I went BOLD crazy for this entry

A lot has happened since my last real update. I’m feeling a bit tired right now from my temporary move (see below), so I’ll just list random stuff that happened in no particular order. (I’ve added on to some of the things below since I took some time to upload this blog entry)

- In-Service Training at Kibuye on Lake Kivu with the other PCV. We spent an entire week discussing our first 3 months at site and projects we are working on and issues we are having. It was extremely helpful and I brought back great ideas to the Cooperative of PLWHA and Hospital I work at. Plus, it was great seeing everyone together again and the location was perfect.

- FINALLY participated in Umuganda…well sort of, but I’ve gotten closer than ever. I visited a fellow PCV (Sonia) in Kigali and we heard a crowd of people singing, shouting and clapping marching down the road. Sonia took a pic and people were telling us to join them and so we went along since neither of us have done it before. It was a lot of marching, clapping and dancing from about 8AM to 10AM and when we finally got to the site where people had to work (local Cemetary), we were waiting around for an hour before people started actually working. We left at 11AM and didn’t Umuganda is mandatory Community Volunteer work that happens every last Saturday of the month. Transportation all over the country stops from 7AM till 11AM and all stores are closed during this time. Everyone is obligated to do it, even the President himself. I will say however though that people think ‘Muzungus are incapable of doing it due to the physical labor and believing we are somehow delicate. No joke. I’ve been told to just clean my room instead. Ok…

- Went to a Dowry Ceremony and rode a taxi bike…both first time experiences on the same day. It was terrifying riding the bike as a passenger, but cheap. I went to the Dowry Ceremony with an American friend that lived in my village and we were somehow made honorary guests and given seats instantly when we arrived even though the place was packed. Afterwards was the Church Ceremony, but I was way too tired from the 3 hour bus ride that morning from Kibuye back to site. Plus, my ankle was hurting from slipping on moss and falling into Lake Kivu. Bruised up my entire left side of my body. My camera battery was low, so I didn’t get to take pictures. However, there will be many more weddings and I am always asked to go because they feel it is an honor to have a ‘Muzungu there.

- Another American moved into my village and so there were 3 Americans, including myself, here for a few weeks…but now I’m back to be being the only ‘Muzungu living here

- Got sick, felt better and then got sick again…now I feel better again!

- Ate turkey at my resource family’s house in Kigali, but it didn’t really taste like turkey

- Planning on going to Egypt in October to see the folks…hopefully!

- Met a VSO (Canadian) who works in my Sector and will be here for a year

- Wrote up a proposal for Books for Africa (along with some my fellow PCVs) so hopefully it works out and my local Secondary School (equivalent to High School and then some) will get some books/computers through fundraising

- I’ve moved back to the Guesthouse in the Hospital…just for 3 weeks though while the church’s visitors are here. I’ll be back “home” by the end of September. Mayor promised electricity by August of this year and since we have a few days left, I am thinking that’s not happening. People are hoping to have electricity here by next August. Still think it’s weird how the district I live in is right next to Kigali and yet, we aren’t connected to the electric power grid.

- Got amazing packages from family and friends…but one of the packages had maggots. Some of the best things were Axe Deodorant Sticks, Chipsahoy, Instant Oatmeal, Zebra Cakes.

- I finally received two postcards sent from my friend Michelle when she was in Iceland back in March! I also got another postcard from my friend Jean when she visited Istanbul. I can’t wait to travel…

- I’ve been in Rwanda for 7 months!

- A friend at the hospital had a baby last month and I’ll be going to a Baby Naming Ceremony (Kwita Izina) in a few weeks. The baby has a Christian name already (given by the 8th day of being born), so now he needs a Kinyarwandan name and everyone at the party will be asked to give one. I need to think of something awesome…

- I think I am becoming Rwandan after this happened: I was heating up water to take a warm bucket bath and as I was in the kitchen a hairy spider the size of my first scared the crap out of me and my immediate reaction was to say “Ego ko Imana”, which translates to ”Oh my God”..no joke

- Found out 14 PCVs from Mauritania (their volunteer program was recently suspended) will be joining the new group of volunteers coming here in October

- The front door to the house came off the hinges and broke again

- My English class (teaching Hospital Staff) continues to be awesome and there are a few weeks left before we finish the Beginners Level and then I’ll throw them a party with Sambosas, Chapatti and Fantas (they don’t know it yet). Now that I think of it, I have no idea what to do for Intermediate Level. I’m sure I’ll think of something by then…

- Working with my fellow PCVs to organize a Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) in November. We are planning about a week worth of events and activities. Definitely looking forward to it.

- Still working on giving presentations to Community Health Workers and at some of the Health Centers (time and transportation is an issue on going to each Health Center monthly).

- Getting an awesome bed frame built for my room and hopefully it will be ready by the time I move back to my house.

- I am tired of my same old clothes. I want to wear something different. I need to shop at the market in the next town over for shirts.

- My current favorite movie is Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist because it was filmed in NYC and I love seeing the city neighborhoods and being reminded of home.

- Thanks again for the support. I promise to take more pics and vids (check out my youtube link below). Leave a comment…I look forward to reading them!