Disclaimer: Internet has been quite janky the past week so there won’t be any pictures with this post.
Really I should be working on homework right now…but instead I’m writing a blog update because I haven’t in a while. I thought I would share with you about our daily adventures here in Kigali. We have recently been shopping like mad for souvenirs to bring back with us…I think I’ll be leaving half my clothes here in an effort to bring back all the lovely treasures I have collected (don’t worry–its not ALL for me). We have been getting some really sweet clothes made at the local market, Kimironko. We have a special friend named Josephine who runs her own stall, selling amazing African fabric and making us the various clothing designs we bring in. I’ve had some fun pants and shorts and dresses made…all in crazy beautiful fabrics that only Africa can provide. We have also discovered this really neat Co-op where women who have contracted AIDS because of the violence enacted against them in the genocide come together and use their sewing prowess to create wonderful bags, computer cases, pillow cases, and many other crafty things. It’s like walking into a rainbow paradise where you want to spend every cent you have to support these women and also walk away with some marvelous keepsakes.
So besides spending money, I have been making some invaluable memories by visiting my friends from the Center for Champions. Like I’ve said before, many of them are in Kigali during their holidays and are staying either with some of the other boys or with various family members. We have been blessed to be invited to visit many of them in their homes. Its always an adventure trying to find our way around to the various corners of Kigali. Once you get out of Town, you find yourself in another world. The houses are much closer together–its like a maze that you have to walk through. We even had to climb a mountain….Our friends Bruno, Amani and Donat invited us over and we were really excited. We rode the bus into Kichikiro and met them at the bus stop there. We were told beforehand that it was a 15 minute walk to their house from the bus stop…but of course, a Rwandan 15 minutes is actually about 40. We finally walked into this small, green valley, sprinkled with houses and small stores. Donat looks up to the highest peak, points and says “We live the very tallest.” Despite his broken English, I quickly realized we were planning to hike up the thin, muddy path up to the top of the hill where a small collection of houses was visible. It was an adventure, hiking in sandals, being chased by the small children who never see white people in their side of Kigali. The visit was really fun, and definitely worth the climb.
We went to meet Eric’s family as well–another boy from the Center. We met his mother and three sisters and several nephews. We also had the pleasure to meet the friend of the family who was “in the Spirit” the whole time. She was a bit wacky, falling on the ground, yelling, dancing, singing, hitting the walls…she was a bit excited to have my friend Ryan and I in the house. It was an experience, let me tell you. Eric said he was really proud to have us over, and his family was so sweet. It is so fun to actually be a part of our friends’ lives, show them that we are interested in them a part from just the Center.
And finally, last night, we had some friends (Jash, JC and Brian) come over and hang out for a night of pizza and worship around a bonfire. They all three are friends from church who speak really amazing English. JC and Brian spent 6 months in–guess where? Portland, Oregon! I know! Crazy right? JC is coming to Portland to go to University (PCC, here comes one of the best guys in the world). These guys are all talented musicians and we are going to be in their first music video. Whoo hoo! They love Jesus like nobodies business and they love pizza almost as much.
All in all, we have been making some really really good friends. I enjoy spending my time with everybody, getting to know this new culture through my interactions with the people. School is getting in the way though. Hah. Ironic since its a study abroad so really that should be my focus. But I already have a severe case of senioritis and I would like to have a small break from homework–seriously, reading a book a week for one class, writing a paper everyday and participating in intensive research can be a bit tiring, especially since I’m trying to live it up for my last three weeks. THREE WEEKS. 23 days. Holy smokes. I can’t believe its gone by this fast. I still have so much to do!
African Awakening 