A-Thank You, & A How's You're Mother

Good Day,

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone involved in this past weekend's festivities (& and I do mean everyone). We would not have pulled our Wedding thing off without all of your assistance (wait, does that sound weird?). I will not name names, but if you did anything, both Jen and I say a sincere thank you.

So now that this weekend is a memory, I look forward to our departure to Malawi in two weeks. Jen and I head out to Philadelphia in the wee hours of Friday September 25, where we will participate in our Peace Corps. Staging event (which will last approximately 12 hours), and then fly to Malawi in the wee hours of the 26th.

As with my Rwanda excursion, I will update my blog as often as I can, and will obviously do so for a much longer period of time while in Malawi (2 1/2 years people) Take care of yourselves. All of you.

Peace.

Where is My Mind?

Good Day All,

I have been back now for almost a week, and I have to be honest, besides getting to see those of you that I have (and those I still hope to), I'm not terribly excited to be home.  It's nothing personal, but I believe that my time here is about up; for good.

Some reasoning behind this:  I spent my second day back in the States shopping for ties for my upcoming wedding.  And although I'm truly thrilled about the prospects of a fantastic party in my (and I suppose my fiances of course--whew, that was close) name, I couldn't help but get pissed off at the ridiculousness of what we were doing and where we were (i.e. Large shopping mall attempting to buy stuff Vs. say helping people to improve their lives).  I felt out of place.

Long story short, I believe that I've become even more liberal (I know, I didn't think it was possible either) and conscious of how much S#*t we Americans consume/take for granted on a regular basis, and how pointless so much of it is (yes, yes English teachers.  I know that I shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition).  And I don't think that it's guilt I'm feeling, but instead the sense that I'm wasting time being here and not somewhere in Africa helping the family of the kids who don't have shoes, or water, or enough money to go to school, etc. (this is much more common than you'd think--and yes, I might be taking donations in all these areas in the future).  There was just so much I was exposed to in Rwanda that needs attention, and that is present in many other African countries.

Needless to say, Jen and I are extremely excited about leaving for Malawi at the end of September.  It seems to be calling both of our names in our dreams, and even while we're awake.  I also believe that we are going to be gone for longer than just 2 1/2 years for the Peace Corps.  There are so many NGOs and other organizations in Africa, that it would be foolish not to try and connect with them so we can stay longer.  Obviously, I'll update when this gets figured out, but I won't be shocked if we're in country for a couple of extra years at the least.  

But what do I know, I'm homesick for Africa.  I'll update sporadically for the rest of my summer, unless amazing things start happening in the place I currently call home (this will very likely not occur).  I'm not jaded, just sick of sitting still already.  Peace.

Going Back to Cali and other Random Nonsense

Good morning my fellow Americans,

I'm in Kigali with only two days remaining on this unbelievable trip, and have reached a point where Mutzig no longer has any effect upon me.  Really?  I think today's topics will be random things I've experienced in the past few days.

So, the water situation is the same:  Little pressure and no hot water.  I have to say that I've come quite accustomed to my early morning shower aerobics routine, and don't think I'll know what to do when I get home.  I'm sure I'll cope.

Mosquitoes:  When encountering mosquitoes, one should be careful to note the time of day.  dawn and dusk equal Malaria, and any other time equals Dengue fever.  Or they are disease free and just an annoyance.  Also, remember that if you do decide to squash one, don't use your hand;  I had the misfortune of doing this, only to find that the end result was my palm being completely covered in blood.  Awesome, I know.  Swearing ensued.

James Bond movies dubbed in French:  Completely Awesome.  Even though my knowledge of French is limited, James Bond (and his lady friends) still rocks.  Chauvanism is so easy to understand.

African Music videos:  These are also awesome.  I watched yesterday by a white South African rapper whose theme was that he loved college.  Quite an amazing piece of art if I do say so myself.  And I do.

Nigerian Soaps:  I know I'm starting to sound a little redundant, but these are awesome as well.  I think I may have mentioned these earlier.  Whatever the case, I have found that there are few things better than a Mutzig and terrible acting after a long day of "work."

This may be one of the worst entries I've written, but at this point, I'm so tired that I really don't even care.  If I like you, I'm sure I'll do a better job telling stories to you when I get back to the States.  Until then, Peace.

Muzungu Kris

Good evening everyone,

I hope that the two of you who are reading this blog semi sporadically are doing well. Again, I apologize for any typing errors, but I am still too lazy to find an English keyboard. Go figure.

I spent the first half of my day mountain biking with the founder of Project Rwanda and some of its workers/volunteers. We rode about 17 miles and shockingly enough, I survived. The scenery was amazing and so were the throngs of people who seemed to be cheering us on the entire way. Im still not sure whether they were actually there, or if this was yet another side effect of the mefloquine I quit taking almost a week ago. Thank you melfloquine. Regardless, the day has been fantastic.

Im definitely on the home stretch now, with only four days to go. I believe that I am ready to be done with our project=which we almost are, but I dont think that Im quite ready to say goodbye to Rwanda. Not much one can do about that though, at least for now. Ok, I suppose this is getting a little to serious for my blog, so I apologize.

I am here in Ruhengari for one more day, and then its back to Kigali for some wrap up stuff and shopping. Yes shopping, but not for any of you. I plan to buy myself a tee shirt and a mountain of Mutzig. I guess Im selfish like that.

Ok, enough. Peace.

Gorillas in my Mist

Hello people,

Updates since last time:

1) I have been too lazy to find a better computer/a non french keyboard

2) I am currently still malaria free and not taking my craptastic antimalarials

3) I have had my first intestinal battle in which I emerged victorious

4) I just returned from a day of mountain hiking, part of which I spent in extremely close proximity to over 15 gorillas.

So things are what they are here. I would provide more details, but this keyboard is making me want to strangle someone. Things should get better by Tuesday. And now my computer is attempting to commit suicide. Nice. Peace.

French Computers

I apologize for the shortness of this blog, but Im using a French keyboard. Updates: I have stopped taking my anti=malarials due to side effects and advice from an experienced colleage. I value my sanity over being malaria free. I should be fine though because it is the dry season here.

I have moved to Ruhengari and will be here until Tuesday doing random things of great importance Im sure. Its then back to Kigali for a few days, and then back to the States.

Other than that, Im looking forward to getting home and helping my softball team try not to get beat 34 to 0 again. Nice work boys. I am sure my return will only create more success. I will add more when I find a better computer. Peace

Bananarama!

My apologies to the two of you who are reading my blog irregularly; Internet access in Rwamagana is a little unpredictable. So here's an update:

My last entry ended with a statement regarding my intestinal fortitude. I was incorrect in my assumption. The situation has moved back to normal. I repeat, situation is normal (for the dense ones out there, this means I don't have mud butt). However, for those of you out there waiting for a poop story, one of my group had a "bedtime" accident Thusday night. Nice.

Besides this, cold water has become my closest companion, and I have set a new world record for the most bananas eaten in a 1 hour sitting. Take that Prime Quarter Steakhouse of southern Milwaukee (yes, I took that challenge too, but they didn't even have the foresight to realize that you need film to take a picture of a winner)!

I have been bouncing back and forth between Rwamagana and a number of other cities to conduct interviews and take video of varying water production centers and NGOs, and our overall project is about 3/4 of the way finished. I head to Kigali on Monday and Tuesday to do much of the same, plus one little catch; I will be the one getting videotaped. Apparently the rest of my group believes that it will be worth while for me to walk in the shoes of someone who collects water from a well that is VERY far away from their home (we're talking 6-10 miles of walking with I don't know how many jerry-cans on my shoulders). After I recover from my stroke, I'm planning on submitting our work to AFV. Stay tuned.

Other than that, I'm slightly sick of Rwamagana and ready to move on to Ruhengari to see mountain gorrilas, and to ride with the Rwandan National Cycling team (yes, I am that good). Again, I'll update pics/videos if I can, but don't hold your breath. There is internet in Rwanda, but not really the kind you can send the above with (at least not quickly). I'll most likely just post them when I get home.

One more thing. Internet cafe's here in Rwamagana rock, and not for their speedy access or beverages (beverages? what beverages?). Talk about a redeeming quality. As I write, there is a big screen tv with Rwandan reality tv on in the background. Simply put, it is one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed besides PeeWee Herman walking on the ceiling of his playhouse with homemade suction cup boots made of toilet plungers and ski boots (I actually tried this; my results did not match his--shocking, I know). Imagine this: Little to no script (somewhat resembling The Hills--wait, why do I know that?), fantastic synthesizer music, drama, and of course, three internet cafe employees watching attentitively (and me). You can't put a price tag on that (Actually, you can. It cost me 300 RwF.)

Alright, enjoy your weekend if you have one, I apologize for all the digressing, and Mikey, take it easy on the Mad Dog. Peace.