The Journey to Africa!

The dream is finally coming true. What was once just a vision will turn into a reality in a few short hours! I still truthfully can’t believe it’s happening. It feels like a mix of excitement with the tiniest sprinkle of disbelief and a dash of anxiety due to unfamiliar surroundings and not entirely sure what to expect.
So to back up just a bit, I would like to share how this all came about.

The History
As a little girl I have always had this vision of me living in Africa. A small village with less resources. An experience that I have always felt like I would need to have at least once in my life. The ability to connect to another culture, experience a different lifestyle and self exploration unlike any other experience. The experience has always incorporated children and education, and as I grew in my career, the vision added a focus on women’s rights. When I say vision, I mean this literal image in my mind. A picture that after all these years looks exactly the same – one day I should try and draw this image so you know what I mean.
Anyway, towards the end of 2015 I had an epiphany that I was constantly saying “one day I will” … fill in the blank. I remember this moment so vividly. I was sitting on my couch at home – which for me was a quite rare occasion. Within a few minutes, I signed the paperwork to become a big sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters, decided I would travel abroad to take a first step in this journey to Africa and I purchased a violin! It was a simple moment in reality. Not a huge life changing conversation with friends nor due to a life changing event. It was an ordinary day where I made the decision to go for it.
I say that because I feel that we often wait for a sign or the fight moment to pursue our dreams. Big or small. But as they say, today is the first day of the rest of our lives. No time like the present! The time is now!

Taking the First Step

I ended up going on a 19 day solo trip to Spain, traveling to 10 cities. It was the start of something magical. I loved every moment! I had so many highlights and tons of learning moments. It was exactly as I had hoped and made me realize that indeed, my life was heading towards something bigger. A global impact.

While abroad, I continuously spoke with fellow travelers on what they did for career. How could one make this a lifestyle? How could I pursue this vision that I’ve always had?
Someone ended up sharing about a program called Remote Year. I looked into it on the spot and then continued traveling – thinking I would dive into options when I got home. When I got home, my mom had an article cut out from the Tampa Bay Times, on this very same program. I was shocked! We hadn’t spoken about it. What are the odds! For those that know me, that’s all it took. I thought, serendipity! I must apply!

So I did! I ended up getting accepted and decided that I would quit my job and pursue this crazy dream. I ended up deciding that Remote Year wasn’t the exact experience I wanted and thought I would be better served going on this journey alone, but it was RY that was the catalyst for this decision! The end goal for me was making connections until I ended up in Africa – and I’m grateful I did it this way because it only took 2 weeks to get connected to Africa!

Next stop Kigali, Rwanda!
My last day in the office was January 27, 2017 and I departed for London on February 9, 2017. I had no “traditional” plan. I felt that I had a plan, it just didn’t translate to most. My plan was travel, make connections where I could, and get myself to Africa! I didn’t have a specific region but I just knew I wanted it to align with my core values and my purpose.
Well, as mentioned in another blog post, within the first week or two of my trip, I was connected to the Akilah Institute in Rwanda! I actually have been connected to a handful of people since then in various parts of Africa which is quite cool!
Long story short, I sent my resume to Akilah, had a Skype meeting with their director of HR and then ultimately booked a ticket to Kigali! The Skype meeting took place when in Amsterdam and then I booked my flight a week later.

Today is the Day!

The day has finally come where I am traveling to Africa! My travel has taken 25+ hours traveling from Seville, Spain to Barcelona. A 4 hour layover in Barcelona and then a 5 hour flight to Doha, Qatar. I spent only a short amount of time in this airport but I found it fascinating. So many cultures in one place. I need to know more. My curiosity was just taking over and it just felt so magical to be there for some reason.
I am now on a plane heading towards Kigali! We will make a pitstop in Entebbe, Uganda and then a hop, skip and jump to Kigali!
The next time I hit land – my dream will become a reality! It’s the wildest feeling. It’s exciting and emotional and my mind is running in a million directions.
My travel experience has been outstanding. The journey has just been an ideal one. When I arrive in Kigali, my instruction is to find a taxi and tell them to bring me to Kacyiru below Minagri. That’s it! No house number. No name. Just that sentence. I have no idea what to expect but I’m hopeful no other information is necessary!
I will be staying with a woman named Rita. She was recommended by Natasha, the HR Director of the Akilah Institute! She has the loveliest voice. I’m looking forward to meeting her! I will have my own room and a stove is being put in the home within the week. That’s all I know!
There is a ton of unknowns currently, so right now I’m just “owning the wave” as LA would say! I am going with the flow. My soul is smiling from deep within! I am living my dream and I can’t quite articulate how that feels.

Anyway, the people have been lovely! I have had great seat mates. During my hour long wait in the plane in Uganda, people were chatting and laughing! It has been a really lovely experience. I am constantly reminded how kind people are. A man I set next to from Barcelona to Doha was actually from South Africa and now lives in Bahrain. He said 99% of Africa are the loveliest people you’ll ever meet. 1% are beyond cruel. Ensure to stay away from the 1%.
It’s so easy for the world to focus on the 1% but I am so pleased to travel and see the beauty of the world and the people within it! I cannot wait to get to Rwanda and share this experience with those following from around the world!

Goodbye Seville! You’ve been splendid!