Haha. So, I clearly sucked at blogging. My deepest appologies. Telling you people about my time in Rwanda ended up being my last priority, hopefully that is understandable.
I am in Brussels right now, and missing Rwanda horribly. Its actually really eerie coming here, because you can see Rwanda everywhere. Since Rwanda is a Belgium colony, there is a lot taken from the country. For example, there is Primus (the beer I drank every night in Rwanda), fries everywhere, amazing sauces, etc. I am reminded of Butare all the time, but yet its so different here.
Our last weekend in Rwanda we went to Kigali to party - and it was a time as usual. In our last week I went to a pottery cooperative, we had a peds party, had our preceptors over for supper and drinks. I was so sad all week because I knew the inevitable was coming. I fell in love with Rwanda and made amazing relationships there, it was painful to think that I wouldn't be back any time soon.
But then, I got great news! I got an interview for the Coady position at KHI teaching nursing... and I found out last night that I got it!! So, the just of it is, I have never been happier. I can feel like everything is right with the world again. And also I find now I am able to enjoy the rest of my travelling more since I don't have to be sad about Rwanda. SCHWING!!
So, the plan is... Leave Brussels either tomorrow or the next day, and travel to Italy, where I will spend the rest of the month, ending in Naples. I really wanted to get back to Greece, but with the expense and time constraints I just don't think its worth it. Ok - I have to go eat some waffles or something!! Happy reading!!
Rwanda bound.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
i must be getting better at this...
Or maybe the internet is faster...
I can't even remember what i said in my last blog... umm.. I think that the gorillas is new!! We went on the weekend, it was un-fucking-real. We saw the largest silverback gorilla (aka the BOSS!!!) in the world. I took a bunch of videos which I can post to fb when i get home. It was insane. getting there was like walking through a prehistoric jungle, and the gorillas were SO beautiful. so majestic. (side note Miray: "It could rip your dick off like a celery stock, throw it in the tall grass, never to be seen again!!!!")
Work at the hospital is nuts. I went to neonatal this week, and spent today in medicine. My patient today was just devastating. I don't feel right talking about it with god knows how many people, but let me just say that we must always be thankful for the lives we have been blessed with. We really can't even begin to understand how great we have it. Everday in the hospital is so tragic. The emotional stress is just exhausting. But everyday I go to visit my favorite peds patient (is that bad to have a fav? I dont care.).. his name is Patrick, and I feel like he's my own. He is 9 years old and just such a badass but such a great man (thats right, man). I took pics with him too so you can all see him when I get home *i wish i was bringing him with me*
I'm not sure what else i can tell you. I am going to a rural health center tomorrow, which i have been eagerly anticipating since that is the kind of work I want to do, I'm sure it will be an eye opener. Everything is here.
Thats all for me. Oh wait, no its not. Just one other thing. My legs look like they have herpes I have so many mosquito bites. and they are not the average bites. they are the size of a person's finger pads. YEAH. Calamine lotion is literally saving my sanity.
annnnnnnnnnnnd THATS all. hah.
Good night, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite! (oh yah, and a bunch of us got bed bugs too. Luxery.)
I can't even remember what i said in my last blog... umm.. I think that the gorillas is new!! We went on the weekend, it was un-fucking-real. We saw the largest silverback gorilla (aka the BOSS!!!) in the world. I took a bunch of videos which I can post to fb when i get home. It was insane. getting there was like walking through a prehistoric jungle, and the gorillas were SO beautiful. so majestic. (side note Miray: "It could rip your dick off like a celery stock, throw it in the tall grass, never to be seen again!!!!")
Work at the hospital is nuts. I went to neonatal this week, and spent today in medicine. My patient today was just devastating. I don't feel right talking about it with god knows how many people, but let me just say that we must always be thankful for the lives we have been blessed with. We really can't even begin to understand how great we have it. Everday in the hospital is so tragic. The emotional stress is just exhausting. But everyday I go to visit my favorite peds patient (is that bad to have a fav? I dont care.).. his name is Patrick, and I feel like he's my own. He is 9 years old and just such a badass but such a great man (thats right, man). I took pics with him too so you can all see him when I get home *i wish i was bringing him with me*
I'm not sure what else i can tell you. I am going to a rural health center tomorrow, which i have been eagerly anticipating since that is the kind of work I want to do, I'm sure it will be an eye opener. Everything is here.
Thats all for me. Oh wait, no its not. Just one other thing. My legs look like they have herpes I have so many mosquito bites. and they are not the average bites. they are the size of a person's finger pads. YEAH. Calamine lotion is literally saving my sanity.
annnnnnnnnnnnd THATS all. hah.
Good night, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite! (oh yah, and a bunch of us got bed bugs too. Luxery.)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
FINALLY!
SORRY i have not blogged yet... the internet is brutal obv. so i dont think this is going to be quite the operation i had planned, although I will try my best.
What can i say about Rwanda.
First of all, this country is more beautiful and stunning than anything anyone could have dreamed. I will never get over it. It shocks me every day. The land of a thousand hills really is something of gods.
Apart from the landscape, the people here are unreal. I have met and learned so much from Rwandans. They just have such a way about them, i can't even describe it. Tomorrow is a national holiday as it is the "official" beginning date of the genocide. I don't know what to expect. You can feel the soul of the country. The best way I can say it is that it is such a sweet sorrow. I don't even know what else to say.
There is so much I don't and can't understand. I am learning about myself and others everyday. Everyday there are wonders and challenges and lessons that I never would have dreamed of.
Right now I am working on the Peds unit, and i love it. These kids are so amazing, and their parents and families - I can't even begin to talk about it.
The group spent last weekend in Kigali - we went out to Cadillac which is the club here, and let me say - Rwandans know how to party. We went to the genocide memorial on Sunday... and thats another thing that there is just too much to say, too much there, and this blog does not give it the respect and consideration it needs.
This weekend, we will be going to trek for the gorillas, which I am very excited about.
I haven't had any trouble adjusting, I was instantly in love with this country. The girls in the group, we are really starting to get close and get to know each other. There have been countless laughs on this trip - the lack of sleep helps I'm sure.
Our day starts at 530, and we work at the hospital until 3pm. Then its usually going home and chilling, doing laundry (all by hand), reading, napping, going to the market... whatever.
One of the things I would say I love most about Rwanda is the way of the people. Even just the small things... Everyone here holds hands, it is a sign of friendship. I always feel so loved here. Everyone says hello, and being white means everyone wants to know you. We are constantly touching and being touched, constantly saying hello and asking how people are doing, how their families are doing, and getting the same love in return.
I have made absolutely amazing friends here that I would not trade for the world.
And everyone is so damn beautiful here, men and women alike. I can't stop looking at them.
Like mom said, my french is REALLY coming in handy. I am trying my best to learn Kinyarwanda but its not that easy.. slow and steady though! And everyone here wants to learn english, so we swap our knowledge! :)
All of this blog is just not enough. I can't stress enough that this is such a disservice to Rwanda! It is more amazing and interesting than I could ever put into words! But, luckily I am taking lots of pictures (although they also could never do it justice) and will be getting them on facebook whenever I get home.
I guess thats it for now... the internet cafe is about to close. Im sorry I haven't been able to do this more, but we are super busy and the internet is the last thing on my mind lol. If any of you have specific questions feel free to post up and I'll do my best to answer them when I can!!!
Love you all :) xoxox
What can i say about Rwanda.
First of all, this country is more beautiful and stunning than anything anyone could have dreamed. I will never get over it. It shocks me every day. The land of a thousand hills really is something of gods.
Apart from the landscape, the people here are unreal. I have met and learned so much from Rwandans. They just have such a way about them, i can't even describe it. Tomorrow is a national holiday as it is the "official" beginning date of the genocide. I don't know what to expect. You can feel the soul of the country. The best way I can say it is that it is such a sweet sorrow. I don't even know what else to say.
There is so much I don't and can't understand. I am learning about myself and others everyday. Everyday there are wonders and challenges and lessons that I never would have dreamed of.
Right now I am working on the Peds unit, and i love it. These kids are so amazing, and their parents and families - I can't even begin to talk about it.
The group spent last weekend in Kigali - we went out to Cadillac which is the club here, and let me say - Rwandans know how to party. We went to the genocide memorial on Sunday... and thats another thing that there is just too much to say, too much there, and this blog does not give it the respect and consideration it needs.
This weekend, we will be going to trek for the gorillas, which I am very excited about.
I haven't had any trouble adjusting, I was instantly in love with this country. The girls in the group, we are really starting to get close and get to know each other. There have been countless laughs on this trip - the lack of sleep helps I'm sure.
Our day starts at 530, and we work at the hospital until 3pm. Then its usually going home and chilling, doing laundry (all by hand), reading, napping, going to the market... whatever.
One of the things I would say I love most about Rwanda is the way of the people. Even just the small things... Everyone here holds hands, it is a sign of friendship. I always feel so loved here. Everyone says hello, and being white means everyone wants to know you. We are constantly touching and being touched, constantly saying hello and asking how people are doing, how their families are doing, and getting the same love in return.
I have made absolutely amazing friends here that I would not trade for the world.
And everyone is so damn beautiful here, men and women alike. I can't stop looking at them.
Like mom said, my french is REALLY coming in handy. I am trying my best to learn Kinyarwanda but its not that easy.. slow and steady though! And everyone here wants to learn english, so we swap our knowledge! :)
All of this blog is just not enough. I can't stress enough that this is such a disservice to Rwanda! It is more amazing and interesting than I could ever put into words! But, luckily I am taking lots of pictures (although they also could never do it justice) and will be getting them on facebook whenever I get home.
I guess thats it for now... the internet cafe is about to close. Im sorry I haven't been able to do this more, but we are super busy and the internet is the last thing on my mind lol. If any of you have specific questions feel free to post up and I'll do my best to answer them when I can!!!
Love you all :) xoxox
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)