this is one of those times.,
So........
Having been a muzungu (white person) in Rwanda for 2 months now one would think that I'd be an expert on all things Rwanda. Hahahahaha not even close. Kinyarwanda is seriously one of the most challenging languages to learn. I'm slowly getting the hang of it but it's def. at a snail's pace. I think that once I move to site in a couple of weeks where I'm doing community outreach and teaching health stuff (and english), I think my Kinyarwanda will pick up.
I feel like so much time has passed since landing in Kigali that night in January. I've made lifelong friends here already. We've all seen each other in various states of sickness as well as language faux pas (darn the difference of one letter changing everything!)
So, what's happened so far? Well, there's too much to say. We've had an earthquake, what? I've traveled around the south and east and Northern provinces (and seen volcanoes in the distance). Hiked in the jungle and saw monkeys (one totally tried to steal my friend's sandwich which is hilarious b/c he LOVES food and wasn't having any of it...) There's so much to say. So apologies right now for being that girl who only tells PC stories for a long time. I live with an LCF (language and Crosscultural facilitator) which is totally cool. I really love her so much and she is so patient with me in my constant fumbling of Kinyafranglish (blend the three languages).
Two---Yes, ok, so I'm that kid. Who got malaria. For those of you who are linked to this blog by other PCVs in my group, yep that girl who got sick is me! For all you future volunteers, malaria is a scary word to your parents. So, let them just breathe through it. Everyone has different cases of malaria and thankfully mine wasn't that bad (or at least what I think was malaria...the clinic here said it was so we'll just say yego, it was). But mine was like flu-plus and I was extremely tired with a cyclical fever. And my body just hurt. So, that was my happy happy Valentine's Day! Probably one of the most memorable ones so far. But everyone checked on me and were all so sweet (well from what I can actually remember in my feverish haze). So now, some call me malarial and another guy calls me Typhoid Taylor....ni bibi! (no good)
Oh and went to a graduation at a university recently. So cool! it's a big production and we got to sit under some shade (thank goodness b/c my muzungu skin would have burned). They called out all the names of the graduates. Of those who graduated, the majority were men. (there are programs that are trying to get more females to go to university). Graduates were also of varying ages. People don't necessarily go to college directly after secondary school here.
Graduation parties were filled with toasts, speeches, and singing. One of our friends was given a cow for graduation.
For many of you who don't know, cows are a big deal in Rwanda. As part of dowries cows are exchanged between families. The man will give the girl's family cow(s).---in the city in can be substituted for money. But this isn't a requirement by the state or anything to get married. As far as I can tell it's more of a tradition. But I know I'll be going to lots more so keep you posted.
Language lesson:
Ndi ingaragu----I'm single. Well that's what it was supposed to mean but really it means I'm single and sleep in my bed alone. And is sort of an invitation?! so no wonder everyone laughed at me when I said it at a work MEETING!!!! Bah, I was so embarassed. These are the moments were you think, ok I'll never forget how to say that ever because of this moment. Like the word salt is dangerously close to a not so good word. And "gusura" has two meanings- to visit and to pass gas...and "to read/ to kiss" are gusoma the same word! Oh complicated!
But I do miss everyone back in America and have had serious food cravings---grilled chicken salad, raw veggies, an apple! yumm. and miss LOST (what is happening!?_) and the Office. But anyone feel free to post questions or email me and I'll answer them and post/email back
PS future PCVs
what to pack
If you're like me and were searching blogs for what to pack, here are the things I have found useful so far:
Nalgenes
Chacos (50 Percent discount too)
Books
Laptop
Good rain jacket
A Watch (majorly important)
Headlamps (so important too)
longer skirts (at least to my knee)
Pictures (should have brought more b/c host fams will want to see your American family)
Headbands girls!
Journal
Pens
Movies
Should have brought a little external hard drive but didn't
