Moving yet again. this time I'm relocating from the Rwandan capital of Gorillas and volcano mountains to a small little village on the way to my old home of Musanze from Kigali.
My new home is a village...one dirt road that leads at the end of it to the district hospital...the market here is open only twice a week and has 1 or 2 decent restaurants. On the bright side, I get to enjoy quiet time, clean air, and the view of the second largest mountain range in Rwanda.
To coupe with the slower pace in my new village I acquired some additional books to pass my evenings. On my immediate reading list are the following (as of Sept 12, 2009):
Recently finished: We Wish to Inform you That Tomorrow we will be killed with our families: stories from Rwanda by Philip Gourevitch, Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, Three Cups of Tea By Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Currently reading: The Big Necessity by Rose George
In my possession:
A Thousand Hills: Rwanda's rebirth and the man who dreamt it by Stephen Kinzer ,
Kilimanjaro: a Complete trekker's guide to Africa's Highest Mountain by Alexander Stewart
Book I refuse to continue reading: Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri. The writer is too negative and presumptuous!! unless someone can convince me that it gets better I'll leave it at chapter 2!!
Enroute from the my dear friend Huong back in Chicago:
Dead Aide by Dambisa Moyo and Niall Ferguson
Books I'd like to read: Mountains beyond Mountains
I'd like to watch: Real Time with Bill Maher, other HBO shows
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Wild Animals in Rwanda
Wild animals in Rwanda are very rare if at all in existance. Other than mountain gorillas (in the volcano national park), goats, cows, and sheep there are no wildlife in Rwanda at all. There aren't even stray dogs or cats!!
Rwanda is very dense with population and highly cultivated which leaves no room for wild animals. There are two main national parks in Rwanda, the Volcano national park which houses the Mountain Gorilla and Akagera National Park which boarders Tanzania and Uganda and houses more of a savanna type land scape. they supposedly have giraffes, zebras and other savanna type animals but not as much as in the Tanzanian side.
On the other hand, birding here is amazing and Rwanda is actually a destination for bird watching and ornithology, bird science. I come across many interesting birds almost on daily bases while on site (http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sites/index.html?action=SitHTMDetails.asp&sid=6777&m=0)
UPDATE July 31, 2009: I recently hiked mount Bisoke (3,711 m = 12,128 ft and third largest in this range) in Musanze. Mount Bisoke is a volcano mountain crowned with the crater lake and is home to the Amahoro Gorilla group. Our trekking guide mentioned to us that there are other mountain animals inhabiting the volcanoe national park. Although, our group of 8 hikers that day did not sight any animals we certainly did encounter signs of their presence such as fresh terd!! The poop apparently belonged to mountain buffalos and the mountain elephant, which I would love to see!!
Rwanda is very dense with population and highly cultivated which leaves no room for wild animals. There are two main national parks in Rwanda, the Volcano national park which houses the Mountain Gorilla and Akagera National Park which boarders Tanzania and Uganda and houses more of a savanna type land scape. they supposedly have giraffes, zebras and other savanna type animals but not as much as in the Tanzanian side.
On the other hand, birding here is amazing and Rwanda is actually a destination for bird watching and ornithology, bird science. I come across many interesting birds almost on daily bases while on site (http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sites/index.html?action=SitHTMDetails.asp&sid=6777&m=0)
UPDATE July 31, 2009: I recently hiked mount Bisoke (3,711 m = 12,128 ft and third largest in this range) in Musanze. Mount Bisoke is a volcano mountain crowned with the crater lake and is home to the Amahoro Gorilla group. Our trekking guide mentioned to us that there are other mountain animals inhabiting the volcanoe national park. Although, our group of 8 hikers that day did not sight any animals we certainly did encounter signs of their presence such as fresh terd!! The poop apparently belonged to mountain buffalos and the mountain elephant, which I would love to see!!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
4th of July Celebration
I'm actually writing this post and the post before from the US Embassy, Kigali library. Today is the 4th of July (US Independence Day) and the embassy is hosting a celebration for the US expatriates and their friends in Rwanda. (4th of July is also Liberation Day in Rwanda and is a national holiday)
I took an early bus this morning from my town to attend the celebration. I was excited to be part of the larger American community here in Rwanda and for a chance to network and meet with other people here and also to grab a burger and enjoy some American food. The speech by the Ambassador was very inspirational and reminded me and others of the role we all play in a small country in the central Africa. The service that we all have to offer in furthering the American dream in sharing liberty and development with the Rwandan people. I must say for a while I was able to overcome the challenges I'm facing during my service here.
Furthermore, the burgers and the potato salad were a score!! Although they were not the same juicy burgers from the States, and where is the popsicles at?!!
Cheers and happy birthday America
An amazing and Peaceful Ending to a Strange Day!!
The time is 10:45 pm Karen, my housemate in Musanze, just finished a late dinner and not wanting to go to sleep right after dinner (white rice, all Turkey SPAM, and corn) we decided we'll go out for a walk (my town turns into a ghost town after 7:00 pm) but with the moon lighting the sky we decided we would go never the less. As we walked down the dirt road under the moon-lit skies we came around a street corner we could hear some chanting, singing and clapping. Karen and I decided to follow the path to the source of the chanting which after passing a corn field and a barn with peeing cows, we reached a small house with covered windows and a small hidden door. At first I thought the door was locked from the outside which I thought was bazaar, but decided the push the door which opened into a small dark room (10x10) with wooden benches and pictures of the Virgin Mary on the wall. There were two ladies and a guy sitting on one of the bench next two another room behind a curtain. We sat down and could hear the chanting and clapping coming from the other room.
We were then led into the other room with one candle lighting the even smaller room. We first had to take our shoes off before going in there. The room had a few women sitting on the floor, two guys kneeling and another two guys standing. One of the two guys standing was leading the prayer and the others were yelling back screams and hallelujahs. One of the women stood up at some point and started tapping the floor with here bare feet and clapping her hands while shaking her head! We experienced this service (which Karen said is similar to Korean style Prayer) for about 30 minutes before the chanting stopped and everybody stood up and grabbed their flash light. Two of the guys in the group spoke English and after I introduced the two of us in my little Kinyarwanda, they welcomed us and invited us to join them as the continue praying except...
This time they were going to continue their praying in the forest! I looked at Karen and we both decided that it would be interesting to experience a Rwandan chant in the middle of the forest under the moon lit skies.
As we were preparing to head out, the women in the room starting flashing their flashlights on my feet and mumbling. I had my flip flops on and a pair of shorts. The discussion was around the flip flops and how they won't serve on the trek to the forest!! One of the guys looked under his bed and grabbed the nicest shoes he had and offered them to me. Then they grabbed two heavy jackets for Karen and I (it was a cold night out). As we realized that we were not well equipped for a night trek to the woods and participating in a prayer that was to end around 3 or 4 in the am. We decided that we would be better off if we go home with the promise to come back on Sunday. (stay tuned for the next round)!!
I was really touched by the whole experience and the spirituality in the chanting and dancing from the group of Rwandan's. I was also touched by their hospitality to two strangers walking into their house and offering us their shoes and clothes!! It was an amazing and peaceful ending to a rough day when just a few hours earlier I was accused of being racist to black people!! the same black people I chose to dedicate the next two years of my life professionaly working and growing with!!
We were then led into the other room with one candle lighting the even smaller room. We first had to take our shoes off before going in there. The room had a few women sitting on the floor, two guys kneeling and another two guys standing. One of the two guys standing was leading the prayer and the others were yelling back screams and hallelujahs. One of the women stood up at some point and started tapping the floor with here bare feet and clapping her hands while shaking her head! We experienced this service (which Karen said is similar to Korean style Prayer) for about 30 minutes before the chanting stopped and everybody stood up and grabbed their flash light. Two of the guys in the group spoke English and after I introduced the two of us in my little Kinyarwanda, they welcomed us and invited us to join them as the continue praying except...
This time they were going to continue their praying in the forest! I looked at Karen and we both decided that it would be interesting to experience a Rwandan chant in the middle of the forest under the moon lit skies.
As we were preparing to head out, the women in the room starting flashing their flashlights on my feet and mumbling. I had my flip flops on and a pair of shorts. The discussion was around the flip flops and how they won't serve on the trek to the forest!! One of the guys looked under his bed and grabbed the nicest shoes he had and offered them to me. Then they grabbed two heavy jackets for Karen and I (it was a cold night out). As we realized that we were not well equipped for a night trek to the woods and participating in a prayer that was to end around 3 or 4 in the am. We decided that we would be better off if we go home with the promise to come back on Sunday. (stay tuned for the next round)!!
I was really touched by the whole experience and the spirituality in the chanting and dancing from the group of Rwandan's. I was also touched by their hospitality to two strangers walking into their house and offering us their shoes and clothes!! It was an amazing and peaceful ending to a rough day when just a few hours earlier I was accused of being racist to black people!! the same black people I chose to dedicate the next two years of my life professionaly working and growing with!!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
MY NEW HOME away from HOME: Peace Corps Service; ***** Starz
Where: Northern Province City: Confidential (according to PC safety and security policy) Population: 350,000 (500 people/sq Km) Most prominent residents: the Mountain Gorillas (700) Attractions: the Virunga Mountains and the Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) Health Services: 1 District Hospital and 11 Health Centers (Centre de Santes) I recently relocate to this new site within the same organization (the Access Project). And although I dreaded the move my new accommodations are nothing but humble!! After a long day of travelling to remote villages and health centers off the beaten track assessing the current (or lack of) and empowering HC directors (titulaires) with effective management practices, I return to my 4bd /2 bath house to relax and unwind in my garden of banana trees, green beans, and white eggplant!! (and soon I'll be growing tomatoes, cilantro, and basil courtesy of my amazing family and the amazing care package they sent to me in the mail). Although I still to endure with my cold morning showers, the rest of my accommodations provide all levels of comfort. and in the age of technology and communication I have to get back to my blogging...
President Kagame commenting on Peace Corps
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, from what I was told, first came to learn about Peace Corps as a child as he had an English teacher in Uganda that was a PCV. Common story here from prominent people in the Rwandan society, such as the country director at Access Project, is that they were inspired by PCVs growing up.
President Kagame's support to the return of PC to Rwanda stems from his experience. You can read his latest inspiring comments in the Huffington Post at the link below. Such support resonates in the community and certainly gives us a positive push when the rough gets going and the going gets tough!!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20090609/cm_huffpost/213370
President Kagame's support to the return of PC to Rwanda stems from his experience. You can read his latest inspiring comments in the Huffington Post at the link below. Such support resonates in the community and certainly gives us a positive push when the rough gets going and the going gets tough!!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20090609/cm_huffpost/213370
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Care Package
I just received my first care package since arriving to Rwanda and you can't imagine the smile on my face at the moment of receiving a well sized small box in brown paper. The care package was sent by my best and dearest friend Ilona back in Chicago and in addition to all the love packed in there, here what Ilona also included:
Latest season of Family Guy (perfect for those many quiet nights at site with no entertainment)
Gummy Warms
Neon Sour Gummy Warms
Sour Patch Kids
Life Savers Gummies (ok I've developed a strange craving for anything sweet the past couple of months here!! I use to never like sweets)
tic tac (5 of them)
Packets of Dentyne Ice gum and Trident!
Oral-B tooth brush
Mint Waxed floss
AfterBite itch relief (this will come in handy following all those malaria infested mosquito bites)
lip balm
band aid
Extra strength Tylenol
Antibacterial hand sanitizing spray (can't get enough of this with all the kids I come in contact with)
And of course a cute little note from Ilona... I love you girl :o)
p.s. I specially requested gummy bears and am attacking those right now. so gots to go.
CIAO
Latest season of Family Guy (perfect for those many quiet nights at site with no entertainment)
Gummy Warms
Neon Sour Gummy Warms
Sour Patch Kids
Life Savers Gummies (ok I've developed a strange craving for anything sweet the past couple of months here!! I use to never like sweets)
tic tac (5 of them)
Packets of Dentyne Ice gum and Trident!
Oral-B tooth brush
Mint Waxed floss
AfterBite itch relief (this will come in handy following all those malaria infested mosquito bites)
lip balm
band aid
Extra strength Tylenol
Antibacterial hand sanitizing spray (can't get enough of this with all the kids I come in contact with)
And of course a cute little note from Ilona... I love you girl :o)
p.s. I specially requested gummy bears and am attacking those right now. so gots to go.
CIAO
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