Mom’s Rwanda Wrap-Up

Home in Fredericton, after my Tour de Rwanda with Caroline. I am cold, and lonely. Wonder if I will ever wear all the great jewelry I got, as it will seem out of place here. Like an orchid in a cow barn.

I miss the moto’s, African tea, sunshine and heat. Do not miss walking uphill and really dirty feet. I miss Caroline, and her roommate Lauren. Wonderful hosts. They have an impressive lust for food. Surpassed only by their exuberance for life.

Have met some people I will remember for a long time. Peter, Egide, Hilaire, Eric, Mo, and Jonas. They might not have a Visa Gold card, but they have the ability to make you feel welcome, and special. Black is the new gold.

Caroline had her Jurassic Park moments. And I was there to share it with her. That’s what I liked the most – being able to fly half-way around the world to spend time with Cano. The child who took care of me in her adopted country. I got to stand back and watch her. I was humbled.

The sights of Rwanda will stay with me for a long time. I want them to. Their memories will rescue me, when life just gets a bit too foolish here.

Mom's First Blog, written Dec 6th

TIA.

This is Africa.

Last night went to pick up luggage, which did not come with me.  It was open, and yes, the electronics I brought for “the people” were missing.  Yes, that happens in Canada too, however, the paperwork here is a little more challenging. I pretty much had a breakdown.

Rwanda really is the Land of a Thousand Hills. Makes running hills in Fredericton seem rather pointless. Jesus, fill two large jugs with water, and walk up a half-dozen hills to get home, and there’s your workout. 

Cano lives at the end of a very sketchy dirt road. I have to hold hands with her at night walking home. The same situation would be unheard of in Canada. It would be too dangerous.

She has no running water. Well, there was water Saturday morning for a couple of hours. That means the toilet does not flush. Got that? I have been scolded for using three cups of water from the boiled supply per day. Yes, I washed my face, and brushed my teeth three times a day. I have since cutback.

My lungs are sick. Air pollution in Kigali is remarkable.

TIA.

This is Africa.

Peter has his tuition. He is registering for school this week. He is grateful, gentle, and so appreciative of the opportunity to get a degree. Sustainable kindness.

The roads impress me, cleanliness (exception – dreadful air quality), developing infrastructure (exception – water supply), skilled matatu drivers.

As we drive through the countryside on the small, very packed bus; the

children are thrilled to see my white face, and wave and shout. Maybe they think I’m Angelina Jolie.

Tonight is Trivia Night at some Italian Restaurant. I am due for some competition.

Long Is Afternoon Shadows

Mom and I had the pleasure of a three hour bus ride to Kibuye today, and that is not at all intended to be sarcastic.  These hills never fail to move me.  Never fail to bring me back to center, back to what I need.  Because sometimes I forget.  I don’t know why, maybe it’s my task-oriented western culture or maybe it’s my own freakish mind, but I get so wrapped up in things that are or aren’t happening thousands of miles and minutes away from me.  I am unintentionally escaping this experience.  I drift into the future – what will happen, what will I do, where will I be, what is the next thing – and I forget what is going on right in fucking front of me. 

These hills remind me.

It’s so easy to slip into it, so easy to focus on what is to come instead of what is here.   Because yes, I am going to have to find some sort of employment, an apartment, feed myself, and support myself (not to mention repay my debt to my father and the ever-looming government of Canada).  And yes, there are relationships with people that I have back home that I want to keep, or even develop.  And there are things about home that I don’t want to lose or forget about or put on a backburner.  But how can I accomplish all of this without sacrificing the uniqueness and wonder of this opportunity I am living?  

What I really need is balance. 

Libra seeking balance.  What else is new.  Christ.

Slow down. Breathe. Be here. Open your eyes.  

Giver.