uganda take 2

I returned to Rwanda on Friday, exhausted, but satisfied, after having spent 7 wonderful days re-visiting the great country of Uganda.

Our trip began on a cold, Friday morning (5am to be exact) at the Nyabugogo bus park. From there, we boarded the bus that would eventually take us to Kampala, 10 hours later. The bus ride was pretty uneventful, except when a bird flew into the side mirror of the bus and died (coincidentally, we witnessed the death of yet another bird on the tail end of our trip, but those details don't need to be discussed). We arrived in Kampala around 3:00, checked into our guesthouse, and decided to stretch our legs a bit before our next 6 hour bus ride to Gulu. We walked on over to Silver Spurs, a restaurant with some pretty good comfort food to satisfy those cravings when you're a home away from home. What better way to get ready for the next leg of the trip than to fill your stomach with yummy goodness?

Anyway, traveling to Gulu was another early morning for us. We arrived at the Post Bus at 6am, waited one hour outside with tickets in hand before boarding at 7, and didn't actual depart until 8 (this, by the way, is pretty standard for public transportation here). Anyway, a few hours later we arrived in Gulu, the city I had been itching to get back to the moment I left. We checked into our guesthouse, and then immediately set off to go in search of old, familiar faces. I can't explain how strange it was to step foot into the Krochet Kids Compound, to feel like it was just another ordinary day going to work, but knowing that I was just there for a temporary visit. Well, upon entering the compound I was welcomed like I have never been welcomed before - hugs, kisses, traditional dancing and shouting, being hoisted and carried...I was even asked to sit on one of the lady's laps. A little strange, I know, but at the same time it was a little comforting. Needless to say, being back in Gulu made me miss it all the more.

After a few days in Gulu we traveled South to return to Kampala, which really, was just our transfer point in our journey before heading to Kabale to spend a few days at Lake Bunyonyi. We figured it would be pretty rewarding to actually have some time of rest instead of running around like crazy 24/7. Well, I've been told a lot of things about Bunyonyi: "it's a little gem," or, "it's a treasure," and even as far as, "it's paradise." Admittedly, I was skeptical, but after seeing Bunyonyi for myself, I have to say that all those are pretty accurate descriptions of this place.

Although I am already plotting my next return to Uganda, for now, I am content to be back in Rwanda and looking forward to staying put for the next few months. Even now, two days later, I am still recovering from the 35 hours of travel over the past 7 days. Unfortunately, if you want to travel cheap, you have to be willing to put in the time. Fortunately for me, every minute was completely worth it. I just need some rest before my next adventure!

Presbyterians, water parasites, and hot spring puddles

A few weeks ago, a few of my friends and I traveled up to Gisenyi to visit Lake Kivu, a popular weekend spot for East African residents and visitors.

After a 3.5 hour bus ride full of winding roads, steep inclines, and near-death experiences trying to pass slow moving vehicles, we made it to Gisenyi town. Upon leaving our bus, we were immediately accosted by a herd of motos that wanted our business. Unfortunately, none of them were familiar with the place we were staying at, and so it took about 10 minutes (and a phone call) to clarify things. A few hundred meters later (yes, we could have walked), we arrived at the Presbyterian Guesthouse. This guesthouse was chosen, not for its location, but for its price. Since we were all budget travelers, the idea of paying a few dollars for a dorm-style bed was all we needed to agree on making the reservation.

Well, we found our way to Reception, and after overcoming some misunderstandings and language barriers, we deciphered the meaning of what the lady was telling us: there were separate dorm rooms for guys and girls. Well, the married couple in our group did NOT like the idea of that, and neither did I, since the idea of the dorm room sounded fun mainly because we would all be together in the same room. Note to self: Presbyterians have strict, conservative rules. Needless to say, we changed our housing situation and were all much, much happier in the end.

We then made our way to the lake, which, according to multiple people, was only be a 10 minute walk from our guesthouse. I believe it ended up taking about 30 minutes (better late than never!), but our walking was generously rewarded when we found ourselves on the property of The Serena, an up-scale, fancy hotel for people that can afford it. After making ourselves comfortable on their beachfront property, we were told by one of the staff that it would cost us 3,000 RWF ($5) to sit on their lawn chairs - but we could use their pool facilities. In light of the rumors about parasites in the lake (talk about a whole new meaning to SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK), we did not need much convincing.

After splashing around in the pool, playing Bananagrams while waiting for our lunch to arrive, and taking a much needed nap by the lake, we decided to check out the nearby hot springs. We were shockingly disappointed to find that the hot springs were really only a few puddles of boiling water. We were not impressed. Not impressed at all.

We ended the night at the restaurant at Hotel Malahide Paradis. The place had a pretty sweet view of the mountains, fishing boats and some little islands. Unfortunately, the food was a bit overpriced and the rain forced us indoors, but the staff gave us some coals in a bowl to warm our feet, so at the very least it was a nice and toasty little evening.

Overall, I'd say it was a pretty awesome weekend getaway, and all for about 50USD per person. Not bad. Not bad at all.

*I apologize for the scarcity of pictures. Rwanda internet just doesn't want to play nice.

ignornace is bliss?

Generally speaking, most people have positive views on the world and humanity, unless something happens to turn that perspective around. Unfortunately, it doesn't always take something big to cause that change in mentality.

Two days ago, as I was leaving a tutoring session, I felt myself panicking as I realized I did not have my phone in its usual place of residence - my wallet. I figured I had left it at work, and so decided not to "freak out" until the next morning when I could search high and low for it. Well, as you can imagine, I arrived at work the next day and could not find my phone. I made the conclusion that someone must've taken it right off my desk where I had left it.

I shared this theory with my colleague, but she seemed to think that it had been stolen elsewhere (after all, only students come to the office and what student would steal my phone?). I decided to give our little GR family the benefit of the doubt, as I, too, did not want to think poorly of our students.

However, that same night, I went in search of a hard drive that I borrowed from my boyfriend, and could not find it in my room at home. Again, I told myself not to freak out, and that I would come to a conclusion as to whether it was gone after looking in and around the office at work. The next morning, I performed a thorough search of the office. No dice.

So, I can't say that I am mad or surprised that this happened. Living abroad for about 3 years is a long time not to have anything stolen. But, I have to say that I am disappointed in humanity. I am disappointed that even within our close circle of students and staff (and yes, it's possible that it was a complete stranger that just walked in), someone made this poor decision. I'm just very disappointed.

Oh well. I suppose this is humanity we're talking about, and there's not much else I can do but accept what's happened.

I will increase the honey of my personality!

Two weeks ago, GR began receiving 2011 Scholarship applications. We're currently in the midst of processing about 4500 applications (possibly more because we don't have a final count), since the deadline was last Friday. As you can imagine, it's been a lot of work entering data and processing all this information! However, there have been some highlights that have been getting us through...motivational essays! Ok ok...so perhaps not the essays themselves, but the content of these essays. We decided to start a quote board since some of our applicants are saying such motivational and wonderful things! I thought it would brighten up someone's day so here they are a few that have made it to the board:

• I will increase the honey of my personality.
• I want the riches.
• I will go with the speed of new vision.
• My career goal is to be a computer wizard or an IT.
• I will follow the orders of my country
• My goal is to succeed.
• My goal is to be a Christian, rich person.
• Now I am unemployed person then after getting support my life will be shinning.
  

a land of a thousand hills

It's 2:26 pm on a Friday afternoon, and I find myself unable to concentrate because of the rainstorm that has descended upon Kigali. The white puffy clouds and clear blue sky that was here only minutes ago has disappeared, and in its place, a sheet of rain has turned the city gray.

Since I arrived in Rwanda over a month ago, this is only the third rainstorm that has occurred. Our mini dry season must be coming to an end, since the last two rainstorms have been within the past two weeks. The weather affects everything, as it did in Uganda. And rightly so. There is no ability to fight the weather. Streets become flooded, moto transportation stop. What can one do when nature decides to act?

As I think about the unpredictability of life, and the insignificant amount of control in our lives that we have, I notice that the rain is slowly ceasing. The hill across the street that was completely invisible is now demanding its rightful place and its right to be seen. It is no longer covered by the sheet of gray; instead, there is an emergence of colors. Vibrant reds, greens, yellows and whites are now visible, creating shapes and sizes that the human eye identifies as houses and buildings.

Rain paves the way for sunshine.
Sometimes, in life, it just takes a bit of confusion to create clarity.

lions and tigers and bears...oh SAFARI!?!

Okay, so clearly there aren't tigers and bears in Africa, and the chances of seeing a lion in the wild is pretty impossible (unless you're a lion hunter, I guess), but there are gazells, warthogs, buffalo, crocodiles, elephants, hippos, and giraffes!

A few of us went on Safari, at Murchinson Falls, as a last hurrah before leaving Uganda. The trip, overall, was amazing, but I'll let the pictures do the talking.