLhWVi/s320/Rwanda-Micro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The tiny nation of Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa, with a population of more than 10 million in an area smaller than the state of Maryland. Rwanda is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 166 out of 187 countries listed in the U.N. Development Program's Human Development Index. As if it didn’t have enough challenges to overcome, the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsis resulted in a massive loss of health professionals and the collapse of health infrastructure. The prevalence of AIDS in Rwanda today is in part, a consequence of the genocide. Estimates vary, but it is believed that between 8 and 13 percent of the population is infected with HIV.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rwanda faces an acute shortage of medical personnel, with only one doctor for every 18,000 people. In the rural districts where PIH is based, the shortage is even greater. When PIH began work in 2005 in two districts in southeastern Rwanda, there were an estimated 500,000 residents living there, without a single doctor. PIH’s first order of business when they began working in Rwanda, at the request of the Rwandan Ministry of Health, was to introduce quality AIDS prevention and care to these rural districts, while at the same time addressing other medical and social issues, such as the following:</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">· Malaria is a major cause of death among children and adults in the area</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">· Maternal mortality rates are high. One out of every 25 women die during childbirth, because family planning and obstetric care are unavailable in rural regions</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">· Common illnesses that can be prevented with vaccines, treated with antibiotics and survived by those who are well-nourished continue to kill thousands of Rwandan children</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">· Tuberculosis is currently the leading cause of death among Rwandans with AIDS and kills many others who are not infected with HIV</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">· Hunger and malnutrition are major contributors to many deaths and are the principal cause of death for many Rwandan toddlers</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rwanda's Inshuti Mu Buzima (IMB) Project Timeline</b> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(taken from <a href="http://www.pih.org/">www.pih.org</a>)</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2004 </b>– The Rwandan government invites PIH to reinforce the national HIV prevention and treatment program in rural areas</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2005 </b>–</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The Rwinkwavu hospital is reconstructed and reequipped (see photos below), and training begins for clinical staff and community health workers. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> HIV testing is offered, and by the end of the year, 17,000+ people have been tested and nearly 700 started antiretroviral therapy (ART). </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> 1,000+ patients visit the clinics each month and nearly 5,000 women receive prenatal counseling, 700 food packets per month are being distributed per month to HIV and TB patients and their families. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkpl4BUt75xIoXAlEjFbZVbp_MevZXmHD32DmDdswYExlTwuEoIQzmIJg5NAZrl1q1N7Rq5FaIv2AWeR5jn032Z6fkvt6UT2mkH3JLlIDq6zccccND6q3JNQEao5V8wGwJyHrbi0hwO-w/s1600/DSC04830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkpl4BUt75xIoXAlEjFbZVbp_MevZXmHD32DmDdswYExlTwuEoIQzmIJg5NAZrl1q1N7Rq5FaIv2AWeR5jn032Z6fkvt6UT2mkH3JLlIDq6zccccND6q3JNQEao5V8wGwJyHrbi0hwO-w/s200/DSC04830.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqntQZekNRrAy8qtem1eP5PPAFdOnAvt_qruHK0wmzuty-H292I_hVIh_g5yehExalLG1nfiGQy38urn-FkkVt8hQiHmKDzg6qOMAdR5qP-NwKcWIw1Mg-UTaPwJJDaKXDDdy6bfo-9PP/s1600/DSC04835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqntQZekNRrAy8qtem1eP5PPAFdOnAvt_qruHK0wmzuty-H292I_hVIh_g5yehExalLG1nfiGQy38urn-FkkVt8hQiHmKDzg6qOMAdR5qP-NwKcWIw1Mg-UTaPwJJDaKXDDdy6bfo-9PP/s200/DSC04835.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSiHEZGfGlcKzmic0uXjV_dACCrUtjvRkc1F33A3J1wz0I7lR1VClTaN743rYKkE13ASS_QD0nR77tk1D3pcT4sVrwwVk-t3VKpDV1RVfTGHrxhOGt5wfKO7LjwDqoiy_Qv0byznwTakT/s1600/DSC04828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSiHEZGfGlcKzmic0uXjV_dACCrUtjvRkc1F33A3J1wz0I7lR1VClTaN743rYKkE13ASS_QD0nR77tk1D3pcT4sVrwwVk-t3VKpDV1RVfTGHrxhOGt5wfKO7LjwDqoiy_Qv0byznwTakT/s200/DSC04828.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>2006 </b>–</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> A 30-bed pediatric center is built at Rwinkwavu Hospital (see photos above), fully renovated operating rooms open, and workers begin working in four health centers in Kirehe district, where there are an additional 350,000 people. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> 1,500+ food packages are distributed each month, and the World Food Program distributes an additional 1,000 per month. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> IMB builds more than 35 houses to support social and economic rights, pays secondary school fees for nearly 400 students, and creates skill-building workshops which provide jobs. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> At the end of 2006, 2,000 patients are enrolled in ART, 800+ community health workers are visiting patients daily to distribute and monitor medications, and a total of 91,325 patients visit IMB.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2007 </b>– </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> IMB, along with the Ministry of Health launch a rural health initiative to bring quality health care to every rural district in Rwanda. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Burera hospital is renovated, and plans for a new hospital are made. Burera is home to 400,000 people, who had previously been served by 1 doctor and no functioning hospital. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> 1,200 community health workers begin staffing the community-based model of care.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> IMB expands to a seventh site in southeastern Rwanda, and establishes chronic care clinics at all of its sites. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2008 </b>–</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> A new district hospital in Kirehe is completed </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> An agricultural training center at Rwinkwavu Hospital begins producing food for hospital patients and provides free agricultural education for parents of malnourished children and HIV/AIDS patients (see garden and sapling photos below)</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2009 </b>– </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> IMB provides training and salary support for community health nurses, supervisors and workers to care for Burera’s 400,000 people and 13 health centers </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2012 </b>– </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTWZvOoP6TDlW19OVHprydvh0D990XZ9oqg2_5r9rA3_hSP75HX-nYc2B0XE7QvK01jL9LO2vAGw2WxxoMSjGs0u_4TBQuXERHm-vln4mgxbc1aOaOmyM5s7fpnzTYds42cF-1Nw0OK9z/s1600/DSC04887.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTWZvOoP6TDlW19OVHprydvh0D990XZ9oqg2_5r9rA3_hSP75HX-nYc2B0XE7QvK01jL9LO2vAGw2WxxoMSjGs0u_4TBQuXERHm-vln4mgxbc1aOaOmyM5s7fpnzTYds42cF-1Nw0OK9z/s200/DSC04887.JPG" width="150" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWucGuVhwDZlLjnlScO5u-6UfKBDeSJfhKV5gO_SUjAsTEkN9idc_42v1C3KcWeLTYTAJkh2MGOPNO_JtA2Nhs18vSrTBOjSRHJA81tkG71neYk4f_BLpT6Dq2bvmoOZ8cKEjKOCXx4N8o/s1600/DSC04864.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWucGuVhwDZlLjnlScO5u-6UfKBDeSJfhKV5gO_SUjAsTEkN9idc_42v1C3KcWeLTYTAJkh2MGOPNO_JtA2Nhs18vSrTBOjSRHJA81tkG71neYk4f_BLpT6Dq2bvmoOZ8cKEjKOCXx4N8o/s320/DSC04864.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdUrdXrowcQl4nyLDKmaa013QW3ph_v1FimfeseDB5Y-1OtsRakLNfY9QU4w7wGYYMYbKaGQYeCt7PM2ItmUkQW-5Me6lD7yh3bwRlcngixfPQ5PStXEw_LVc6McII8ZTmhr7wE8RxNpQ/s1600/DSC04862.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdUrdXrowcQl4nyLDKmaa013QW3ph_v1FimfeseDB5Y-1OtsRakLNfY9QU4w7wGYYMYbKaGQYeCt7PM2ItmUkQW-5Me6lD7yh3bwRlcngixfPQ5PStXEw_LVc6McII8ZTmhr7wE8RxNpQ/s200/DSC04862.JPG" width="143" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">Although my visit to the PIH/IMB Rwinkwavu Hospital and training facility moved and inspired me, the part of the day that left an indelible impression on me was when I went along with PIH workers on a site visit to one of their patients, who they have been working with for over 5 years. It was there when I met the little boy (pictured above, to the left), who was featured in one of my previous blogs. This little boy’s mother faced unfathomable challenges when she returned from exile in Tanzania after the Genocide. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">PIH built her a house (pictured below), provided her with antiretroviral treatment, provided clothing for her family, along with prenatal care (she was 6 months pregnant with the little guy pictured below), and professional development skills which ultimately led to her successful agricultural business. She is now a model citizen in her rural village, welcoming less fortunate neighbors who have fewer resources into her home. I spent time in her aluminum-roofed house where she, her elderly mother and four children share three rooms, sleep on mattresses on the concrete floor (under mosquito nets), and run a small business. PIH saved this woman’s life, gave her children a mother, her mother a daughter, and rescued her from a calamitous situation. Her son ran into my arms during my visit to the home, and stood, mesmerized, staring into my eyes for most of my stay. I saw the value of PIH’s work in his eyes. Where many would have seen dirt and poverty and sadness, I saw hope and love, and a future – not just for this family, but for Rwanda as a whole. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z9bR3iQJfkW6GsgbX2M-cGkXEy6zLp5723BvX0eUhCesEvSfo7Pwb5k4b7UsbkDaBTS8kNHHkDZh8GsxJ2fodVovRpIZHfxw2ofO_4x9X5yml_3PzM83GZiFdGw6fw797AtJQXNWpn3j/s1600/DSC04874.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z9bR3iQJfkW6GsgbX2M-cGkXEy6zLp5723BvX0eUhCesEvSfo7Pwb5k4b7UsbkDaBTS8kNHHkDZh8GsxJ2fodVovRpIZHfxw2ofO_4x9X5yml_3PzM83GZiFdGw6fw797AtJQXNWpn3j/s200/DSC04874.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7p3mKWVthn56n0OaNlB5NGVA6T6Ryfhkilgvi6ec017CeTQUKHHIXoHBloOXzzUvjj6S5DujF49hWJGQ2oD48h2T-c4apOLzX_3NMifY2oHWoqs3sahNx08TXVC3kr9cjU53FjsJVpjJY/s1600/DSC04855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7p3mKWVthn56n0OaNlB5NGVA6T6Ryfhkilgvi6ec017CeTQUKHHIXoHBloOXzzUvjj6S5DujF49hWJGQ2oD48h2T-c4apOLzX_3NMifY2oHWoqs3sahNx08TXVC3kr9cjU53FjsJVpjJY/s200/DSC04855.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>In addition to Rwanda, Partners In Health works in some of the most dire parts of the world – Haiti, Lesotho, Malawi, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Kazakhstan, with additional partner projects (projects that are working to implement the PIH model across the globe) in Burundi, Guatemala, Liberia, Mali, Mexico, and Nepal. </i></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">See a featured video of PIH here: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJpZnUjtorI&feature=relmfu">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJpZnUjtorI&feature=relmfu</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For more information on Partners In Health and their projects all over the world, visit <a href="http://www.pih.org/">www.pih.org</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTq3k_VSURFA0cmtFAu7vK6PQxOZjN-aewRlWLhW9wFwVvk0TaDFGIc92xvnNWJOR1FzmmvHUS1Lc2bdJaK8RfEbp101CtOsy3FUsRaLrWS1TY276dY2Cb-JsbjnPj9dC8O_798Uy4ffeB/s1600/DSC04827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTq3k_VSURFA0cmtFAu7vK6PQxOZjN-aewRlWLhW9wFwVvk0TaDFGIc92xvnNWJOR1FzmmvHUS1Lc2bdJaK8RfEbp101CtOsy3FUsRaLrWS1TY276dY2Cb-JsbjnPj9dC8O_798Uy4ffeB/s200/DSC04827.JPG" width="197" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaz6UmumwHb02CmxM-sXrJcwbdKeaveyDFhcrWbfV6IeSxbLC2BPashMKREDmGqYrEjRmayye0Ata76jwcQlrh9ZRFkQ7slExrm_keums05FnAXZGa6wPWuIlM2Od_NjqbQk854gsCDmy9/s1600/burera-scenic-shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div></div>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-32827414083907549272012-07-06T10:04:00.007+02:002012-07-06T14:27:21.810+02:00holes in my flip book<div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">“Sometimes, when one person is missing, the whole world seems depopulated” </span><br /><br />-<span style="font-size:85%;">Alphonse de Lamartine</span></span></span></div><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">One year. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2szmmqGkegXeyXG5J4HypdkEOitWMtV_NteQ5S9c5t7tfC02vHVjag6nBFjdanduRVj8p5hWn3alfQNHk3LjCMIUByVv57uK12e_5ezVvEoh6BXER9Wr0v5Dzupd3XBccOvMFNW-I1DBI/s1600/39198_10150258045570537_4309540_a.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2szmmqGkegXeyXG5J4HypdkEOitWMtV_NteQ5S9c5t7tfC02vHVjag6nBFjdanduRVj8p5hWn3alfQNHk3LjCMIUByVv57uK12e_5ezVvEoh6BXER9Wr0v5Dzupd3XBccOvMFNW-I1DBI/s320/39198_10150258045570537_4309540_a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762004986719399090" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">One year of sadness.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">One year of tears.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">One year of unbelievable pain, in the core of my soul.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">One year of not understanding and having unanswered questions.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">One year of not being able to grasp reality.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">One year of shock.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">One year of firsts without him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">To be honest, I don’t remember a large portion of the past year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The thoughts that do come flooding through my brain revolve around that fateful day on July 2<sup>nd</sup>, 2011, and bits and pieces scattered throughout the 12 months that followed – the memorial service, planting a tree in Kurt's name at Georgia Tech, my last day at my job, moving my life into a storage unit, my dearest friend Michelle’s wedding, saying goodbye to my parents as I left for Rwanda, meeting my Rwandan “family” for the first time ... it’s like a flip book, without a complete storyline.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The grief books say that when you go through a traumatic loss, your mind shuts down and only allows you to remember snippets of life throughout the grieving process, so as to protect you from being overwhelmed all at once.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Maybe someday my flip book will be complete, maybe not. Maybe my flip book of life is meant to have a few pages missing. Maybe some memories are best left forgotten.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I imagined that after one year of firsts, the pain would lessen, the days would be filled with more joy, and the heaviness would ease.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I discovered this week that on day 357, 358, 359, and today on day 360 that the pain is still gut-wrenching, the weight of it all is oppressive, the emptiness in my heart still feels like a gaping hole, and that the days go on and continue to add up as days without my brother in this world.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yes, the tears that are shed are fewer and far between, but they still drip down my cheeks nearly every day. I don’t know exactly what I expected it to feel like after year one, but it still feels awful and raw.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I feel so far away at times from where my brother is - worlds apart.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At night, I look at the stars above, and only hope that he is close to me - closer than I can tell, and closer than I can feel. I miss the years that were taken from us, from him, from this world in which he lived.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I already miss the moments that have yet to unfold, knowing that he won’t be present – physically at my side.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I miss the things that never dawned on me as mattering.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I hear his voice and see him in my dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I imagine turning around and seeing him in life. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I wish he were here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Wherever he is, I hope he knows how much he is missed. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">If you think it can’t happen to you, it can.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We are all just one phone call away from our knees and from realizing that a new normal has begun.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">One year ago my brother was killed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One year ago my new normal began.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One year ago an article was published that shed light on the dangers of distracted driving, and on the importance of paying attention both as a driver and as a rider.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> As my dad told me when I got my driving permit, "You have to be a <span style="font-style: italic;">defensive </span>driver because although you know what you're doing behind the wheel, there are plenty of morons out there who don't." </span>I still read the article every few weeks, and would like to share it with you in case you need a reminder of why you should respect the rules of the road.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);" href="http://www.thedestinlog.com/articles/column-18392-wreckage-reminder.html">LESSONS FROM THE WRECKAGE</a>: Tragic death a potent reminder about simple rules of the road for bikers and motorists – <span style="font-style: italic;">by John Cork</span></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvS23vrrBKlX39K-BXk3AsW_44h9vBTFjfxmmJWdy6bSfzU7kzRzRTXjrgqfIyIS6xnrF_aNHliWiksqB6w4I0dwOaC17su7vCMO5v4Swzup2LAb881aovKsFUIKZXv8XdF92iT9mEh9Q/s1600/We-Are-Traffic-Bike-Sticker-%25286614%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvS23vrrBKlX39K-BXk3AsW_44h9vBTFjfxmmJWdy6bSfzU7kzRzRTXjrgqfIyIS6xnrF_aNHliWiksqB6w4I0dwOaC17su7vCMO5v4Swzup2LAb881aovKsFUIKZXv8XdF92iT9mEh9Q/s320/We-Are-Traffic-Bike-Sticker-%25286614%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762025137879289410" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" face="georgia" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-10122862308299726342012-06-29T21:34:00.000+02:002012-06-29T21:41:17.110+02:00P-Neumonia, as my dear friend Monica would call it...<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfP-pKxnZk7wtcXyNKoFuCIMSoOGmIW0CbmU9CBuLTTx8mgtDaXsNvjgWRzd-pqNPxHvbjGfokFCD9jqtWUgx78klvNVqIre7aK45TCI_qQlQfezdzqDJpOuE0FoQIQkN2E5oIQuird5B/s1600/DSC04724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfP-pKxnZk7wtcXyNKoFuCIMSoOGmIW0CbmU9CBuLTTx8mgtDaXsNvjgWRzd-pqNPxHvbjGfokFCD9jqtWUgx78klvNVqIre7aK45TCI_qQlQfezdzqDJpOuE0FoQIQkN2E5oIQuird5B/s320/DSC04724.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><i><br /></i></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><i>Flashback: July
2011</i></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Interviewer for my current position</b>: If
I may be blunt and go off the script for a moment, can I ask you what you are
afraid of because you seem to be fearless.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Me</b>: I am afraid
of not having access to Western medicine and a drugstore around the corner. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><i>Present Day: June
2012</i></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Yes, the same
fear still lives inside me and I have yet to adjust to the Rwandan medical system
or seemingly complex pharmacy protocol for purchasing over-the-counter pain or cold
relief. Recently I had my second more serious bout
with “sickness” since I arrived in Rwanda, and the frustration with being so
far away from Western medicine and my grandmother’s homemade chicken noodle
soup recipe has not ceased. I have
always been one of those people who gets SICK when I get sick, and more often
than not, I am the one who somehow picks up the random affliction that only
affects 1000 people per year (ie. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever at the beginning
of 2011). One of the downsides of
feeling under the weather here is that whatever it is that has a hold of your
system, doesn’t seem to let go for a long time.
Simple colds last weeks, coughs drag on for nearly a month, and
allergies never seem to go away. This
does not just affect me, as each of the volunteers in the Village has battled
one too many long-lasting colds, coughs, and other medical problems. I can deal with all of that, despite the long
duration, but when more serious symptoms arise, medical advice is needed, yet in short supply. Despite Rwanda being the
most densely populated African country, very few of those people are medical
doctors. On top of that, most every doctor is a general practitioner, without a specialty in any area. Case in point, Rwanda is a country with 12.5 million people, however there are only 10 Pediatricians - 10! This is a place where the sun is intense and it feels as though you are baking each time you are outside, yet there is only 1 Dermatologist. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There are common
go-to diagnoses for sickness in Rwanda.
If you are sneezing, or have a runny nose, people diagnose you with the “flu.” If you are having difficulty breathing, you
have “the asthma” (yes, they call it THE asthma). If you have a headache, you have malaria, and
if you are coughing, you have TB. Things
here are very black and white, except when they aren’t. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>Case #1</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In March, I
developed a headache which lasted many days without relief. It was dizzying and just downright
awful. Of course everyone immediately
said that I had malaria, so I went to the hospital that “white people” go to in
Kigali to seek medical advice and to get tested for malaria. What would seem to be a simple process was
anything but straightforward, and the conversation with the ER doctor went like
this: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: What seems to be the
problem?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: I have had a headache
for over 2 weeks.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: Where are you from? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: America</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: NO, WHERE?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: You mean the state? Originally I am from Ohio.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: What about your
grandparents?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: Is it going to help you
diagnose my problem if I tell you they are from Germany?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: Ah, you come from an
intelligent family.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: Is that a question? </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: Are you married?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: No</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: Why not?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: I have a headache</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: What about a
boyfriend?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: I live in Rwanda. I have been here since December, and my head
has hurt since March 18<sup>th</sup>.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: Do you have children? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: No</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: How do you feel about
pregnancy without marriage? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: Do you want to know if
I think it is right or wrong?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: mmm (Rwandan way of
saying ‘yes’ without really saying anything – sometimes it’s accompanied with a
raised eyebrow)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: It doesn’t jive with my
life, but it works for some people, and for them it is fine and I won’t judge
them.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: So you say your head
hurts?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: (sigh) Yes. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Following that riveting examination, the doctor felt my pulse, and sent me for blood work and a urinalysis. (I am still waiting for the urinalysis
results…3 months later…)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I returned to his office
several hours after the lab work, and the following transpired:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: You are sick.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: Oh? What did the
lab results show?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: Results? I don’t have
any results. But you are sweating and look tired. I will give you medicine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: It is a hot day and I
have had to walk a long distance from the lab to the pharmacy to here. That is why I am sweating and look tired.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Dr.: No, I believe you have
a fever and are sick.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Me: ok</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He then wrote me an order
for 3 prescriptions and several weeks later my headache subsided. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>Case #2</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I developed
chest pain several days ago, and with each passing day, the pressure and intensity became more and more
severe. Chest pain doesn’t fall into any
of the “usual” categories (flu, the asthma, etc.), so I caused a bit of a
conundrum among those who wanted to diagnose me within the Village. I know that the chest and lungs are quite
connected to the nervous system and emotions, so I hoped that I could attribute
it just to that, but feared it might be something more serious. I was bound and determined not to return to the
hospital for the same circus-act of an examination, so this time I went to a
private doctor at his practice. When I
entered the clinic (spelled CLINIQUE here), the nurses/lab techs were sitting
with their bare feet propped up on the sofa, watching a Rwandan soap opera, of
sorts. I almost turned and walked out,
but was encouraged to give it a chance by a colleague who said that what I was
witnessing was, “normal” in Rwanda. Normal? Right.
I could hear my mom in my head, saying, “Why the hell are you doing this
to me – living in Rwanda????” (Indeed
she said that exact phrase to me that night when I called to tell her what had
transpired. Do I know her well or what?) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This time the
doctor actually listened to me, took copious notes, truly EXAMINED me (even with
a stethoscope), and 5 minutes after his tech took lab samples, the results were
being reviewed by the doctor himself. Efficiency
and effectiveness…amazing! The bad part
was that some of the results were inconclusive, but I did find out that I don’t
have worms, and I don’t have parasites.
The doctor said that it is likely that I am trying to recover from bacterial pneumonia and that my chest pain is from musculoskeletal </span><span style="font-size: small;">bruising from all the coughing.
He put me on 2000mg of antibiotics a day, cough syrup with codeine, and
a prescription pain killer. If nothing
else, I’m more comfortable than I have been in days, and I can finally get some
sleep without squirming in pain every few hours and turning like a rotisserie, trying to get comfortable. I asked the doctor if the medicines will help
me feel better, and his response was, “I hope so. Good luck!”
I honestly don’t know what I expected him to say, so why did I even
bother? </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There are so
many medical issues here that don’t exist in America. Aside from a mosquito bite being annoying,
itchy, and red, you don’t give a bite much thought in America. Here, that simple, annoying mosquito bite
could very likely be the cause of malaria - a painful, scary, and sometimes
deadly disease. A simple cough in the
states is aggravating, but you don’t automatically think that it might be tuberculosis
if it lasts a few days longer than you hope.
I live in a whole new world over here in Rwanda, with new realities and
those realities can be a bit terrifying. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hopefully I have
had my fill of medical mysteries and curiosities in Rwanda. If nothing else, each medical experience seems
to make for a good story for everyone back home. Think of me next time you run into CVS or
Walgreen’s for some cough and cold relief, and be thankful that you have a
doctor nearby who is well trained, trustworthy, thorough, and knowledgeable. Maybe he or she wants to volunteer in
Rwanda???? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBcSAt5ImslWNM8iYOfOvCO3t0OytxlhzDMpIL9KrJ06zSl1YaU1_VUWq0tTsZyi8hS3CNReytE4uB3Ip0_C7iDpH1sO9v7bRy0s71EQEgcXvNHdt8xPsmw70Xnd-JHXOgiPcfOhDA4jo/s1600/DSC04893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBcSAt5ImslWNM8iYOfOvCO3t0OytxlhzDMpIL9KrJ06zSl1YaU1_VUWq0tTsZyi8hS3CNReytE4uB3Ip0_C7iDpH1sO9v7bRy0s71EQEgcXvNHdt8xPsmw70Xnd-JHXOgiPcfOhDA4jo/s320/DSC04893.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Favorite Picture of the Week is to the Right </b>(story coming in another blog...)<b>: </b> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Favorite Quote
of the Week</b>: “I do not understand why you are not feeling better – I prayed for
you last night.” </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Highlight of the
Week</b>: A traditional dance performance by the students at Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village to wrap up the “Restoring the Rhythm of
Life” celebration week in the Village. See a portion
of the performance in the video below:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzaLkfnqfgq7aLFt5ecQlEr-5c-_4R5kkFF5in8d6ha9YbjNGe3oQitc3HRVBoH9E4kOwd5vsfcf1CRaCoFIg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-14508728052739007282012-06-10T15:41:00.005+02:002012-06-10T19:35:22.880+02:00when a job is more than just a job<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsM42kFS3B-jXzeaY3a6a1_t8UPQ9bQ1jvWU2s9YsrRcy4awngbPVCHGmATXMHScRIQw2jid5mM-SR_fJioxE7MDSmQwLbLpY9DwGkkJEB_HG2D5EVMvDUXQ4pGe9AOeyVI8O1eiHNn_u/s1600/DSC04145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsM42kFS3B-jXzeaY3a6a1_t8UPQ9bQ1jvWU2s9YsrRcy4awngbPVCHGmATXMHScRIQw2jid5mM-SR_fJioxE7MDSmQwLbLpY9DwGkkJEB_HG2D5EVMvDUXQ4pGe9AOeyVI8O1eiHNn_u/s400/DSC04145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5752409992052899826" border="0" /></a></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style=" Georgia","serif";font-size:100%;" >There are some days when I feel like all I do on a daily basis is a “job.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Granted, I was chosen to serve in a specific position when I signed on as a year-long volunteer at Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, however since arriving here 6 months ago, I have come to realize that life here is about so much more than just a job.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Due to an influx of visiting groups and day visitors during the second term, I have only had 1 day off since May 14<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>During busy days like those over the past few weeks, I still find myself being caught off-guard by how much pleasure I reap by spending time with the Village youth.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They bring such delight into my life and bring rays of sunshine to even the darkest of days.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Their naiveté and curiosity fill me with joy, and their questions and comments make me laugh with bliss.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Here are some highlights from the past few weeks – questions/comments/conversations that have brought smiles to my face:</span></p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> 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Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" >M: What do you call a head with no hair?</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Me: (smiling) Bald</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" >M: BALD?! </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Me: (laughing) Yes, bald</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">M: You must spell it for me</span>.</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Me: B-A-L-D</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" >M: So I can tell that man that he is bald?</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Me: (laughing) No, I wouldn’t suggest going up to anyone and commenting on them being bald</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >_________________________<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style=" Georgia","serif";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> 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mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-size:100%;" >H: You know the Prince of England’s son who just got married?</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Me: Prince Charles’ son William? Yes, he married Kate</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"> <span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-size:100%;" >H: Yes, him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You are as beautiful as Kate</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Me: (Laughing in amusement) Wow, thank you very much. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You are also very beautiful</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">H: Yes, I know I am beautiful. But you do look like that girl Kate. You just need to shower and put on a smart dress. Then you need to do your hair, not like it is now, but do it nicely and put on some makeup and jewelry. You will look just like her. But you have a bigger belly than she does</span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"> </span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Me: (heartily laughing) Yes, she is very thin</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style=" Georgia","serif"; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">H: Yes I think if you do that (shower, do my hair and put on a smart dress), you will find a man who is as handsome as you are beautiful.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">I cannot wait for you to meet him and introduce him to me!</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Me: Neither can I!</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; text-align: 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</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:100%;" >I: When I was in America [at the <a href="http://journals.eventjournal.com/view_custom.php?journal_id=382&id=29812">StandUp benefi</a><a href="http://journals.eventjournal.com/view_custom.php?journal_id=382&id=29812">t in NYC</a> for Agahozo], do you want to know what I found surprising?</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Me: I would love to hear about your trip!</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:100%;" >I: The beggars on the street</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Me: What about them surprised you?</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:100%;" >I: I thought everyone in America had money, food, clothes, a home, and a family </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Me: America is not all that different from Rwanda in that there are many classes of people – very rich with a lot of money, a middle class, and then poor people, some of whom do not have houses or clothes or food to eat</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:100%;" >I: Yes I see.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>America is not all that different.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am glad I got to visit America, but I was very happy to come back to Rwanda</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Me: This is your home, so that is understandable</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:100%;" >I: Yes, Rwanda is my home and although I liked America, it is not Rwanda</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" 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mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);font-size:100%;" >C: What are you doing now? </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Me: I am going home to go to bed.</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);font-size:100%;" >C: Bed? It is only 10:30pm. This is the time babies go to bed. First you eat like a baby (b/c I apparently don’t eat enough at each meal) and should use a spoon to eat because that is what babies use. Now you are going to bed like a baby.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What are you, a baby?</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Georgia","serif";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">Me: (laughing) No, I’m old and tired.</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal; text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >_________________________</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="Georgia","serif";font-size:100%;" >When I meet with visitors to the Village, I often mention how magical this place is and how each and every person here is truly exceptional in so many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the middle of a developing country, filled with so much darkness from its past, Agahozo is filled with so much joy, positivity, thankfulness, and hope.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I came here to do a “job” and to take a year for myself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What I have found is that my job extends far beyond what my position description reads – it extends into the student body, staff and faculty realm – I am a part of the Agahozo community and family.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am one of the pieces of the puzzle here, and although I can see how my presence is having a positive affect on the students here, I have also come to realize and accept that their presence in my life is having an immensely significant and encouraging influence over me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >_________________________</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="Georgia","serif";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other Enjoyable Bits:</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Most enjoyable event of the week</span>: Sitting in the stands, cheering on the boy’s basketball team as they took on the #1 Club Team in Rwanda and played men who were 3x their size and twice as old!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The ASYV boys were fantastic!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I never had so much fun at a sporting event!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Proud moment of the week</span>: Sitting and watching my household of girls debate whether a single-sex or mixed-sex school was more conducive to learning.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They were incredible analytical and critical thinkers!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Master debaters </span><span style="font-size:100%;">:)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beautiful moment of the week</span>: Standing outside one of the volunteer houses, looking up into the sky as the sun was setting, and seeing a rainbow develop…it was magnificent!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="Georgia","serif";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Favorite meal of the week</span>: a peanut butter & jelly sandwich…something about it calms me and comforts me in a way I can't quite explain.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think it takes me back to a state of childhood happiness.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <div style="text-align: center;"></div>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-78354750481134819312012-05-21T14:06:00.000+02:002012-05-21T17:28:42.410+02:00Q&A Time!<span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoT9_8y4eYzIFSFUQdRnsuP43-6RiMJFds1zp4lxEbQTveR-rEOARA5MmPTwAWBPnmKBOjPrsrLRWTRaWT5k-_I-UK1Bmn4cmS7WkOPPDj3ZOnhZT7kwbO2SB_xFXbXCY9d9Ke5ioqy3l/s1600/DSC03879.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoT9_8y4eYzIFSFUQdRnsuP43-6RiMJFds1zp4lxEbQTveR-rEOARA5MmPTwAWBPnmKBOjPrsrLRWTRaWT5k-_I-UK1Bmn4cmS7WkOPPDj3ZOnhZT7kwbO2SB_xFXbXCY9d9Ke5ioqy3l/s320/DSC03879.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742370547148426418" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">One year ago today, I walked across the Lehigh University Commencement stage for the third time. I made a wish that day that I would be afforded the opportunity to live and work in sub-Saharan Africa, and low and behold, here I am! </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br />W</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">henever I speak with someone outside the confines of the Rwandan border, I often get asked a lot of questions about my life in Rwanda.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What is it like? Have you joined a tribe? How many white people are there? What do you do? <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>… The questions are endless.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Within Rwanda, the questions I get asked are quite a bit different.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The first question I ALWAYS get is, “How do you see Rwanda.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I hate that question.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When I was first asked it, I didn’t quite understand what the person wanted to know from me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After learning about the culture, I discovered that a positive and/or naïve answer is always a good answer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“It’s very beautiful, with such vibrant colors across its many hills” was a common response from me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now I simply prefer not to answer it and encourage the inquirer to rephrase their question, or ask me something a bit more specific.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A few months into my stint, I turned the question around and asked Rwandans how they see Rwanda.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They all seem stymied and stupefied as to why I would ask them such a question.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I suppose I feel strongly about the being able to answer a question if you are going to ask it to someone else. As for other questions I generally hear from Rwandans, well they <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>often relate to Obama, my knowledge of the Literati Movement, how much something I have costs, what I do career-wise in America, what color we wear to funerals, and what I appreciate about Rwanda. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Now it’s time for some answers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u>First things first – the questions from abroad:</u></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">What is it like? </b></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Climate: Currently, it’s rainy and damp, as the rainy season comes to a close.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Drying clothes is a bear, and generally takes up to 5 days.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Within those 5 days, you have to make sure you get fresh air circulating around your damp clothes so they don’t start to smell like mildew.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There are seasons, and I’ve experienced 2 of them – the short dry and the long rain.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Next up: the long dry, where I am told all the lush, green vegetation turns brown, the sky doesn’t even appear blue, and the dust is unbearable.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ahhh, sounds enticing…can’t wait!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Race: I stick out like a sore thumb, but honestly don’t notice my skin color within the confines of the Village.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As soon as I step foot outside the walls of the Village however, I feel like a foreigner and I am quickly reminded that being white is something of an anomaly around here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Little kids follow me like I’m Forrest Gump, people touch me to see if my skin color will wipe off, people stare, laugh, giggle with delight, and my freckles are routinely scrutinized and regarded as a disease (I tell them I’ve eaten too many beans and the beans have made my skin spot).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">People: I have found that Rwandan people are generally low-key and keep to themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The people in the cities are a bit pushy, and if I’m trying to buy something, whether it’s a cabbage or a moto ride, the price will nearly double at first go…then I negotiate in Kinyarwanda and they realize I’m not such a foreigner, and after they laugh, they usually bargain with me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Although unassuming, Rwandan people are incredibly observant.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They will notice a pillow crease on your cheek and know that you woke from a nap 10 minutes prior.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They will look into your eyes and know when you are tired.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They will study every facet of every person (especially outsiders) and note minute details about that person, down to chipped nail polish on one of your toes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They detect and take in EVERYTHING.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Safety: Do I feel safe? The short answer is yes, without a doubt. The Village operates in a bit of a bubble, but even outside the fenced-in area, I feel safe. After adapting to the sight of people caring around machetes and other sharp objects out in the open, and military and police officials carrying machine guns along the side of the road, my guard droped a bit. Even after becoming accustomed to that which would not be "normal" in America, I feel as though I am hyper-aware of my surroundings and quite focused on staying in the loop with the news regarding any recent grenade attacks, as well as the uprisings in Congo.<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Country:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Rwanda is the size of the state of Maryland in America.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The country itself is incredibly forested, very hilly, and blanketed with<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>many lakes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All but a handful of roads are nicely paved, most places have electricity, and nearly the whole country has access to the internet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Given all of those advancements however, it is still uncanny to me that most of the country does not have easy access to clean, drinkable water.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Indoor plumbing is hard to find, and hot water is unimaginable in many parts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Have I Joined A Tribe?</b> – Short answer, no.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There actually aren’t really “tribes” in Rwanda, which is unlike neighboring countries like Tanzania and Uganda.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After the Genocide Against the Tutsi People in 1994, there was a strong movement toward a unified Rwanda.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>People here are Rwandan.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am American. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">How Many White People Are There?</b> – Short answer, not many in comparison to how many people are not white.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In my Village, there are 9 of us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the neighboring town of Rubona, there are zero (although supposedly there used to be, and may still be a white Peace Corps Volunteer…tbd).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In Kigali, there are many more white people, but I have no idea how many.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>100? 200?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the grand scheme of things, in a country with over 11 million people, there still aren’t many.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">What Do You Do?</b> – My title is International Coordinator, but my job encompasses many things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My position description has the following excerpt</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 1in 10pt; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The International Coordinator (IC) serves as the link between the Village, the New York office, and most visitors. He or she will give tours and arrange daily schedules of activities for visitors passing through. The IC will coordinate with appropriate staff within the Village and collaborate with staff-members in the New York office to plan and facilitate short-term service trips from ten days to two weeks. This may include creating and justifying budgets, creating or revising itineraries, communicating with trip leaders, making logistical arrangements, and acting as the primary host for visiting groups. The IC should be prepared to create and conduct educational sessions and facilitate debriefing meetings. Finally, the IC will oversee the Kigali House and the Village guesthouses and the preparation of rooms for visitors. The International Coordinator will conduct all duties with an eye toward creating opportunities for Village youth to participate as part of vocational training in hospitality studies.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">In addition to the above-mentioned duties, I also serve as co-Director of the Guest Club, which is consists of 34 Senior 5 and Senior 6 (11<sup>th</sup> and 12<sup>th</sup> grade) students who serve as Ambassadors for the Youth Village and help make each guest and visitor experience special and truly memorable.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Aside from my “position,” I am also a cousin to 16 first-year students.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I serve in essence as a big sister to them, and you can often find me eating meals with them, helping them with homework, attending family meetings with them, and just offering them a hand to hold as we walk through the Village.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u>Questions from Rwandans:</u></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Do You Like Obama?</b> – Short Answer: Personally, I think he seems like a pretty easy-going, intelligent guy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I end the conversation there because it’s never a good idea to enter into political debates when abroad.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I like to stay nice and neutral <span style="mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-">:)<br /></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">How Much Do Those Shoes Cost?</b> – Easy Answer: I got them as a gift. As of yet, nobody has noticed that everything I brought with me was a “gift.” </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">What Do You Do For Your Career?</b> – First, I laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then I say, “I currently volunteer for a living.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That stumped the passport official last time I entered the country, and many people don’t quite know how to react.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> I DO NOT say that if I am on public transportation, as most Rwandans do not understand the notion of walking away from a career to earn $0, no matter if you are helping the world or not. </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">What Will You Do When Your Year of Service Is Over? – </b>Oh please, you didn’t think I was going to divulge that information via my blog, did you?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You’ll just have to wait and see…December is just around the corner.<span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">What Do You Know About The Illuminati?</b> - Before I came to Rwanda, I had no idea what the Illuminati referred to, and quite honestly I am still a bit mystified by both the concept and the fact that everyone here talks about it. What is it you ask? It has something to do with select members of the Hollywood elite, and their supposed plan to take over the world. Google it.<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">What Color Do You Wear At Funerals?</b> – Death is omnipresent in this country, and that has been difficult for me to digest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I suppose that is the logical reason why this topic often arises during conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>People wear the color purple here to commemorate the Genocide, so my girls were a little surprised and perplexed when I told them that black is the common color to wear during funerals in America.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When they asked me why, I simply said that black depicts how you feel inside when someone you love dies – you feel like you’ve been swallowed up into a big, black hole.</span></p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><b style="">What Are the Biggest Challenges Living in Rwanda? </b>-<br /></span><ul style="font-family:georgia;"><li><span style="font-size:100%;">No vacuum, yet endless amounts of dust and dirt</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Cold showers on cold nights</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">The language - kinyarwanda is NOT easy to learn<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">The lack of time management (if a meeting is to begin at 8am, it will likely start between 10 and 10:30am)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Miscommunication, or lack of communication altogether</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">The lack of protein and nutrients in my diet</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">The lack of silence. Although Rwandans speak very softly to one another and to me, when they are on the phone, it's as if they are yelling to their friend across the country. That coupled with their inability to close doors quietly makes for a very noisy living environment.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Not being able to sleep in, as the country wakes up when the sun wakes up, meaning 6am. Cue loud cell phone conversations and the slamming of doors :)<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Being so far away from family and friends...there are days when it is gut-wrenching<br /></span></li></ul> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">What Do You Appreciate About Rwanda?</b> – This is a newer question that I was asked just a few weeks ago at dinner, and I have heard it a few times since (I’m guessing since I’ve been here nearly 6 months, by now I should appreciate <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">something</i>).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After pausing for a few minutes, the following came to mind: </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span>Within the Village, I appreciate the fact that despite the absence of rules and regulations, things run with such order and without incident.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With 500 15-22 year olds living, studying and playing within the same shared space, you’d think that that would be a recipe for a disaster – but it’s not.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For example: the doors to each house in the Village (including mine) don’t lock, and yet there is never a problem with people invading others’ privacy; <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>500+ of us eat at the same time three times each day and there are never any incidences of misbehavior or insubordination (ie. food fights, wasting of food, being aggressive with serving the food, etc.); shared space is respected and if there are a limited number of soccer balls, those not playing will wait their turn.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is an incredible system where the students hold each other accountable, call each other out when they see someone not respecting the core values of the Village, appreciate the opportunity they have before them at the Village, and take advantage of everything the Village has to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span>I appreciate the aspect of sharing that is alive and well in the Rwandan culture.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In America, so often people are selfish and take ownership of what they have.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What is mine is mine” so to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In Rwanda, it’s the opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What one person is wearing today will gladly be given to another to wear another day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The same rule applies for shoes, notebooks, jewelry … everything.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nothing belongs to just one person.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everything is shared, and it’s lovely to see!</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span>I appreciate the concept of being inquisitive.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>People here want to know about the world outside of the Rwandan bubble.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is so refreshing to share my worldly experiences with others and paint a picture of what it is like on the “outside.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span>I appreciate the Village students’ desire to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There is such a thirst for knowledge and longing to expand their knowledge-base.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They realize that they are the future of their country, and they are in control of making their futures brighter.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They want to know everything and anything, and it is so delightful and inspirational. </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span>I appreciate the simplicity of life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Seeing a child gleefully playing with an old, rubber tire and rolling it down the street with a stick makes me smile.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Life is tough here, there is no question, but there is joy in the simple things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There is time to just sit in peace and read a book.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The outside noise of the developed world doesn’t cloud your mind here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don’t get me wrong, I read the news from 3 different sources each morning online, but without tv or radio, without a car or bicycle, things slow down and suddenly your mind gets less overwhelmed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span>I appreciate the fact that I walk 4 miles once or twice a week to get a cabbage, a bunch of bananas, a bowl of tomatoes, and a loaf of bread.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you would have told me that I would be doing that without complaint a year ago, I would have scoffed at the notion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now, it’s just part of what I do.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I mostly appreciate the small things - one of the students holding my hand as we walk through the Village; a student putting her head on my shoulder during a movie; a student inviting me to watch his class presentation; a student sharing his personal Genocide story; a closed-off student opening up and engaging me in conversation for the first time; a student asking me to help him get into University; a student telling me that she thinks that "the sun has gone and died" because it's been cloudy and rainy for so many days in a row ... these are what keep me going and what get me out of bed each day. The students are what make this Village magical.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I sat in the dining hall the other day thinking about how I have just under 6 months left to my contract. It really made me appreciate that I have this year.<br /><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Now that I’ve provided you with a few Q&As, it’s your turn.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What questions do you have for me?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>C’mon, don’t be shy <span style="mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-">:)</span></span> </p>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-48899932983153110622012-05-09T09:18:00.007+02:002012-05-14T14:05:20.745+02:00To All The Women Who Are Mothers<span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqgvghDaAjzYl1rA01a_6ZC7IZo8W789sEXOQ2IQZJXEHU685jPvj-JOfC4kkJKCXs7MMT0CfnyOb_0FQ3GbudakvGLvXYZOF0NKmKaZ_X0mgbEu4ucofCBzm5LkqFOxdZx0TbHZpC_XK/s1600/IMG_1863.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqgvghDaAjzYl1rA01a_6ZC7IZo8W789sEXOQ2IQZJXEHU685jPvj-JOfC4kkJKCXs7MMT0CfnyOb_0FQ3GbudakvGLvXYZOF0NKmKaZ_X0mgbEu4ucofCBzm5LkqFOxdZx0TbHZpC_XK/s320/IMG_1863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742358699382733330" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The following is a post that I wrote as a favor to a friend, who is a contributing blogger on the website www.newbymom.com</span><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In honor of Mother's Day and all of the amazing mothers out there, I decided to post it to my own blog, as it discusses what it means to be a Mama in Rwanda. 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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Just over 5 months ago, I left my loving family and comfortable lifestyle and moved to Rwanda.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I arrived without any expectations, hopes, or notions of grandeur.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I assumed that I would learn a lot about myself, a bit about the culture, and other random tidbits of knowledge along the way, but I never imagined that I would be exposed to so many lessons each and every day; specifically lessons about family, love, and the role of the Mama.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I live in a Youth Village in rural Rwanda, which is a model learning and living environment for 500 of the country’s most vulnerable and orphaned 15-22 year old kids.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Each entering student is immediately assigned to a family of 16 students (brothers or sisters, depending on sex), complete with a big brother/sister, an international long-term volunteer who serves the role of cousin, and a Mama.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The Mamas in the Village have families of their own outside of the Village, and many of them have already raised their fare-share of children.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">They have each chosen to sign on for a 4+ year contract to raise 16 more children, parent them, love them, and teach them all the precious life lessons and values that every child in this world needs.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">For many of the students, this family structure is the first that they have known, and the safety, security, and stability it provides is the first building block in helping the students heal from the break in their past.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">All of the students are traumatized from one degree to another, and each has a past from which they need to heal.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The Youth Village provides an environment whereby they can first focus on healing themselves, all while working on restoring the rhythm of life, then focus on healing the world.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Although there are 32 separate and distinct families in the Village, as a whole, the Youth Village is a family in its own right and everyone teaches and learns from each other.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > <span style="font-style: italic;">Everyone </span>in the Village has a role when it comes to raising and teaching the kids who live here - even the security guards, the cooks, and the maintenance men.<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">What does it mean to be a Mama in Rwanda?</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">In a country still healing from an ethnic divide that caused a genocide against the Tutsi just over 18 years ago, being a Mama goes well beyond blood lines and crosses over into what it means to be Rwandan.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">In 1994, after 100 days of violence, estimates tell that 1 million people were killed, and nearly 300,000 orphaned children were left to fend for themselves.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Traditional nuclear families were destroyed in a matter of minutes, and the familial structure that is so familiar to so many of us no longer existed.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The entire landscape of the country changed in less than 4 months, and instantly Rwanda was faced with a daunting challenge.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Who was going to take ownership of the orphaned children and devise a plan to parent them, raise them, teach them, and create responsible citizens? </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Being a Mama in Rwanda means doing what you would hope others would do for your children if you were unable to care for them yourself. It means not faulting the children for their parents’ shortcomings or faults, looking beyond the past and focusing on the present and the future. </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">It means providing the most basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, love) to those most vulnerable and in need, loving them as though you birthed them, and calling them your children while allowing them to call you mommy.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">It means taking in children off the street, paying to educate children who are not your own, and serving as a parent even when you have 9 of your own children to feed, house, and love.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">In speaking with Rwandans, I have heard time and time again that it is a Rwandan belief that all the children in Rwanda belong to the Rwandan people and therefore they are everyone’s responsibility.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">When so many countries turned their backs on Rwanda when the country cried out for help, the citizens learned to depend on one another and take care of one another. They learned not to depend on others because that assistance may never come to fruition. The children are the future of this developing country, and without a systemic plan in place to care about, educate, and provide for the children, there is no hope for a positive, progressive, and developing future for the country.</span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">A dear friend of mine said to me a few months ago that it looks like I beat her to being a mother, as it seems that I am "mothering" many Rwandan children in my role here in the Village. Although I don't feel like a mother per se, I have to admit that it is so rewarding to be a part of so many children's healing process, growth, and development. It goes above and beyond any hopes that I had for my role in the Village, and it fills me with joy each and every day.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">To all of the Mothers out there, in Rwanda and beyond, THANK YOU for all that you do!</span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><br style="font-family: georgia;"></span>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-80995586587816543322012-04-23T13:11:00.000+02:002012-04-23T13:11:25.004+02:00Shifting the Mood Through a Fresh Perspective<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This week will mark my 5th month living in Rwanda. In exchange for 4+ months of service, I was awarded time away, so I spent 1 week traveling throughout Rwanda with a dear friend</span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslPcsOJlL1wvV5vYJUSWzcqdSKk0LAOIxSMMDbenQURk0wHuINzrodWrK_Q317agTFCxDU3HIoAaZ-w6bMaunbHS6dXvNvpYDkMUBw3eplfdTEojZyMUfomETyLlN3gClBoJ9XqqSRn0O/s1600/DSC04182.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslPcsOJlL1wvV5vYJUSWzcqdSKk0LAOIxSMMDbenQURk0wHuINzrodWrK_Q317agTFCxDU3HIoAaZ-w6bMaunbHS6dXvNvpYDkMUBw3eplfdTEojZyMUfomETyLlN3gClBoJ9XqqSRn0O/s320/DSC04182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734545628562644562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> from home, and 2 weeks out of the country entirely. I have to honestly admit that I was ready to fly away and get a fresh perspective (and a hot shower), so the time away was a welcome change. I think it is so important to step away from our place in this world every now and again in order to recharge and reawaken our senses. We all have a tendency to become a bit stagnant when we are idle for too long, especially when we are so absorbed in our own community. My post in Rwanda is unique in that I live, play, and work in the same small community, so I am not often awarded the opportunity to step out of my little bubble.</span><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">While away, I really focused on thinking about the following:</span><br style="font-family: georgia;"></span><ul style="font-family: georgia;"><li><span style="font-size:100%;">What are my sources of strength?</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">What are my sources of inspiration?</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">What are my sources of satisfaction?</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The past few months have awarded me with an incredible gift of time. I have time to sit and reflect, to think, to analyze, and to dream. I have finally been able to slow my life down and really try to be present and live in the moment. Although life in Rwanda is filled with many challenges, both new and familiar from past experiences and relationships, I really want to come to appreciate and enjoy the environment I am in for the time being. We all face hardships and frustrations no matter where we are, but we are also surrounded by positivity and wonderful opportunities for change and improvement. My time away helped me not only appreciate what existed outside my bubble, but also helped me reorient my negative feelings toward certain aspects in Rwanda and re-frame them as opportunities for improvement, and opportunities for learning.</span><br style="font-family: georgia;"><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My first week out of the country was spent in Scotland with my beloved parents. </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOu7r_WT75Z5LRmr420mbu6jOYAmMguEg-8b-vvUzIXVAXzpmvfkIA0PH0BKSAk0qkjJaSsktxJ3KNnFpF_R9_dEEbMCbNusGjvkOAS3T5YzZiZXcgnY_vnBP9i0HqsRA0tRUS-7LkBi8/s1600/DSC04312.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 83px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOu7r_WT75Z5LRmr420mbu6jOYAmMguEg-8b-vvUzIXVAXzpmvfkIA0PH0BKSAk0qkjJaSsktxJ3KNnFpF_R9_dEEbMCbNusGjvkOAS3T5YzZiZXcgnY_vnBP9i0HqsRA0tRUS-7LkBi8/s320/DSC04312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734535704505247762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">Although an occasional Skype conversation or the near-daily phone conversations keep us connected, nothing soothes the heart like a physical hug, and nothing convinces mom and dad that I am not starving to death or rotting from mosquito bites </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDtaUUN3FVoZlzYDMTZF4lye7_vRppWLj04UyqgHb6EYY_XIokO4Dd98thk7bxUJs7RTR_CJXwCenX-49uX6p0Shyphenhyphen4trqbzGx4oGkBDU21bUDMNpXhJ8KgX3mBmVoYN97dXT2dSKog_a0/s1600/DSC04220.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDtaUUN3FVoZlzYDMTZF4lye7_vRppWLj04UyqgHb6EYY_XIokO4Dd98thk7bxUJs7RTR_CJXwCenX-49uX6p0Shyphenhyphen4trqbzGx4oGkBDU21bUDMNpXhJ8KgX3mBmVoYN97dXT2dSKog_a0/s320/DSC04220.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734537580458122258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> (as you can see in the silly picture to the left, I am not) like seeing me face-to-face. This trip was so multi-faceted - it gave the 3 of us the opportunity to drive nearly 1300 miles together and see the many parts of the exceptionally beautiful country, while allowing us to enjoy each others company and have a few hearty laughs along the way. I felt like we had our first few moments of joy since my brother's death, and those segments felt so refreshing and helped my heart remember what it feels like to feel something positive.</span><br style="font-family: georgia;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVZLi6h6edOJubAhqKSjxWH0jtDv3vTISVRuQhswUs8GW5e6pKQvejqqD2ZekYrmirbxAJHC46UG3EIMwZcOJjfK7LItbqig_Dqk0Yo1lRQNZYDhFR7xaya_z3zQxpJ-tk0BopMQ86KSX/s1600/DSC04369.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVZLi6h6edOJubAhqKSjxWH0jtDv3vTISVRuQhswUs8GW5e6pKQvejqqD2ZekYrmirbxAJHC46UG3EIMwZcOJjfK7LItbqig_Dqk0Yo1lRQNZYDhFR7xaya_z3zQxpJ-tk0BopMQ86KSX/s320/DSC04369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734527914474194978" border="0" /></a><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My second week away was spent in Israel. </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihPAJmLzfwBfoV70bJbonD_sDlXHLtBRaQPOqIl9_wwrbQnxCLr0kwMVr2sVkWzOVLZnCYzyadkuzZufbnzSAP-1cuty26vv6H7Au2ca1rdm-y_tizw3V5v2YRzDLr83AuV6oyAYkOVJE/s1600/DSC04538.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 81px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihPAJmLzfwBfoV70bJbonD_sDlXHLtBRaQPOqIl9_wwrbQnxCLr0kwMVr2sVkWzOVLZnCYzyadkuzZufbnzSAP-1cuty26vv6H7Au2ca1rdm-y_tizw3V5v2YRzDLr83AuV6oyAYkOVJE/s320/DSC04538.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734539718016587666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">Although I was raised Jewish, I am the first in my family to travel to Israel, and that in itself made the trip special. Predominantly, I went to attend the mid-year seminar for all of the JSC Fellows, sponsored by the Joint Distribution Committee, the organization which funds my position in Rwanda. Above all, the most amazing part of the seminar was meeting the other Fellows, hearing about their experiences (positive and challenging), and having amazing conversations about our posts around the world. Although we are so isolated in so many ways, with respect to physical location, specific roles and responsibilities, etc., we are also so very interconnected with one another, which is quite comforting. Over the course of 4 days, I made amazing connections with people and picked up invaluable insight and wisdom which will undoubtedly help me throughout the remainder of my post, as well as through the years ahead. </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNerrDPvz7e7TAzllUFnaFoWpkT8OBgL1lTcPPd7QhD5YjZ_I_yFw7fj28dRIJayEKNOfL4HMV9WXpiYEBeAxaem8V_i31FoebBtp_WAjryj5o7AIej1-Ga_GhBlcw_ttEVLBc7GzHEJlQ/s1600/DSC04544.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNerrDPvz7e7TAzllUFnaFoWpkT8OBgL1lTcPPd7QhD5YjZ_I_yFw7fj28dRIJayEKNOfL4HMV9WXpiYEBeAxaem8V_i31FoebBtp_WAjryj5o7AIej1-Ga_GhBlcw_ttEVLBc7GzHEJlQ/s320/DSC04544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734529961132695218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A segment that I found interesting, as it intertwines with my reasons for taking a year away to live in Rwanda, and which I would like to share is the following about INDIVIDUAL SUSTAINABILITY.</span><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The notion is to </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >maintain the balance, pacing, and efficiency of our energy to sustain us over our lifetime of service</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">. Areas of focus include:</span><br style="font-family: georgia;"></span><ul style="font-family: georgia;"><li><span style="font-size:100%;">general health</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">spiritual sense of being (personal grounding)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">heart and emotions</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">sense of place</span></li></ul><p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Balance has always been something I have struggled with, and is something that I have fervently worked on for the past 4+ years, so this particular topic and discussion was important for me, as it reminded me of the importance of not getting lost in any one aspect of my life. It reminded me that the recipe for success and happiness is to truly listen to myself internally and to be in touch with what my mind, body, and spirit tell me.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Other take-aways from the seminar, (which can help all of us) include:</span></p><ul style="font-family: georgia;"><li><span style="font-size:100%;"> the idea of focusing on personal and professional strengths, and seeing how each of us can move them from </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" > good </span><span style="font-size:100%;">to </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >great</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">keeping in mind that words create worlds</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">remembering that what we study grows<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">reminding ourselves that negativity breeds negativity, so there is a need to always be cognizant of the energy that surrounds us </span></li></ul><p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">All of the lessons circle back conveniently to the three bullets that I wanted to focus on while I was away - the idea of strength, inspiration, and satisfaction. These are the driving forces behind how and why I live my life.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">One final note - While in Israel, I also had the amazing opportunity to meet with Ralph Goldman, Honorary Executive VP of the Joint Distribution Committee. When it came time to ask the nearly-100 year old man questions, one stood out to me. I asked Mr. Goldman to share the best piece of advice he has ever received. I will finish this post by sharing his piece of advice, which I believe can live within each of us. After a bit of a diatribe and references to his time as Ben-Gurion's (Israel's first Prime Minister) right-hand man, he told me that he has always tried to learn from everyone he has encountered, but that the following still resonates with him,<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Decide what your role is and work toward that, but do the exception to the rule once in a while to remind yourself that you are alive. </span></p>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-67952757363931504012012-03-21T20:56:00.000+02:002012-03-21T11:56:46.994+02:00leave this world better than how you found it<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4857TjZ12-FEhBjzWBQmsP5-diwldp4mXxmY-xeCJYpPTMFHDWIi4u8zdd5udX_BsOr941bnFUIAxjwIn-e9v45aNO5u70aa48LwsH5qwuybpEi4ST_KzCL-SUEUUdlfznsCxTPd8rgf/s1600/Kurt+in+field.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4857TjZ12-FEhBjzWBQmsP5-diwldp4mXxmY-xeCJYpPTMFHDWIi4u8zdd5udX_BsOr941bnFUIAxjwIn-e9v45aNO5u70aa48LwsH5qwuybpEi4ST_KzCL-SUEUUdlfznsCxTPd8rgf/s400/Kurt+in+field.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722277706984526034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">My brother Kurt was a brilliant research scientist who lived life full-force, without regret, and without hesitation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He seized every opportunity to do all he could to make a positive difference in his life, and positively impact those he loved, as well as those he had yet to meet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He was the perfect combination of strength and bravery, mixed with love and emotion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He was a mama’s boy in the best way possible, a guy’s guy, his wife’s best friend, and his sister’s fearless protector.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He was what so many twice his age have yet to achieve.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He was balanced and level-headed, a harder worker than anyone I have ever met, and a man who loved with all of his heart and soul.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He lived his life well, full of passion, and lived it to the fullest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He lived his life right, and when it came time for his life to end, it ended by him being who he was - an athletic outdoor enthusiast.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I am publishing this post on what would have been my brother Kurt’s 34<sup>th</sup> birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For those close to him, there will always be a hollow cavity of emptiness that can never be filled now that we live in a world without him. One of his mentors whom I have built a friendship with said to me the other day that he sees that I have come to terms with acknowledging that void in the way that I am “making transformative changes in my own life, that in turn are making measurable differences for others.” He went on to say that he can “hardly think of a better or more appropriate way to ensure that all of the good things that Kurt embodied continue to influence the world in a positive way,” in reference to the work I am currently doing in Rwanda. Kurt left the world far too early - nobody should be deprived of reaching the age of 34, but I have to agree with his mentor that when Kurt left this world, it was a little bit better than how he found it. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">His mentor said that, “too many people who live many more years than Kurt did, cannot make the same claim.”</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Kurt made this world better through the work he did, and because of the person he was.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His mentor acknowledged that now, inspired by that, I am most certainly doing the same.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoAROQZ5Cnw6_5gbKojHj53pPToDR1wglgqHD7iCuNsX7P9RHNwf61Vc2FTfm7ddxAU0F3TbB9L3d6TXZJkuVlxxuYabYL4wRqp_tUoiGviyXx7H_KjuzbDwDwZqa37DfFmc68F-XBKKc/s1600/232323232%25257Ffp+%25285%2529nu%253D3244%25295%25286%2529372%2529WSNRCG%253D34%253B66+54338nu0mrj.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoAROQZ5Cnw6_5gbKojHj53pPToDR1wglgqHD7iCuNsX7P9RHNwf61Vc2FTfm7ddxAU0F3TbB9L3d6TXZJkuVlxxuYabYL4wRqp_tUoiGviyXx7H_KjuzbDwDwZqa37DfFmc68F-XBKKc/s320/232323232%25257Ffp+%25285%2529nu%253D3244%25295%25286%2529372%2529WSNRCG%253D34%253B66+54338nu0mrj.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722282192861809090" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><span style="font-size:100%;">The point of this post is simple – each of us needs to be cognizant of our ability to positively impact the world around us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Inspired by the messages conveyed to me in my exchange with Kurt’s mentor, coupled with the some of the inspiration that I have found here in Rwanda, I realize that each of us has the opportunity to make this world better than when we found it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To take that sentiment a step further, I would dare to say that not only do we have the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">opportunity</i>, but each of us has an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">obligation</i> to make this world better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Each of us has a certain immeasurable power, a talent, the ability to inspire, and the means to make a positive impact.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If we use our gifts wisely, as a collective whole, we can have a considerable influence.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Think of the ripple effect and how even just one small gesture, one small act of kindness can have a monumental effect on an individual, a group, a community, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is amazing how a smile can brighten the darkest of days, how a soft touch on someone’s arm can convey that you truly care about them, and how an uncomplicated “hello” can make someone not feel so invisible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Small actions yield large dividends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the Rwandan culture, it is considered rude to walk by someone and not acknowledge them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It does not have to be a complex conversational exchange, but a simple “muraho,” or “mwaramutse” will do just fine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The point is to acknowledge one another’s presence and existence in this world.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In addition to acknowledging peoples’ presence around you, I also urge you to recognize your feelings and express them to those you hold near and dear to your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You have likely heard it time and time before, but if you love someone, don’t hesitate to tell them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Never be too busy, too preoccupied, or too rushed to get off the phone – speak up!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A few years ago I started telling my brother that I loved him every time we spoke on the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Being the proud, strong man that he was, he always sort of scoffed at my silly exchange of words, but never failed to say, “I love you too, Boo.” <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Maybe somewhere in my capricious mind I knew that there would only be so many chances to tell Kurt “I love you,” I don’t know, but I have to say that I sure am glad I told him when I had the chance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Each time you have the opportunity to make a small, positive impact on this world through action or word, do not hesitate – do it, and do it with full gusto, full of life, full of passion, and full of meaning.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don’t waste your life, don’t waste the moments, don’t waste your love.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This week in my Village in Rwanda, the first year students chose inspirational people, after which their houses will be named.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is quite a process, involving many hours of research, debate, and discussion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everyone from Steve Jobs to Mother Theresa to Dr. Livingstone was discussed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One of the boys who is quite close to me asked what I would name my house, and who my inspirational figure would be.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Without hesitation, I said my brother Kurt.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fPe59z2ae8eeP42FkS888NjdSulMz0bRT8II9_9wnJuYs59rosfJR_SPwJ7AXLi0qSy81HQS6NAo7PNl3f0a94HH-cJA97Ymc6PgGBykvE4BcUPRRsM5w1YV1_VU_AwEwfTTazTC4apZ/s1600/232323232%25257Ffp996%2529nu%253D3244%25295%25286%2529372%2529WSNRCG%253D32%253B%253B4+3537338nu0mrj.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fPe59z2ae8eeP42FkS888NjdSulMz0bRT8II9_9wnJuYs59rosfJR_SPwJ7AXLi0qSy81HQS6NAo7PNl3f0a94HH-cJA97Ymc6PgGBykvE4BcUPRRsM5w1YV1_VU_AwEwfTTazTC4apZ/s320/232323232%25257Ffp996%2529nu%253D3244%25295%25286%2529372%2529WSNRCG%253D32%253B%253B4+3537338nu0mrj.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722285999320983650" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I have always looked up to my big brothers and fought to achieve even a slice of their success in life, which for the Frankel boys, is plentiful.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In a family full of direct, goal-oriented brothers, I am the whimsical, free spirited sister who has always chosen to take the path less traveled, and has regularly opted to create my own path through the jungle.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To think that I am even coming close to impacting the world in a similar manner to the many ways Kurt influenced his world, is breathtaking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He is my inspiration, and if you are searching for someone to emulate, someone to motivate you and give you an incentive to make a positive difference, feel free to share my inspiration and think of Kurt.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMyXMfJ5VS-TEnJ1QQABiSDSnvkpQalZfSedAJq07csD22YcpOZIjTqzyz0kw6_OzHYym0oWXqzTPprfMxbYDWhALe3FJi4WA4iOVFi8ka_6o0eJxLz9UFeQ9BwWFDhBpJaVYtsBvvxkO/s1600/232323232%25257Ffp+%25289%2529nu%253D3244%25295%25286%2529372%2529WSNRCG%253D34%253B66+%2528%253B%25287338nu0mrj.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" 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</style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">It still catches me off-guard at times when I stop and focus on the fact that I am living in Rwanda.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I feel like I have been in a bit of a daze since July, and the reality of life catches me by surprise every once in awhile when I emerge from my state of bemusement each day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The process of grieving has had me at times feeling like I am floating on a cloud, and at times feeling like I am stuck in a flimsy rowboat at sea with 20 foot swells crashing down upon me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Each day is a new adventure with respect to facing my own personal challenges, learning my job and the ways of the world in the Village and in Rwanda, and adapting to a new life in a new world.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This past week I started taking note of things that no longer seem odd or out of place, and I realized then that I have settled into my new life here and become accustomed to that which would be unusual/extraordinary/unheard of back in America.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I decided to make a list.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">You know you’ve become a “local” when the following things don't strike you as odd:</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing someone carrying a machete down the street</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing someone using a machete to cut the grass</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing bicycles used as modes of transportation for bundles of bananas and pineapples, instead of people</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">4.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing babies dangling off of the backs of mothers in the street, held on by a piece of material and nothing more </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">5.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing children play with sticks and tires as their main form of entertainment</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">6.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Being followed by gaggles of school children any time I walk anywhere outside the confines of my Village</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">7.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Cramming myself into a “bus” holding 19, when it was only meant to hold 14 </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">8.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Smelling the ripe smells of Rwanda and not thinking anything of it</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">9.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Keeping my mouth shut as I shower, so as not to ingest the tap water</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">10.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Using bottled water to clean my toothbrush each day</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">11.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Drinking tea when I feel pangs of hunger</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">12.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Using fresh mint, lemongrass, and sage to make my own tea</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">13.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing a spider the size of a tarantula on the wall and not uttering a ear-splitting scream</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">14.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Realizing that after washing clothes, they aren’t really “clean,” but being content with the fact that they are cleaner than they were</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">15.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Staying inside when it’s raining outside, just like the Rwandese do – why get wet when you can just wait it out indoors?</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">16.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing all the clothing that Americans donate worn throughout Rwanda – one man’s trash is another’s treasure, right?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m still waiting to find a t-shirt from my own personal donation bin</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">17.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing people spit on a regular occasion – watch where you walk!</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">18.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing people (kids and adults alike) clean their noses with their fingers…catch my drift? </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">19.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing people sweeping the roads and sidewalks to keep each city and town clean and free of garbage and debris…this country is immaculate!</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">20.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing little kids carrying HEAVY jerry cans full of water for miles.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m strong, but I could barely carry one across the Village grounds!</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">21.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing people patiently waiting in line at the local water well pump, waiting to fill their jerry cans to use at home</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">22.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Being told “give me your number” by nearly every Rwandan man I sit next to on the bus – they don’t ask, they order</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">23.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing more goats than dogs, more cows than horses.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There are actually only 4 horses in all of Rwanda, and I’ve actually seen them!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">24.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Seeing cows, goats, and chickens roaming freely down the roads – you better hope your bus driver has fast reflexes!</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">25.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Sitting at a local pub, realizing that the “screams” being heard are not that of a child, but a goat getting its last sound out prior to being slaughtered out back and made into brochettes for those dining.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yes, it was an AWFUL realization!</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">26.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Dressing in layers, knowing that although it’s really cold in the morning, it sure will heat up during the day and then drop in temperature again once the sun goes to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">27.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Applying sunscreen as part of a daily morning routine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It may be cloudy out, but the sun is hiding behind those clouds, cooking all those who mill about below on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">28.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Oompa-loompa feet - the dirt here is orange, so by the end of the day, my feet take on the look of an oompa-loompa.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No worries, a good scrub in the shower brings them back to a semi-normal hue.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Quite honestly, I’m not sure if I’ll ever have truly clean feet again in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">29.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span></span>Realizing that NOTHING ever goes as planned, so letting go of control and giving up the concept of having a concrete plan is a good thing<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">30.<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; 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mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Things to note from the past 2 weeks:</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Rainy season is upon us in Rwanda, so the season has changed and I wish I had more cardigans with me.</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I found that when people come up to me and start screaming Kinyarwanda at me, the closest I can imitate them and make them understand what it sounds like in my head is to recite the state song to them – "Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California…" The Kinyarwanda screaming stops and the perplexed look is right on target.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I don’t look Rwandan, so I’m a little dumbfounded as to why people think that I am fluent without asking me first.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >When the girls in my family were asked to describe me as part of an activity, among other things, they described me as, “brown.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I guess my freckles have joined together and I look brown to them, more so than white.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Amusing </span><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings;font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings;" >:)</span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Highlight: the Village Founder arrived last night and I was lucky enough to escort her into the dining hall this afternoon to see the kids for the first time this school year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Immediately, a round of applause broke out and everyone in the dining hall (all 650 people) had a look of awe on their face and a huge smile.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a breathtaking and touching moment.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One person really can change the world, one idea at a time, and Anne Heyman and this Village are prime examples of that.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Lowlight: I often wondered what would happen if I was on a moto taxi and it started to rain – would the moto park under a tree, or find some place out of the rain to pause?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nope, I found out first-hand last weekend that the moto continues on in the rain, even as the rain intensifies and it feels as though someone is pelting you with a million paint balls at once.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is not exhilarating or fun, but it was an experience I won’t soon forget.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I have received a few inquiries about sending mail to me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mail is great and makes my day!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For those of you interested in sending me snail mail of any size and making me smile, here is my address: </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Barrett Frankel</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >PO Box 7299</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Kigali, Rwanda</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >*2 things to note – 1) snail mail takes a LONG time to reach me – 3-4 weeks for an envelope, 3-4 months for a package; 2) please let me know if you do send me something so that I can have our driver check the PO Box, as he does not check it on a regular basis.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mwaramutse!</span></p>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-71608460358089240082012-02-28T12:36:00.027+02:002012-02-28T15:33:49.812+02:00Where's The Beef?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjII88Ypp1pUeL5On5z0ZCPlipTcc4-SJxDVswIDGAOcT-j86Qn3s2qpoUlJWzIThoJ_SRIlYuDn8AUoo4SQkebl6iF1BDjd-4-TQE08Zb4kZo-FXOJTbig4yqZFM472z2xVrPbTSxkPRrm/s1600/DSC03547.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjII88Ypp1pUeL5On5z0ZCPlipTcc4-SJxDVswIDGAOcT-j86Qn3s2qpoUlJWzIThoJ_SRIlYuDn8AUoo4SQkebl6iF1BDjd-4-TQE08Zb4kZo-FXOJTbig4yqZFM472z2xVrPbTSxkPRrm/s320/DSC03547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714177149806546178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I used to have a t-shirt that said “where's the beef,” based off of the Wendy’s slogan. Thank goodness I became a vegetarian years ago because there’s no beef to be shown around these woods, and therefore I had very little, if any difficulty adjusting to the vegetarian diet in the Village.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Inspired by many friends and family members inquiring about the food in Rwanda, I decided to keep a food journal for one week in order to exemplify my diet while here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After being here for nearly 3 months, I have found that there are only 2 foods I cannot stand eating.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I tried both of them, and one I will tolerate if I am really hungry (Japanese BITTER eggplant, which was actually just served at lunch), but the other I just absolutely refuse to eat (cassava bread, which is not bread at all, but can be depicted as a lump of disgustingness).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To bluntly describe it, cassava bread has the consistency of homemade play-do, minus the taste, with an added bonus – it smells like rotting feet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It really is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">that</i> disgusting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Now that I have discussed what I do not eat, it is time to enter into the world of what I do eat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Welcome to my world of food in Rwanda:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">NOTE: If you are contemplating moving to the Village for a year and you don’t like beans and/or rice and/or repetition, this is probably not the best fit for you <span style="mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings;" >:)</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Day 1:</span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Breakfast – an American “dinner roll” and porridge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The porridge is similar to cream of wheat, but a bit grainier, and it gives off the smell of burnt toast.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Honestly, I really like it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Lunch – cooked bananas, “salad” (green beans, coleslaw, cucumber), white rice, bean and carrot stew<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Dinner – white potatoes with scallions and garlic, white rice, cassava greens and bean stew</span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Day 2:</span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Breakfast – an American “dinner roll” and African Tea (known as Chai in the Western world).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Lunch –sweet potatoes with chives, hard boiled eggs, white rice, carrot and pea stew</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Dinner –cooked bananas, white rice, sauerkraut stew</span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Day 3:</span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Breakfast – an American “dinner roll” and porridge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Lunch – white potatoes, “salad,” white rice, eggplant/green bean/peanut sauce stew</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Dinner – sweet potatoes , white rice, bean and cauliflower stew</span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Day 4:</span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Breakfast – an American “dinner roll” and porridge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Lunch –cooked bananas, white rice, carrot and squash stew</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Dinner –white “Irish” potatoes, white rice, bean and carrot stew</span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Day 5:</span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Breakfast – an American “dinner roll” and porridge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Lunch –fried sweet potatoes (yummy!), white rice, cassava greens stew</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Dinner –cooked bananas, white rice, bean stew</span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Day 6:</span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Breakfast – an American “dinner roll” and porridge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Lunch – white “Irish” potatoes, green beans, white rice, bean and sauerkraut stew, </span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Dinner –cooked bananas, white rice, <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>eggplant stew</span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Day 7:</span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Breakfast – an American “dinner roll” and porridge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Lunch – cassava bread, white rice, bean stew</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Dinner – sweet potatoes, white rice, carrot stew</span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It would be unfair to lead you to believe that I eat every meal in the dining hall.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Breakfast begins at 6:15am and is far too early for me most days, so I generally opt to make oatmeal in my room, porridge in my kitchen, eat a maize cake from the local market, or have a honey and peanut butter sandwich on homemade challah, which I try to bake each week in the Village kitchen.<span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(<span style="font-size:85%;">see photo to the left</span>) </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinu7yxnsnFdtEnWO1CqQNWhGboNgrr0McEd3g-hnyWpHDNbSx5VqxBGMdzdDVfKEOJc8xxhVQ0vsbE0pG3Cq9QiYRwt_WKI0kHg5k62j-MUXdOs-so-kwCmfhlhjEcA8RPZSZUJ3_quvr/s1600/DSC03937.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinu7yxnsnFdtEnWO1CqQNWhGboNgrr0McEd3g-hnyWpHDNbSx5VqxBGMdzdDVfKEOJc8xxhVQ0vsbE0pG3Cq9QiYRwt_WKI0kHg5k62j-MUXdOs-so-kwCmfhlhjEcA8RPZSZUJ3_quvr/s200/DSC03937.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714173348291537026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">I generally eat lunch in the dining hall every single day, and o</span><span style="font-size:100%;">nce or twice a week, I make pasta with fresh, homemade tomato sauce, avocados, spices, and occasionally an egg on top.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All fresh ingredients are either purchased from the farm in the Village, or from the nearby local farmer’s market.<span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span></span>Just for your reference, breakfast is at 6:15am M-F, 7am S-S. L<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">unch is at 2pm M-F, 1pm S-S. Dinner is at 8pm M-F, 7pm S-S. </span></span></p><span style="font-size:100%;">Even though snacks are not part of Rwandan culture, I am American and can not quite kick the habit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some of my favorites include (aside from the snacks I brought from America):</span> <ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Freshly roasted peanuts (<span style="font-size:85%;">see photo below of me roasting them myself!</span>) </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbug-OgvCt7V1diy4upZv1Qb2Dq7pWS2x0pYV6yBAzilQdExgpHmAQkZXfTz6N3rraSjY_69CcATp5WbYwBMLRYworo4l-jyRrEsZWZONm7bAPvG1CoDbeOq-SDmR9tCrty0eXVA0fHTqt/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbug-OgvCt7V1diy4upZv1Qb2Dq7pWS2x0pYV6yBAzilQdExgpHmAQkZXfTz6N3rraSjY_69CcATp5WbYwBMLRYworo4l-jyRrEsZWZONm7bAPvG1CoDbeOq-SDmR9tCrty0eXVA0fHTqt/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714136159381797794" border="0" /></a></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Tea biscuits with peanut butter</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Maize cake (similar to corn bread) either plain, with peanut butter and/or with honey</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Butterscotch candies</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Amandazi <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(Rwandan fried dough) - plain, with peanut butter and/or <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>with honey</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Chapatti (Rwandan pita) – yes, with peanut butter, or plain</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Mango</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Pineapple</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Sambussas – thin pastry shell filled with potatoes and spice (<span style="font-size:85%;">see photo below</span>) </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhk2SGKznwwhnofkoXgcNE2WhOIe_otdeqnXMzwUCFhHUPTxcaVO0YZdbK8Q1i-PJP89c9j4Q0GhYr2agKKdeqAgTqyoMdW5AiJvlelXrpRvESA8RqIumixc0jOMQOFIFLxdAP1s3tF8To/s1600/index.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhk2SGKznwwhnofkoXgcNE2WhOIe_otdeqnXMzwUCFhHUPTxcaVO0YZdbK8Q1i-PJP89c9j4Q0GhYr2agKKdeqAgTqyoMdW5AiJvlelXrpRvESA8RqIumixc0jOMQOFIFLxdAP1s3tF8To/s200/index.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714168100641026514" border="0" /></a></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Avocado (with <span style="font-style: italic;">two brother’s seasoning</span> from my mom’s grocery store)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Chocolate yogurt lollipops<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>A spoonful of peanut butter…my addiction hasn’t stopped just because I moved to Africa</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Ice cream - believe it or not, there is only 1 store in all of Rwanda that makes its own ice cream - it is called Inzozi Nziza (Sweet Dreams) and is located in Butare. When I stopped there, I indulged in pineapple ice cream with fresh passion fruit topping...YUMMY!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYF-h9F5nh2Vor7wr5cZJ3aUO5FnJvFHZSn5NBmZrwhhpHtO07-BcE8e9qDs0qOXge3X0klXb-LY_StixOl2D31SeHeHcTYYF7byvZmVBtI09_SpclDlp5OgvClB8Dl1sbxM-ZrhwYkpII/s1600/DSC03878.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYF-h9F5nh2Vor7wr5cZJ3aUO5FnJvFHZSn5NBmZrwhhpHtO07-BcE8e9qDs0qOXge3X0klXb-LY_StixOl2D31SeHeHcTYYF7byvZmVBtI09_SpclDlp5OgvClB8Dl1sbxM-ZrhwYkpII/s320/DSC03878.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714171375363487730" border="0" /></a></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Although many foods that I could or would buy in America are available here, a) there isn’t much variety to choose from (ie. Skippy peanut butter is the <span style="font-style: italic;">only </span>American brand of peanut butter available) and b) imported products are EXTREMELY expensive (ie. Skippy peanut butter is $25 for a jar, cereal is over $10 a box, etc.).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some items that are disappointingly difficult or impossible to find are:</span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Dried fruit (although I just found raisins!)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Chocolate chips</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Trail mix</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Mixed nuts, or anything besides peanuts</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>A REAL salad, made with lettuce, not cabbage</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Sweet corn</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Mushrooms<br /></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Acquiring food is just different here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">If I want to cook something myself, I either have to negotiate a fair price (as soon as a white person approaches a local vendor, the price instantly doubles) at a local market (<span style="font-size:85%;">see two market photos to the left</span>), </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgso-NOrqKifD3lMGTj_v7rQbWQ2xUPExVpvncuGBbj-sTWdo-kFWncMPZAQbodawAvtgfOrUGFBlXcPG42UBmQrxBLUvwmF0GBoQK41Gz_tnOdwxe8TbFdqtuBQ6GcIZYYSLsFy4O77MNg/s1600/DSC03546.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgso-NOrqKifD3lMGTj_v7rQbWQ2xUPExVpvncuGBbj-sTWdo-kFWncMPZAQbodawAvtgfOrUGFBlXcPG42UBmQrxBLUvwmF0GBoQK41Gz_tnOdwxe8TbFdqtuBQ6GcIZYYSLsFy4O77MNg/s320/DSC03546.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714147585518102978" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEP9WlU8QrQqq5TusT9j_S5R7I7k5Vx-oThkociy5mfF0Kb5oqHFBRMmn5T_iWXPap1AATl2wLYVya8-oe4mAaMqNrPuFRm9TckKvWarn1PEXp31FVpxyGKGG3uoBZQow9ttPWO0Iym1G/s1600/Rubona.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEP9WlU8QrQqq5TusT9j_S5R7I7k5Vx-oThkociy5mfF0Kb5oqHFBRMmn5T_iWXPap1AATl2wLYVya8-oe4mAaMqNrPuFRm9TckKvWarn1PEXp31FVpxyGKGG3uoBZQow9ttPWO0Iym1G/s320/Rubona.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714151045918680818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">or search for the best price of a product at one of the grocery stores in Kigali and then transport the food 60km to the Village on a mini-bus packed with 19 passengers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Generally speaking, it’s just easier to go to the dining hall and eat whatever is being served that particular day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> If nothing else, there is <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> white rice to eat. </span>And although the Village food could use a little bit of spice and extra flavor, I know it isn’t an easy task to cook for 650 people at one seating, so I can't fault the cooks, and I can’t be too critical.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you are still curious about the diet here in Rwanda, why don’t </span><span style="font-size:100%;">you come visit and taste it for yourself!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My first </span><span style="font-size:100%;">visitor arrives in 33 days!!!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-77254854858273845422012-02-11T08:38:00.000+02:002012-02-11T09:56:26.280+02:00Present time can be hard, but life unfolds as it will...<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Emotions are a funny thing. In my previous place of employment, I was labeled as "emotional," and to many in that environment, that was deemed a bad thing. It was a battle I fought vehemently, insisting that to have emotions is a positive attribute, and without them, we just become machines, performing robotic functions, not caring about others, and not respecting the people who are intricately involved in the work we do. Emotions elicit passion, and without passion and inspiration, what is the point?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Emotions in Rwanda are different. They aren't deemed negative, but rather aren't acknowledged much at all. For a country with such a deep, dark history, for the most part emotions are kept at bay, and there are rarely open expressions of any extreme - anger, happiness, sadness, etc. Every once in a while I will even see a student quickly covering his/her mouth with a hand to disguise an unexpected smile. Tears are never shed out in the open, raised voices are not heard, and squeals of delight catch people off-guard. I have found that it isn't so much that people don't "feel," it is just that they process their feelings more inwardly than what I am accustomed to, and that has taken some adjustment on my part.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have come to understand that each of us have a past which is filled with events that have unfolded in various ways, and those unique events bring about emotions in us that can, at times, catch us off-guard. Oftentimes I find that it isn't until later that I uncover the truth behind the emotions that have built up inside me, and realize that it is my history that has shaped me and that makes me react to situations and circumstances in various ways. We are not robots, and we are not meant to be robots, so I struggle with environments that are emotionless, and I am intrigued by the typical Rwandan response of "I'm fine" when asked how they are doing. In fact in many English-Kinyarwanda dictionaries, the basic conversational exchange that is taught goes as follows:</span><br /></span><ul style="font-family: georgia;"><li><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Good Morning - Mwaramutse</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >How Are You - Amakuru</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >I'm Fine - Ni Meza</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is rarely another response that is heard or expressed, other than, "I'm fine."<br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Last weekend one of my friends in the Village, a fellow American, received horrific news that her father had suddenly and unexpectedly fallen gravely ill. He passed away this past Monday, nearly 24 hours after she arrived back in the States to say goodbye. I can not describe the emotions that I felt when I heard the news and when I saw her in the airport to bid her farewell. Not only was I sickened for her and her family, but my mind and memories immediately jumped back to the morning when I received a similar phone call about my brother, and in an instant the gut-wrenching, hollow pain in the pit of my stomach returned. The rush of emotions that have been surfacing within me since last weekend have been a bit unexpected and startling. I understand that my feelings are not irrational or incorrect, but they are different on so many levels from what other people around me feel, and it is impossible for anyone to understand or relate to what is going on within me. I am surrounded each day by people in the Village who harbor such sadness, but with such limited outward expression of emotion, it is not possible to "heal" in an open way. That realization and feeling of isolation have been my greatest challenges this week. <br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ironically enough, the evening before my friend's father's accident, I had a conversation with another friend about untimely death and trying to process the pain and seemingly lack of understanding that I have regarding a life being cut so short. Most people don't know that after my brother's death, I looked into going to India for a bit to spend time meditating at an Ashram. As you know by now, I ended up in Rwanda, but in a roundabout way, a message from an Ashram reached me. During the above-mentioned conversation, my friend told me a story that he learned while living at an Ashram several years ago. He told me about a talented artist who lived at the Ashram. She painted incredibly intricate paintings and once they were finished, she would place them in a body of water and watch as they disappeared out of sight forever. Someone asked her how she could destroy such works of art after spending so many hours creating them. She explained that what is important is to memorialize not the piece of art itself, but rather how it made you feel while you were creating it, and how it made you feel while you spent time with it. THAT feeling will stay alive and with you forever, living in your mind and in your heart.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Looking back on being called "emotional" and being looked down upon for having that trait, I have to say that I have now learned to put aside judgments like those which prevented me for so long from looking inward and understanding my own individualistic way of understanding myself and the world around me. I have emerged as someone who is not ashamed to feel, who can both outwardly express and inwardly process my feelings, without feeling the need to validate or legitimize them. My life has provided me with events, interactions and experiences which have made me a unique individual. How each of us responds to the world and its inner workings is a result of our individual histories. My emotional complexity is something to be valued, and for all those naysayers out there who beg to differ with that opinion, well, I just look at them as being simplistic and dense, and are far too fearful to examine the inner workings of who they really are and why they are that way. Having emotions, whether internal ones like the Rwandans, or more raw emotions like I have is something to be valued, as it makes us complete </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >human</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> versions of our true selves. </span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57wh3bgABzVG2eaxbKZY4prYbz0Lph8vclISTZR_rgo0DmuZ88MGkg7OUfFtieHiseHIcpoYc6G-MFavZDXlL8b0L0P5Bja2_WmA5z_tdljswSlB-8NHzWvVSQwmJcFU5zDf6uQBkFK3i/s1600/DSC03499.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57wh3bgABzVG2eaxbKZY4prYbz0Lph8vclISTZR_rgo0DmuZ88MGkg7OUfFtieHiseHIcpoYc6G-MFavZDXlL8b0L0P5Bja2_WmA5z_tdljswSlB-8NHzWvVSQwmJcFU5zDf6uQBkFK3i/s320/DSC03499.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707778848694684786" border="0" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dorea, I miss you more than words can express...sending you hugs from Rwanda xoxo</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-17422182840025247512012-01-23T21:04:00.001+02:002012-01-24T10:08:25.106+02:00monkey business for my birthday<span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: georgia;" 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name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >My father has always teased me that one day isn’t long enough for me to celebrate my birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Who am I to disagree with him – this year I allowed the celebration to last a few days…this may be my only birthday in Rwanda after all.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I wanted to be in the Village for my actual birthday because the girls in my family seemed really excited that my birthday was coming up, and I honestly couldn’t think of any other place I would rather be, or any other people I would rather be surrounded by.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They didn’t disappoint, as they had a whole celebration planned, complete with candles, a MOUND of confetti, which they threw on my head, songs, and handmade birthday cards.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The amount of love they showed me was magnificent and so moving.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Since my brother’s untimely death this past July, I have really been thinking quite a bit about growing older, and I am trying to be thankful for each and every day that I have here on Earth with family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That is honestly what I thought a lot about on my birthday – I want to make each day of my life meaningful and I want to find something to be grateful for in each of those days.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My brother accomplished an astounding array of achievements in his short 33 years; however there was still a lot that he never got to encounter, so I am trying to make sure that I make the most of every situation so that I can experience things for the both of us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">I decided to make this weekend MY weekend, and I did something that I have dreamed about since I was a little girl – I went into the jungle and chased around chimpanzees!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywdGdQZmv5iUHjkyDBejcMw1E8EshsUT5eVlAYRIgaIqG5XbDxtNGCADGttMj86SXX_VUFq9kJw3NCSCTxJr4ybrS60TKcSSX-aBJe1iomoNMaGUK-hjqjNzvCXm5dx0wdvUHTC0MKXUk/s1600/DSC03874.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywdGdQZmv5iUHjkyDBejcMw1E8EshsUT5eVlAYRIgaIqG5XbDxtNGCADGttMj86SXX_VUFq9kJw3NCSCTxJr4ybrS60TKcSSX-aBJe1iomoNMaGUK-hjqjNzvCXm5dx0wdvUHTC0MKXUk/s320/DSC03874.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700941753706216834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">My friends Melanie (Briggs) and Monica (Timar) have supported my chimpanzee obsession by buying me many things chimp-related (statues, notebooks, key chains, etc.) for years, but the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">real</i> chimpanzee is so much better!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a long journey to Nyungwe, Rwanda – about 6 hours by bus across the entire country.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The final 2 hours through Nyungwe National Forest reminded me of Tanzania with respect to the roads – they call it an African massage because of the constant bumps/shaking/vibration caused by the rough terrain.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The scenery however, reminded me of Costa Rica – I had entered a dense, primary rainforest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was early to bed because I had to wake up at 4:30am and get ready to meet the guide at 5am.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then I was back on the bumpy road for another hour and 45 minutes toward Cyamudongo Forest, where a family of roughly 40 chimpanzees reside.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The terrain was fierce with wet, thick underbrush underfoot, tripping vines grabbing at my ankles, choking vines grasping for my throat, prickly branches sticking to my legs, and lichen-covered trees everywhere in sight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The sky was barely visible, and the make-believe path that we were following was nearly 75 degrees steep (or so it seemed)!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As soon as I reached the top of the hill, I got word from the chimpanzee trackers that the chimps had changed course and were headed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">down</i> the hill, which meant I had to backtrack and run back down the same “path” that I had just climbed!<span style=""> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PHE2ZtmiWFCb8HQFgTO7nEesLfJNtEBTeGz1srMocTsGIbnCKbWCCfb92YDk9fSUGOdscqEKsVT9Tjd31U091tNFRD7mc-c1g7eT3w83IecitIM0-UswCEy2OnpD1fwvJ1J1uBPB2CuQ/s1600/DSC03871.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PHE2ZtmiWFCb8HQFgTO7nEesLfJNtEBTeGz1srMocTsGIbnCKbWCCfb92YDk9fSUGOdscqEKsVT9Tjd31U091tNFRD7mc-c1g7eT3w83IecitIM0-UswCEy2OnpD1fwvJ1J1uBPB2CuQ/s200/DSC03871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700946854453942482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was more treacherous going down, and I found myself on my butt more often than not.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have to admit that I was tempted to go Romancing-the-Stone-style and just slide down the darn muddy hill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If only I could use all 4 limbs like the chimps!</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">As soon as I reached the main path, I was told to wait for the chimpanzees to reach the same point because they would cross the “street” and head down the next steep hill, into the valley below.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4U05D-_uA2H5OC2FkGJe83O2noBnUXikxQc_-sowhEjnjEH5116E7kjSK91sD2oTvlOvE1h2rwVfUZzGPZIJN9vkN9vd89BktMILYQeRoVq75OXcHP3Xumx0fBtjX5_NkxKGGU55kD6OK/s1600/DSC03859.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4U05D-_uA2H5OC2FkGJe83O2noBnUXikxQc_-sowhEjnjEH5116E7kjSK91sD2oTvlOvE1h2rwVfUZzGPZIJN9vkN9vd89BktMILYQeRoVq75OXcHP3Xumx0fBtjX5_NkxKGGU55kD6OK/s200/DSC03859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700951012744491714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Sure enough, after a few minutes I could hear the “hoot” noises coming closer and in a matter of a few seconds, an entire group crossed the street, one-by-one (with the exception of the one momma chimp with the baby on her back).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As each one emerged out of the jungle, they stopped, stared in my direction, and then scampered back into the forest below.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was breathtaking!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After another bit of time waiting on the road above, listening to the chimpanzees below, I got word from the trackers to venture down into the forest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After trudging through more vines, trees, moss, and mud, I found them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was a moment when the tracker pushed me ahead of the group and told me to run down the path…moments later, I found myself 20 feet from a group of chimpanzees who were standing on the same path as I was, staring at me as if to say, “why the hell are you running after us?”<span style=""> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaQknFMJsO_kGu5g22o2ePEbONq4AUNk5JZSDRSR9x57HY0VWDh7L33mQy_nBbyWn2fN__BKWj_5arR33oETfxpkcuZVxFfgoHk7n8uztv19O0IMDeVXTn_0753PwpgHrBNVSh87Ycc82/s1600/DSC03843.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaQknFMJsO_kGu5g22o2ePEbONq4AUNk5JZSDRSR9x57HY0VWDh7L33mQy_nBbyWn2fN__BKWj_5arR33oETfxpkcuZVxFfgoHk7n8uztv19O0IMDeVXTn_0753PwpgHrBNVSh87Ycc82/s200/DSC03843.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701086858361281458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I stopped, frozen, unable to grasp the reality of the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Who gets the opportunity to truly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">chase after chimpanzees</i>?!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was an outrageous notion, and I had just done it!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As we were staring at each other, the tracker told those of us in the group to turn around – here WE <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>were also being chased…one of the male chimpanzees was following us on the path, keeping a close eye on what we were doing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was astounding.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The trek wrapped up with our group chasing the family of chimps up and down a few more hills, and then coming to a halt, standing still, watching them swing high above us in the rainforest canopy, from branch to branch, tree to tree.<span style=""> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oHNZlPMaQaMFwOWFYS9lVEMP1z6W31vgF1Tlhsbr2t1x36IAXW7wUezrjrLRIM2asipc4r2FBfM732q_iVnbr9HnBc-Eap2erT0lw1OBc5g-94924Uh1FL56htf4G11Hoekxnr1ci8PJ/s1600/DSC03862.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oHNZlPMaQaMFwOWFYS9lVEMP1z6W31vgF1Tlhsbr2t1x36IAXW7wUezrjrLRIM2asipc4r2FBfM732q_iVnbr9HnBc-Eap2erT0lw1OBc5g-94924Uh1FL56htf4G11Hoekxnr1ci8PJ/s200/DSC03862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701103112961403202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I decided to just put my camera down and watch it all transpire without a camera lens hampering my view.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I took many mental pictures, which will be with me long after my digital photos are forgotten.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The monkeys’ free-spirited and playful nature made me smile and made me escape the reality of my world for just a few moments.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I got lost in the moment, and loved every second of it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I came here to be present and live in each and every moment, and I did that while I was with the chimpanzees.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had lived yet another dream, and crossed yet another thing off my bucket list.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What’s next?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You’ll have to stay tuned to see…</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A memorable moment from this weekend </span>– </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8M-NG41bIe2fzE-fw1k1lkOKbQggdBuBXmBgS4HAYWjxe2TcxFbHUDCUxWnhOtaL9Yw74jpq_Ge5OcMlQGhpH2ZghVZnJghVnMtlIjSZ1BrKQ59TPWEHD9we2QrVuKcFJ25RDeBynnnxv/s1600/DSC03768.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8M-NG41bIe2fzE-fw1k1lkOKbQggdBuBXmBgS4HAYWjxe2TcxFbHUDCUxWnhOtaL9Yw74jpq_Ge5OcMlQGhpH2ZghVZnJghVnMtlIjSZ1BrKQ59TPWEHD9we2QrVuKcFJ25RDeBynnnxv/s200/DSC03768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701099817886735810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">hitchhiking (to save $120), and getting picked up by a dump truck (see photo to the right, inside the cab)!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Aside from the ridiculously fun, ultra-bumpy ride, the 40 minute ride was FREE!<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Another memorable moment from this weekend </span>– </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNoel3qTltflJqp4eD5e-cMPfgsIPu_ex4l9uCnSRbbGwZ71BgqxcDStn4TluDPme5VwVtlqjvDWzZ8cMSaILZr_gZU4vq2vDZ7ogu5R1HGDPkhc8qU7cpiYCsw7qJFOZ8gr1GrU4hFc1/s1600/DSC03805.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNoel3qTltflJqp4eD5e-cMPfgsIPu_ex4l9uCnSRbbGwZ71BgqxcDStn4TluDPme5VwVtlqjvDWzZ8cMSaILZr_gZU4vq2vDZ7ogu5R1HGDPkhc8qU7cpiYCsw7qJFOZ8gr1GrU4hFc1/s200/DSC03805.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701099825506840066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">while playing cards at the Gisakura guesthouse in the afternoon, my friend Miki and I found ourselves suddenly SURROUNDED by blue monkeys who smelled the bananas we were eating.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They swarmed around us and made me giggle like a toddler.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was so thrilling to have so many monkeys so close in proximity to me (at times they were 2 feet away)! (see photo to the right)</span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Another fun adventure from this past weekend</span> – the canopy walk, complete with a 1 and 1/2 hour hike, high above the Nyungwe Rainforest! The canopy walkway is 200 meters long, and is suspended 70 meters high between giant trees. It offers a magnificent view of the upper canopy. (see photos below)</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H-POSk9JSJTqtVuWQAvTqb8DtSg3jFJlKVBOCPz4NcqUIHH7PpdNNQOs0_SzVDuTJa3hssPdgFdioUKxT5oNhdFwXHGMrzjlCRTcw3UnvpKXs2ADJrm3TJoV9hyR56kjysPj4_zpPf0O/s1600/DSC03782.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ASOt8I1so42A2nykh_FvJrjrP67ehSccNtxnqehO9ie0QjY6X9-Pv83-CJYgtA1ekmvMcSbrqHOf0gXHGh0rdf0PRBgdHnnToHw3-DXrsFpBJvDmjLnr52hFm4URS32IV0LG5JkyS8gz/s200/DSC03779.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701093829155233026" border="0" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H-POSk9JSJTqtVuWQAvTqb8DtSg3jFJlKVBOCPz4NcqUIHH7PpdNNQOs0_SzVDuTJa3hssPdgFdioUKxT5oNhdFwXHGMrzjlCRTcw3UnvpKXs2ADJrm3TJoV9hyR56kjysPj4_zpPf0O/s200/DSC03782.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701093820366960530" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stomach-turning moment from this weekend </span>– on the bus ride back to Kigali, the man seated behind me was unable to wait to “pass water” (what they call peeing in Rwanda), and ended up peeing himself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yes, the bus reeked of urine, and we still had 4 hours left in our ride.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-27033517309890001912012-01-18T08:52:00.000+02:002012-01-18T09:31:02.282+02:00Urgency, Effectiveness, Efficiency, and a Recipe for Success<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> 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<w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Life is different here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Every day I see, discover and hear things that strike me as odd, but that is just because they are different from what I am accustomed to.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I find some things amusing, others intriguing, and others just downright baffling.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My quest to learn 1 thing a day is still alive and well, as there is always something to learn here in Rwanda.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I will start with the notion of urgency, effectiveness, and efficiency.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Those are three words that have been engrained into my thoughts and actions since the day I began working as a teenager at the local Geauga County Fair.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As I have grown older, I have become someone who requests that those three tenants be respected and heeded, so I have had to switch gears a bit, take a back seat, and bite my tongue since moving to Rwanda.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Urgency does not exist – plain and simple.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Rwanda has its own pace, and it is most definitely NOT urgent.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The other night I was walking back from the dining hall and one of the staff members mocked me because I was, “being passed by Rwandans.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>People here walk S-L-O-W-L-Y, so to be passed by a Rwandan indicates that you are practically moving backwards because they are never in a hurry.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I must say though that I have learned to take my time and not rush.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is refreshing to slow down and live in the moment, and to allow myself to get lost in my surroundings as I go to and from a place, BUT, the slower pace means that less gets accomplished, especially when there is a lack of effectiveness and efficiency.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Case in point - last week the Village water pump stopped working, and we ran out of water.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For two days, there wasn’t any running water – to shower, to brush your teeth, to flush the toilet, to drink…the pipes were dry.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Although I was beginning to feel as though the water issue was an urgent matter, none of the Rwandans seemed especially concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was even a hour when I saw people using the backup collection of rain water to wash a Village vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Clearly THAT was an urgent activity, although not an effective or efficient use of backup water from the point of view of a Westerner <span style="mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings">:)</span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">It is so easy as a Westerner to be tempted to jump into a project that is underway and explain, show, or overhaul the process from a Western perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But, I stop myself every time because that is not why I am here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am not here to tell people how to do something, or to explain that the Western way may be better or faster or more effective or efficient.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My job is to assist the Rwandans and support them with their efforts; all while proposing supplemental ways of enhancing their ideas or plans.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Even if I have a great idea, I have to introduce it in a way so as to make them think that it is an idea that they cultivated, thus making them believe in it more, thus increasing the odds that there will be buy-in from those involved.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s a slippery game, but oddly intriguing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The key is sustainability.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I can arrive with the most incredible plan or idea, but if there isn’t local buy-in and belief in that plan or idea, it will die when I leave this Village 10 ½ months from now.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It also has to make sense to the locals.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In a way, many people here seem to have the old-school American mentality of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They seemingly do things a certain way because that is the way it has always been done, and there isn’t any reason in their mind to change the course of action, regardless if the “new” way is more effective or efficient.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That notion drove me batty at my last job, but keeping it in context here in Rwanda, it makes sense here, and with that newly found discovery and understanding, I have a new sense of calm when it comes to those kinds of situations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">In addition to appreciating and understanding a new way of looking at things and situations, I also uncovered an discovery.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I came to realize that urgency, effectiveness, and efficiency aren’t as important as I always thought them to be.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What matters is to have competent, intelligent leaders above you and workers surrounding you, all who possess the passion and inspiration to make the work meaningful, and the respect for one another to make the work possible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you have those key ingredients, most everything else will fall into place, and the bits that don’t, don’t really matter.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That recipe for success did not exist in my life before Rwanda, and I am so thankful to have made that discovery so early in this journey.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This really is a good fit, and these people are exactly who I want around me each and every day. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They make me stronger, smarter, more worldly, and more productive.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They are what each and every place of employment needs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Funny Story of the Week</b>: I was sitting and waiting to meet a tour group which was coming to the Village, and several staff members scolded me for sitting out in the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When I came inside to sit and wait, one of the staff members said to me, “your skin is changing color…WHAT IS WRONG?!”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I looked down and all I saw were my ever-present freckles, which apparently are not very common here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is one of those things I have taken for granted because in America, I don’t think I have ever had to try to explain what freckles are to another person.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Like I said before, this place is different.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Think about it – how do you explain freckles?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After trying to clarify the dots on my skin, the staff member responded by saying, “so it is a skin disease that you will pass on to your children.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was no way to cleanse that way of thinking, so I just had to laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I really wanted to tell him that because I have been eating so many beans, the color of the beans is starting to ooze through the pores in my skin, but I refrained.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Sweet Moment of the Week</b>: It was one of my little sister’s birthdays this past week, so I found her in the dining hall and gave her a hand-made card and a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>During our nightly family meeting, she mentioned how my gesture made her feel so special, and that she could feel the love that I had for her. She said that I made her day special.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Little did she know that I was struggling a bit emotionally that day, and when she left her friends at dinner to come sit next to me, SHE made my day special.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Cultural Highlight of the Week:</b> A Kigali-based theatre troupe (Mashirika) and The Anne Frank Project from Buffalo State University came to perform at the Village on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The entire show involved our own students performing traditional dance, Mashirika performing an emotional and thought-provoking piece about genocide, and The AFP performing a medley of Rent songs intertwined with scenes from Romeo & Juliet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a joy to watch it all take place outside in the amphitheatre!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">What I Am Craving This Week</b>: dried mango, apples, southern sweet tea, and my iPod (mine died)</span></p>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-5629996519455651632012-01-08T14:17:00.000+02:002012-01-08T14:48:47.139+02:00It Is A Challenging World In Which We Live<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXO1PgAfctJyRD_r4cSYTttVjTMMbx3Zzz9Oyjkfbzxga9FoaE3aFhStMhFDCA30dzcCvD1jz3mZwTLzFgNiB3qN9c9siIHiCqp6f5zS19Cky3Ks896Gu-6xfioTfEQUJHQSElFEKE5Kr/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXO1PgAfctJyRD_r4cSYTttVjTMMbx3Zzz9Oyjkfbzxga9FoaE3aFhStMhFDCA30dzcCvD1jz3mZwTLzFgNiB3qN9c9siIHiCqp6f5zS19Cky3Ks896Gu-6xfioTfEQUJHQSElFEKE5Kr/s320/020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695237533233623746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">This week I hit a milestone – one month in Rwanda :) If you have been following my blog, you know that the past 4 weeks have been filled with adventures and many opportunities for learning and growth.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I don’t want to paint an unbalanced picture however, because there have been challenges, which is to be expected no matter where you live in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I did not come on this journey to escape trials and tribulations or to avoid the world, but rather to be inspired by, and learn from the challenges that will be presented to me while in Rwanda.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Challenge 1: Most of you won’t be surprised to hear that I was sick this past week.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The truth is that I tend to catch colds and much more serious infections/diseases rather quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Quite honestly, that was the one fear that almost kept me from coming on this journey, but luckily I took the leap despite my fear of not having a CVS down at the corner, or Western Medicine within the boundaries of my living enviornment .<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This week was nothing serious – I picked up a wicked cold and sinus infection, all mixed in with some chest pressure.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is always miserable being sick, and the challenge of such seems to be exponentially worse when you are far away from home.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Although I brought boxes of cold and flu relief with me, nothing seemed to want to boot out whatever was in my system, which is when I turned to Rwandan Mother Nature Medicine, or so I call it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There are many plants, weeds, and trees that grow in the Village, and when Western boxed medicine failed me, I trusted what I was told by the locals and loaded up on sage, lemongrass, mint, honey, and a special tea made with an “antibiotic” leaf (see the picture to the left), </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-vRS9Rbv2SVEpV81hVL7YLXRFqWMS5xm9yLg5zMXvtJrjdgxpanFD8XHxm7gHGnkUKED4SOlyVHIdBEis6iMAmMl-7H1C0ZylB4ZSOiGgD7U2OHvIaUmyXyzO24IGcKYu9wxuWTXBJIe/s1600/DSC03741.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-vRS9Rbv2SVEpV81hVL7YLXRFqWMS5xm9yLg5zMXvtJrjdgxpanFD8XHxm7gHGnkUKED4SOlyVHIdBEis6iMAmMl-7H1C0ZylB4ZSOiGgD7U2OHvIaUmyXyzO24IGcKYu9wxuWTXBJIe/s320/DSC03741.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695236018158948402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">which just so happens to grow in the courtyard of the health and wellness center here in the village.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The leaf is quite well known, in fact any time anyone saw me with it, they inquired whether or not I was ill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have no idea what the leaf actually is, what is in it, or whether or not it actually has magical medicinal powers, but I was willing to give it a try.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Depending who I spoke with, I heard various tales about the antibiotic leaf.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was told that my best bet was to brew it into a tea.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A second option was to hold it over my nose and mouth and breathe through it, much like an oxygen mask on an airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The third option seemed to be the most risky – I was told that I could chew the leaf and/or tuck it between my gum and cheek, but that the side-effects were strong and included a sudden loss in blood pressure, the loss of hearing (for an unknown amount of time), and/or the numbing of my tongue and cheeks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As I stated, I was willing to give anything a try, but I was not willing to faint, lose my hearing, or my sense of taste and feeling in my mouth over a leaf. In the end, I honestly don’t know whether it was my immune system, the numerous American cold pills that people were pumping into me, or the magical antibiotic Mother Nature tea which took away my ailments, but here I am a week later feeling much better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Challenge 2: A second challenge I was faced with this week involved teaching English to 34 first year students in the Village (including the 2 boys featured in the traditional African dance video in my last blog).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I never have been, nor have I ever planned on being a teacher, but when it comes to the kids in the Village, I do what I am asked to do.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Every day this past week, along with one of the week-long ESL volunteers, I made lesson plans and taught English for 4 hours a day to the advanced students within the first year class.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The challenge wasn’t so much in the lesson planning, or the instruction, but it was everything that goes into teaching students life lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The students here all come from very challenging backgrounds, ones that would put most Americans’ “tough lives” to shame, and although they have each been “raised” to an extent by an elder, there are seemingly many holes when it comes to them having worldly awareness and knowledge, and respect (for themselves and others).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don’t get me wrong, these students are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">brilliant</i> – they could easily go toe-to-toe with many American University students when it comes to their ability to discuss and debate many topics at a high level, however when it comes to history for instance, their knowledge-base seems to be a bit one-dimensional, and when it comes to manners and respecting themselves and others, their knowledge-base seems to be semi-non-existent.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">One of my favorite pieces of the Village’s mission is to educate students both formally (in school) and informally, and to teach them academic lessons, as well as life-lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Simple lessons like not conversing with friends while someone is speaking seems to be a new concept to so many students here, whereas in America, I am pretty sure we learn that in Kindergarten.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Other lessons like respecting each other’s opinions, whether you agree or not, and not insisting that your opinion is more valuable or more accurate also seems to be novel (although many Americans don’t know those lessons, regardless of age).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The biggest and most surprising challenge arose while discussing various leaders, role models, and inspirational figures (specifically Anne Heyman, Nelson Mandela, Lady Gaga, Barack Obama, and Steve Jobs) with the students.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>During the discussion and lesson, other notable “leaders” were brought up by the students, particularly Hitler and Gaddafi.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>During those discussions, not only did I realize how insular my educational background was when it came to those two men and their actions, but I was also made aware of how narrow the views were of the students in my class. The big difference is that many of the students' views were polar opposite from what I had been exposed to in my formal education.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is all a matter of context and perspective I suppose, and it was a HUGE lesson learned on my part.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a challenge like no other I have really ever faced, but it was a lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This year will undoubtedly be filled with ups and downs, and although this past week was filled with challenges including those listed above and those not relayed to you via this blog, I am confident that this was the best decision I likely have ever made for myself – to stop living a life that didn't fit and which was challenging me in really negative ways, find the courage to walk away, listen to my heart, follow my instincts, and become a better version of who I was before. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As Steve Jobs said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life…Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”</i><span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I challenge each of you to heed Mr. Jobs’ advice, or at the very least, learn from others who have.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Most Touching Moment of the Week: </b>The girls in my family were making acrostic poems with their first names and decorating them for their rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Several of the girls wrote in the background of their poems, “I LOVE” and drew and line after the phrase.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They then came up to me and asked me to write my name in the blank so that it read, “I LOVE BARRETT.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Priceless.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Most Amusing Moment of the Week: </b>One of the boys in my advanced English class that I have been teaching for the week was asking me to tell him about my family and friends in America.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He and his friends were very inquisitive about my romantic life back in America and found it “impossible” that I didn’t leave a boyfriend behind when I moved here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the next instant, one of them raised his eyebrows in a flirtatious way and said, “well, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">I </i>am available.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Again, priceless.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Best Meal of the Week</b>:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b>Not just once, but twice this past weekend I went to the Indian restaurant next to the Kigali house to eat, and gorged myself until I was sure I was going to pop.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have never had such amazing Indian food in my life, and I have a feeling that I just began a new ritual for each time I go to Kigali.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you are ever in Kigali, you <u>must</u> eat at Zaffran in Kiovu!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>PHENOMENAL!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Best/Oddest Compliment of the Week: </b>I was buying groceries at a supermarket in Kigali, and during checkout, I was conversing in Kinyarwanda with the clerk (just basic greetings and conversation, NOTHING advanced), and after our exchange of words, he asked, “are you Rwandan?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I almost laughed out loud, but resisted the urge and told him that I was from America.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I know that I have picked up a lot of sun, and that I have a lot of freckles, but there is no way in the world that anyone could possibly think that I am actually from Rwanda!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I took it as a compliment nonetheless.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Kinyarwanda Phrases:</b></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span>Nimenshi Cyane! – That’s too expensive! (really helpful when you are bargaining for a moto or in a market)</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span>Ndwaye ibicurane – I have a cold </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal;font-size:7pt;" > </span></span>Ndi ingaragu – I am single</span></p>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579185647999433044.post-28935397361272734772012-01-02T00:44:00.000+02:002012-01-02T15:29:15.315+02:00You want me to do what at 6am?!<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">For those who know me, you know that I like my sleep. Actually, that is an understatement. My brothers still tease me, and my brother Kurt used to say (in a half-irritated, half boastful way) that I could out-sleep anyone in this world. It is true that I do love my sleep, and I cherish those days when I can sleep in, undisturbed, and wake up feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. I have never grown out of the sleeping in phase, and quite honestly, I never plan on doing so. However, having said that, sleeping in is not going to happen on any Saturday for the next year because of Muchaka Muchaka. Let me continue this preface by saying that Kurt was like Forrest Gump and could run, and run, and then run some more, without being phased. I was not built like him, and I am not, nor have I ever been a runner. In fact it is a rarity for me to ever feel like going for a run, but I have been known to do it. Apparently I will be doing it more often than ever before, again thanks to Muchaka Muchaka.<br />What is Muchaka Muchaka you ask? Every Saturday morning at 6am, the entire school (students, staff, administration, mamas, big sisters/brothers, and cousins) lines up and goes for a run together. Yes, I said 6 in the morning, as in the time when the sun is rising. This past Saturday was the first Muchaka Muchaka of the year, and it was, well, early. If I am going to be honest, I have to admit that the running was not all that bad, thanks in part to the drill sergeants leading the herd of us through the streets of Rubona. I call them drill sergeants jokingly, but essentially that's what they are - they are there to motivate us, shout out chants, lead songs, etc., all to try and make the run all the more enjoyable and bearable. I must say that I feel bad for the residents of Rubona who like me, enjoy sleeping in because there is not a chance in the world that anyone could sleep through the Agahozo Shalom Muchaka Muchaka singing and chanting. Once we finished the run, we all headed to the dining hall where some of the students led the group in further singing and dancing while we waited for the morning porridge. The joyful and spirited singing that these students participate in blows me away and gives me chills every time I hear it. They know so many national songs and EVERYONE participates with full gusto. It truly is something to witness and experience! I bet that I could visit every high school in America and not be able to find an entire student body that would be willing and able to spiritedly sing any song related to patriotism, let alone an entire selection of songs!<br /><br />As if the 6am Muchaka Muchaka didn't make the day long enough, it happened to be New Year's Eve, which meant that the day was going to be extra long, thanks to a 3 hour student-produced "talent show." I think all of the Westerners had our doubts when we were told that the brand new students, who have been here less than a week were going to conceptualize, organize, and perform in the New Year's Eve show, leading up to the stroke of midnight. Well, the naysayers were put to shame because the students pulled it off and there was not a single person in attendance who was not thoroughly entertained. The show featured various acts that ranged from traditional dance (see the clip at the bottom of the page), to modern dance, singing, comedy skits, theatrical skits, and interpretive dance. It was quite a range, and it was absolutely incredible to see these students peel away their inhibitions and perform on stage in front of 150 people. Every time I saw one of my girls on stage, I was like a proud big sister, beaming and taking pictures.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrf0X4J9N5wRi1ZvhsleUBBlbvNHmvJAAx_NW3yjwn1XgXor6vBVnWDlbRui7akXDhAq4MNKVgPKqmmMdPwYnsTV9FATiaCeaO5sXhqpI10MeWxftuGzhMM3QmEP-POxR61idl-yKg7vPe/s1600/DSC03740.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrf0X4J9N5wRi1ZvhsleUBBlbvNHmvJAAx_NW3yjwn1XgXor6vBVnWDlbRui7akXDhAq4MNKVgPKqmmMdPwYnsTV9FATiaCeaO5sXhqpI10MeWxftuGzhMM3QmEP-POxR61idl-yKg7vPe/s200/DSC03740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693009083540077810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />I can't say that I am going to keep the Muchaka Muchaka tradition alive and well after I leave Rwanda in a year (time will tell), but I will say that every time I am timid or afraid to step out of my comfort zone, I will think back to the New Year's Eve celebration and think of the students and their performances. They will give me courage to live in the moment, and embrace each opportunity.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kinyarwanda Words of the Day: </span></span></span><span class="lemma">umwaka mushya muhire - translation: happy new year</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lesson of the Day:</span> if you catch a raccoon and want to eat it, place the meat in a salt brine mixture to a) kill any potential parasites and b) tenderize and season the meat - weird lesson, I know, but I learned it today!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Favorite Sound of the Day: </span>hearing my girls laugh with pure delight when they try to teach me a new kinyarwanda word and I am unable to correctly pronounce it - they truly double over with laughter and the sound is just magical!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Favorite Quote from a Student: </span>During the New Year's Eve celebration, one of our new students was translating for me (in perfect, advanced English mind you), and after about 2 hours, he said, "please excuse me while I go quickly to the wash closet (the bathroom for those of you who are confused), but do not worry because I will return soon."<br /></span></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzhhid2Q_JVNFA2QhkpB_MfjnEuWAIw-WqCZ9CbIpA06nXLN1Oz0OkLIdsL4nn8ttUfm2wHkDYrbCeuSbAauw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>barretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03121829712105487602noreply@blogger.com1