Reflections

By now I've had plenty of time to get back in to the swing of things back home but I know a part of Rwanda and Africa will always be with me. I still think about our experiences everyday and relate things back to our trip. For example, yesterday my friend and I were going to a concert half way across the state from where we live; we started discussing how far away it was and how long it would take us to get there. I was in no hurry, we would get there when we get there. I told my friend about how our 20 minute trips turned into an hour or more and of course showing up to the intori dancers late and nobody seemed to mind. I'm trying to combine the laid back/relaxed pace of Rwanda with our fast paced society. It has been quite the challenge.

I've been able to talk to most of my family and friends about the trip which I find hard to actually describe what an experience it was. The first thing I told everyone was that it was awesome because I'm not sure how else to describe my over all oppinion of the country and what we did while we were there. Everyone asked what my favorite thing was which also proves to be a challenge because we did so many different things. I usually find myself talking about working with the kids in the schools and playing with the children at the orphanage. I enjoyed everything about our trip and wish that everyone could have this life changing experience. I look forward to someday returning to Africa.

Afterthoughts...

Well......we made it home. Although I am very glad that I made it home, a part of me misses Rwanda.
Before leaving, many people asked me if Rwanda was safe to travel to. Of course my answer was yes because that is what I was told. Although I believed this to be true, I needed to find out for myself so I could answer with my own opinion. Well I am here to tell you that Rwanda is a safe country to visit and I cannot recommend going there enough.
My favorite part of the trip.......well that is hard picking just one. The entire trip was my favorite. We had several inspiring moments which were once in a lifetime chance. Just being amongst the Rwandans is inspiring by itself.
I was very lucky to get to travel with a wonderful group of people. This group made the trip be a once in a lifetime experience with many great memories which I will never forget. I could not have asked for a better group!!!!
I hope you have enjoyed reading our blog as much as we have enjoyed sharing our experience. I hope that our words and pictures inspire some to travel more or at least be an advocate for places like Rwanda. Once again, if you are looking for somewhere to travel to which is off the beaten path, have a look at Rwanda. This tiny country offers so much but is hardly thought of when talking about travel.
I wish you all well and give you some traveling advice..... Tread lightly and keep an open mind.
Thanks for reading!

Thoughts from Home

So we have been home a couple days shy of a week, but the differences between Iowa and Rwanda seem so vast that it seems like Rwanda was a long time ago. I often get asked what my favorite part of the trip was which is hard to answer because most of the things we did were so different from each other that you can't really compare them. I think that one of the experiences that changed me the most were watching the Batwa dance and sing. They quite literally have nothing but the clothes on their back and a small shelter to make up their possessions, yet I have NEVER seen or heard of anyone being so happy. This feeling of being care-free just rolls off of them. They have an amazing spirit that is portrayed in their love for music. I am absolutely speechless when I watch them, not just because they are great at dancing and singing, but just the way their absolute happiness is portrayed from them. Rwanda was an amazing! experience with amazing! people and I can't tell you how lucky I am to have been a part of it! Thanks for reading our blog!

Video

Check out this video of us working in Rwanda!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWHawQueJmg

Thanks to Julie Ghrist of the Art of Conservation - http://art-of-conservation.com/

I have been to the depths of the jungle...okay, so maybe not quite the depths but enough to walk through sinking mud, crouch under bamboo and vines, and watch our trial maker takes his machete and with a swift movment hack down whatever happens to be in our way. This was our hike to see golden monkeys! We even saw and elephant foot print! The golden monkeys were fast and hard to take pictures of because of all the bamboo. They would hop from one tree to the other making it sway down with their weight then sling-shot back once they let go. Unlike the gorillas who were out of the forest and primarily remaind in the same area, we trekked around the forest trying to catch a glimpse on the monkeys. It was so neat and quite the adventure.
We also visted an orphanage. Before my feet hit the ground getting out of the jeep, a little boy had grabbed my hand and preceeded to lead me around. Then we whipped out the bubbles....oh my goodness! The kids would scream and chase after them then come up to us ready at their chance to blow the bubbles themselves. While playing their version of duck-duck-goose, a little girl scooted up to me and grabbed my hand. She then took both of her hands to my one inspecting it; opening my hand and turning it. It was cute :)
I can't believe time is winding down and we will be home soon. It feels like we have been here so long for all the things we have been able to do, but it also suprises me that our three weeks are almost up! I guess that is just how it goes!
Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Last day in Ruhengeri

This trip has been so amazing and it's gone by pretty fast. It's our last whole day in Ruhengeri. I've had time to think about a few cultural differences from the US. The first one is time. Things here are at a much more relaxed pace. A two hour drive often takes 2 1/2 or 3 hours. And if you're late, it's not a problem. We showed up for the Intori dancers 35 minutes late and nobody seemed bothered one bit. This relaxed pace is sometimes frustrating, but for the most part it is good not having to rush around on a strick schedule. Another major difference is the traffic and rules of the road. Pedestrians do not have the right of way. Turn signals are used every two seconds; they even use them to let the people behind them know when it's safe to pass. Vehicles often drive down the center of the road (even though there are lane markings on the major roads) because there are pedestrians walking or pushing bikes on the outside edges of the roads. These are just a few of the cultural differences I've been thinking about.

Yesterday we got to pick which hike we would go on. Virginia and I went on the Dian Fossey/ Karisoke hike. It was really muddy and physically demanding for me. I felt really accomplished when we were done. It was really neat seeing how large the research center was and all the grave markers of the gorillas we read about as well as Dian Fossey's grave. It wasn't what I was expecting but it was a great experience that I won't soon forget!

Wow!

Wow, time is now flying. We only have 3 short days left. Tonight is our last night in Ruhengeri. This week has gone fast we went to the school for 3 days and taught them a fun song for the Art of Conservation. The kids are adorable and are so blessed to be able to go to school. I recently was wondering about the quality of the teachers and do they have to report back to the government about what they are teaching? Can anyone just come in and "teach"? It just amazes me the difference between the Rwanda regulations and the United States regulations. The United States has so many guidelines and checkpoints for students who want to be teachers and guidelines and regulations for what is taught in the classrooms......and it just keeps going.

We also went on 3 different hikes yesterday (saturday). I went to the top of the volcano called Viskoe and went all the way up to see cratter lake!!!!!!!! It took 3 1/2 hours up and wow was that hard... But wow, it was so worth it. I became breathless because I couldn't describe the beauty. It took only 2 hours on the way down. What a experience of a lifetime!

Enjoying my last few days in Rwanda. A safari is up next....!