April 19, 2017

So much has happened in the last few days that I don’t even know where to begin!

I took a bus to Musanze to visit Greg

I went hiking and saw monkeys!

I took a painting class

I have enjoyed the hammock

I took a shower! It had warm water for a portion!

I entered my last full week in Africa 😦

As I enter my last full week in Africa, I thought it best to provide another update for those interested! As I’m sure you’ve seen on Facebook, I’m loving life in Rwanda! It’s a beautiful country, with beautiful people. There is a spirit here that I wish I could bottle up and take home with me.

I want to provide updates on a few items. I’ve been getting a lot of “What’s next” questions so I figured I could answer them in one swift email!

Genocide Memorial Week

This week in Rwanda is Genocide Memorial Week. Beginning on April 7, everything for a week shuts down at 2 pm. Some businesses close completely. Akilah decided to do half day from home. There is to be no music or heavy movement on the streets after 2 pm. It is a time to reflect and remember what happened here.

Communities have daily conversations that you can attend to discuss and honor those lost. I attended the walk which kicks off the week. Led by their President, there is a ceremony, a walk from the Parliament to the stadium and then a memorial service. It was such an interesting experience. The whole presentation was in Kinyarwandan, but you don’t need to understand the words said to feel what was happening. Their soccer (futbol) stadium was packed. Seats were cement stairs essentially – and we were packed in. Sitting arm to arm and leg to leg. I kept paying attention to those around me. I noticed strangers making room for one another; allowing people to even squeeze in between legs, or squishing even closer to make room for a later comer. The camaraderie was inspiring. It had rained earlier in the day so many seats were dirty. When we got there, I was about to just plop down on the dirty seat. A young man seated behind me gestured to wait and pulled out a napkin to share. I thought that was so nice. It’s the small gestures here that I find so moving. They happen daily. The kindness shared to one another is something I’ve never really experienced the way I have here. People literally squeezing to get to a seat across the isle with nothing but a hand to help for balance. I kept thinking about this happening in the US and how people would complain, or not necessarily help their fellow neighbor. I would love to bring this sense of community back with me.

Trip to Musanze

Many people travel during this week. Rita went to Vietnam and Kim went to Kenya! I had no plans so I went to Musanze! A couple weekends ago I went to an art gallery and met a new friend, Greg. Greg was a friend of the brothers who run Inema. He owns a travel company, Red Rocks Rwanda, based out of Musanze and kept encouraging me to come! It’s a 3 hour bus ride up a mountain. I figured why not! I have loved Kigali, and he continuously said how beautiful it was so I decided to go for it. I am SOOO glad I came here! I arrived on Sunday around 12/1 and was picked up by Peter. We walked back to the office where I was greeted by Greg! It was like seeing an old friend even though we had only met the one time! He gave me an overview of what we’d be doing. He has 2 different properties here; one in the city and one that he calls The Village. He said he would show me both so I could decide where I’d like to stay. After seeing the first one, we grabbed a bite to eat at a buffet that is popular in town. He knows everyone which is fun to see! We then head to the village. We drive through town and see people everywhere. Women and men carrying all sorts of things on their heads – some of what I’ve seen in Kigali, but much more present. We arrived at this beautiful, green, artsy place and he was like, “This is the Village!”. I was like, where the heck are we? It’s tucked away and is one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been. The weather is just perfect. It’s warm with a nice breeze. It rains about once a day. They have 3 types of rooms here at the village. One is a traditional room, whether 2 single beds or one double. Indoors. Then there is a tent with two twin beds in it built up on a platform. I elected for this option because I was going for more of a natural experience. Then there is a single person tent that is out on the lawn. Just outside my tent are 2 hammocks. This is where I’ve spend a good amount of time! I have been talking about buying a hammock when I get home so I can have a designated place to come up to and relax outside. Funny that it has hammocks – felt like a gift just for me!

Woke up for a 6am departure for Mount Bisoke! I am so glad I went hiking – even though it was nothing like what I was expecting. I will tell you, I’ve never seen anything like what I experienced here. I was thinking hiking through easy trails. A beginner friendly hike. BOY WAS I WRONG. We started in the rain. Luckily I have been traveling with a poncho and was able to finally put it in use. The unfortunate part about it raining was the amount of mud that was created. Our hike was a mix of dirt, mud and rock. I didn’t have the appropriate shoes with me because I don’t own hiking shoes. I was able to rent rain boots for $5. I was like Amazing! It’s raining. Well what rain boots don’t have is traction. I was literally slipping and sliding my way up and down the mountain. What would have been a challenging hike for me anyway, became the most challenging thing I’ve probably ever done. We started the hike through a farm; seeing men, women and children harvesting crops; cows and goats having their breakfast. I literally was just trying to take it all in. Then all of a sudden we are going up. Through tiny paths that only your body could fit through at the time. There were parts of the hike that only one foot could fit at a time. Walking through brush, piles and piles of mud; and then up slippery rock. I wanted to quit about 5 minutes in! I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to do it. They told us a story about how someone a few days ago had to get helicoptered out. I saw that being my fate. So here are a few things that I was continuously thinking during this hike up Mount Bisoke.

1. Take time to look up and notice the beauty that surrounds you. I was constantly looking down; watching my step and trying to figure out the easiest path. I continuously reminded myself that the journey is just as important as the completion. Because of this I was able to see monkeys swinging in the trees; the guides taught me about various plants. It was a much more enjoyable experience.

2. When you’re slipping in the mud, be careful what you grab on to for stability! I felt like I was in a movie. I was swishing and swashing all over the place. Luckily I don’t take much too seriously, including falling on my butt time and time again. Theo and January, my guides, continuously kept asking me if I was okay. I would literally slip in the mud at the easiest part. In this particular case, I grabbed onto a plant that they call the needle plant. It literally feels like you are getting stabbed. Which leads me to number 3.

3. Never let your guard down! I was continuously paying attention trying to figure out how to maintain balance, avoiding slippery portions and without fail the second I was in a flat area with what appeared to be smooth sailing ahead, I would slip and fall!

4. Two walking sticks would be better than one when mud is involved! #justsayin

5. The touch of someone’s hand has never felt so reassuring. There were moments where I just didn’t know if I could go any further. There were moments that I had to truly dig deep and push forward, committed to the climb. My guide would grab my hand and help me up or down a rock to ensure my stability and I have never felt so comforted and motivated all at the same time. Such a simple act that I continuously kept acknowledging. We were bonded the second he reached out his hand; with the comfort of a grandmother comes the compassion of a young African guide. It was magic!

6. When I got back to camp, I took they most glorious shower! This was the first true shower I’ve had in more than 20+ days! I felt like I was rewarded for a job well done!

I continue to think about life at home and how to best incorporate things from my trip. Some things just wouldn’t be as feasible as others. The bathing situation is something I think about quite regularly. I haven’t really missed showering per se, until I took a shower. I stood under warm water just amazed about how nice it feels to stand under warm water! However I got back to my home in Kigali and was so excited to boil my water for the ritualistic bath. I guess I continuously find myself on both sides of the coin. I feel in a lot of ways I am two different people and my goal is to do my best to merge and blend those two girls together.

That is my next journey! Balance of my selves.

I woke up in Musanze the next morning to the sounds of the birds chirping around 5 am. It’s the weirdest thing. Both in Kigali and here, the same thing. Birds with the most distinctive sound chirp at almost the exact time every day. I wish I knew what they were saying or how they know the time! It’s fascinating! I wake up mildly sore from the days hike. I eat breakfast and enjoy my morning cup of tea. I have no plans for the day but mentioned that I wanted to do a painting class when possible. I ended up doing this later in the afternoon with Zulu. It was AMAZING! He originally didn’t say much. I had to loosen him up a bit but I enjoyed the lesson so much. We painted two pieces. He gave me some pointers, laughed at me a few times, but all in all said I did a nice job. One of our paintings looks very similar so I think I made him proud!

I got to keep my paintings and they turned out nice so it turned out to be fun and a cherished take home at the same time! I spent the remainder of the afternoon reading and listening to music. I ended up meeting two girls who got to camp later that evening. Julia is currently stationed in Rwanda through her service in the Peace Corp and Mya, her sister, was visiting from DC. They were doing a stopover in Musanze heading to Gisenya. They were so nice and fun to speak with. All in all another great day in Musanze!

My final day in Musanze was recovering from an epic battle of food poisoning that needs not be discussed. I listened to a podcast, S-Town, which I learned about from the sisters the night before. Although I now realize it’s the talk of podcast town! I kept it low key and recovered, in hopes of traveling back to Kigali the following day! I slept INCREDIBLY well which was much needed and headed home on Thursday.

Musanze was such a great experience! I’m grateful that Greg invited me to stay and that his team ensured I had an amazing experience. I would go back in a heartbeat! But until next time!

The Balance Between My Selves…

What an interesting concept. That’s what I love about writing. You end up saying the most interesting things. Things that would never come out of your mouth. It’s the thing I find myself thinking about most though. It’s interesting that it came out that way. I fear that I won’t be able to maintain this me.

I guess I should explore what “this me” really means to me. Who is she? What parts of her do I want to keep? How can I merge what I love with life at home?

 

Where to start… Hm…

Who is this “new me” …

This new me has so much time. I feel like I’m living life so radically different. I can tell you how I’m spending my time. I don’t feel bored or the need to fill space in the day. I’m never rushing. I feel connected to the world. I notice the faces of those around me. I feel like I’m paying attention to my life for the first time ever. I feel the minutes go by. Not in a way where I’m watching the time go by anxiously, but in a way that time is cherished.

I enjoy things that take time. I enjoy making a meal and I enjoy that it feels like an activity not a means to an end. I don’t sit there like I need to eat. It’s a part of my day that is purposeful but relaxing in a way. It’s a process. It’s a time to spend talking with Ange or reading or listening to music. It’s time for me to think. To celebrate the day’s work or an epiphany I had. I guess all in all, it’s just more time.

I love the moto. I’m not sure I can take this one with me! Kigali is a small town. Riding a bike at home would not be a safe option. So I really need to deconstruct what it is I love about our the moto.

I never feel like I need… I don’t need more time. I don’t need more clothes, shoes. I don’t need a certain type of food to eat. I don’t need alcohol. I don’t need junk food. I don’t need a Target run. Everything I need fits in a carry on backpack and doesn’t exceed 20kg. To think about life at home, this is an area that will take some serious consideration moving forward.

I love the outdoors. I think I’ve always had the ability to love the outdoors, just not the experience. Meaning I’ve been camping at Ginnie Springs twice and loved it. 🙂 However I don’t choose outdoors stuff in Tampa, other than the beach or a boat. Which I plan to continue to do! I need to explore this further – like what can I do outdoors? I’m not going to turn into a marathoner, so running isn’t what I’m going for here. I need to explore this further.

I love writing. I feel like I process things that happen or conversations I have. I have been lucky to have genuine conversations, both at home and abroad. I guess the difference is here, I write about them. I think about them and capture the special moments. I am surrounded by the most intelligent people in Tampa, and have incredible conversations regularly. I somehow feel like they just slip through my hands and I don’t truly capture them. Journaling is something I must keep. I feel more in tune with my deepest self. I’ve truly felt like I’ve always known myself but perhaps myself without distraction feels different. Not sure.

I must keep traveling. Experiencing the world. Living in new places or at least visiting regularly. I feel like a global citizen and there is still so many places I want to see and experience.

Work: My goal with work is to find a job that allows me to #chooseAND. A job that allows me to feel like I’m making a difference, pushing an issue foward. Something that creates a movement. WHILE also allowing me to build a life. A life that includes a husband, children, and time for myself. A life where I continuously acknowledge the little things. A life that is slower paced; filled with tea, reading, lying on a hammock with my love; a life where I remember the joy of simplicity.

I realize the life I had before was my doing. I don’t want it to sound like my jobs were the issue. I allowed my job to become my life. My jobs have always crossed over to personal life. When you run a YP program, you meet your best friends. When you run a Women’s Group, naturally your friends all join! (Thank you for that!) This will likely always be my life. I have a passion for causes that you all do – so naturally our worlds will always mix personally and professionally. I actually find great value in that. It’s up to me to create new boundaries and ensure I am living the life I seek.

An to ensure it’s clear, I did and do love the life I had/have. I am just entering a new chapter. Someone recently said, “It’s so interesting. You were so confident in your lifestyle. Who you were.” I don’t mean to make it sound like I’m this totally different being, or dissatisfied with who I was, but I am entering a different phase; a new chapter. I have found happiness in solitude and simplicity which is a different place for me. It’s something I find myself sift through every time I ponder what’s next.

The Journey Home…

It’s weird to see these entries as today I am beginning my 35 hour journey home. I’m sitting on a plane heading to Addis Kababa, Ethiopia from Kigali. I am truthfully feeling very sad. I have pulled myself from tears on several occasions. I just can’t allow myself to let go enough to cry; yet, anyway. I just can’t believe how quickly my 30 days have gone. I have been so focused on time and enjoying moments. I can’t wrap my mind around how what seems so slow and enjoyable during a day, has quickly come to, what feels like anyway, a rushed close overall. I honestly don’t feel ready to go home. I love adventure, being in a new place, and figuring it out. I love finding new friends, enjoying new restaurants, and seeing new sights on a regular basis. I am looking forward to seeing friends and family, and I’m ECSTATIC to stand by Bonni’s side on her wedding day! I know life at home will be wonderful, I just wasn’t really ready for this amazing, life changing adventure, to come to an end.

It’s hard to describe, but I feel like in one flight home (or 4) my life is doing this crazy, 180 degree change.