Komera, Komera (Be Strong, Be Strong)

As we landed in Kigali around nighttime, I thought about what it felt like to be in Africa for the first time.  It was surreal. As I stepped off of the plane, the air was warm  and the ground dewy. It was raining and we took a small transit bus from the tarmac to the airport. We grabbed our luggage, packed them into the Peace Corps vans, and headed off to the Peace Corps Case de Passage.  It was a three story office/housing hostel for volunteers when they come into Kigali.  

We were greeted by Gordy, the assistant country program director, and Moop, the program trainee manager, who welcomed us to Rwanda and talked to us about Peace Corps and what we would expect for the three months of training. After we all took our beds, we hung out a little and then went to sleep. In Kigali, we took two days to take care of official business (debit cards, identification cards, bi-weekly allowance, bike fittings, etc.) 

On Sunday, we went to Kamonyi District, in the Southern Province and started official training followed by meeting our host families.  Everybody had jitters about meeting their homestay families—including me. My family is Bonke, a Pentecostal family in the village in Kanyiya. I have four teenage host sisters and two young host brothers. 

My first night at my host family was in one word, rough. I couldn’t use the latrine and my room scared the hell out of me.  I called home for the first time and had my first I want to go home moment. Yes, the very first night. I had a good couple of days learning Kinyarwanda, getting acquainted to the community, and learning medical information before my second crash, which took place yesterday. I’m having some challenges facing some of the fears that are a part of everyday life in Rwanda (darkness at night, critters) and had a breaking point where I thought I was most likely going to go home.  BUT, after a few pep talks with mom, dad and Moop, I’m back on board and trying to be komera, komera (be strong, be strong).  Peace Corps has been a little rough for me so far, but I need to remember why I’m here and dageragiza (try). 

#watching the sun setting

En Brussels!

So I packed my bags, left for Philadephia and completed my staging for Peace Corps Rwanda!

For those who are curious about what I packed, some things did not end up making the cut in the end. I took out some things that was making my bag overweight (airline policies) and resigned to bringing everything else. My mom and I brought a scale the day before staging to make sure my bags were not overweight--and behold, they were! One of my bags was over 80 pounds, so some things had to go. All the essentials stayed though. 

It was hard saying goodbye to my parents--but not as bad as I thought. I cried to be honest, but my mom and dad didn't which was good for me. 

Philadelphia was great--I met the 36 other Peace Corps volunteers in my group, who all are great. We did some icebreakers, ran down the Peace Corps trainee agenda and had dinner. The next day it was off to the airport. 

We got to JFK at around 12:00 p.m. in the afternoon with two buses filled with luggage. All of us had at least two bags on us. Some, four. It took us about three hours to check in, get our tickets and go through security. I waited behind the group for a last minute goodbye with my sister and brother. And also to call everyone I didn't get a chance to speak to before I left. 

We were delayed in the airport for about two hours with multiple gate changes, and then again on the plane for another two hours which meant that we were going to miss our flight to Kigali from Brussels. Which also meant that we got TO SPEND A DAY IN BRUSSELS! 

We arrived in Brussels around 12:30 p.m. the next day and went to the hotel across the street from the airport. We dropped our things, took showers and headed out to the city. Brussels was amazing! I had always wanted to visit Brussels and it was crazy that I was able to do it on official business time. I had chocolate, frites with spiced mayo, and of course Delirium Tremens. It was a great time overall, we all had fun in Brussels. I had an AMAZING day in Brussels. I kinda wanted to say "En Bruges".

#listening to soccer fans cheer! Black and Yellow, Black and Yellow...

Up and Running, Three More Days To Go Until Staging

So two things are up and running three days before Peace Corps staging in Philadelphia: my first blog (hey everyone!) and me--literally--as I rush to finalize packing, last-minute paperwork and spending time with family before the big day. After this summer, I've come to love and hate my suitcases as they have been my companions on much-needed and appreciated visits with family members and will now be packed once more as I prepare to leave for Rwanda on the 15th.

How do I feel about leaving for Rwanda for 2 years and 3 months? Great! But also: anxious, nervous, unsure, a bit scared. These feelings are not unusual for me. I went through them before when I spent my summer before senior year of high school in Thailand. I know these are normal feelings to have before having a completely brand-new experience.

But--this is just not just a brand-new experience. I'm going to Rwanda with the Peace Corps to try my hand at sustainable development in a fascinating country that has a mountain of catastrophic history it is currently climbing over. A piece of history that I've studied in college but never thought I'd have a chance to relate to first-hand. I'm sure as I get to meet, know and befriend the people of Rwanda, there will inevitably be a mixed-bag of experiences that I have relating to the genocide of 1994.  For now, I'm ready--but this might change with the first experience. I found out today that during the first week of training, Peace Corps trainees (PCTs) are taken to a genocide memorial in Kigali, where bodies are displayed and preserved from how they were found in the building after the genocide. Previous trainees have taken this visit well--others not so much.

Overall, I'm ready to go to Rwanda. My family also seems ready for me to go to Rwanda (and are already ready to visit)! They've already planned an early 2013 trip. Hint, hint to my friends out there. I've posted all of my contact information in the Contact Me/Mail Section so that you know how to reach me during my post. I'll be looking forward to your letters,emails, calls, care packages...

#watching: Y Tu Mama Tambien