I am back in Gulu after an 11 hours bus ride from Kigali to Kampala, and another 6 hour bus ride from Kampala to Gulu.
Rwanda Wrap-UP-Last Monday-Wednesday, we took a trip to Western Rwanda to Gisenyi. Another long 8 hour drive, because the bus driver took us to the wrong town and then took "short-cut" on the worst rode, that took longer than if we had just returned to Kigali and then started over. Tuesday was the start of memorial week in Rwanda, which made things even more intense. We went to a memorial site on Tuesday, with hundreds of other Rwandans. In a society that came off as so closed off, it was hard to see everyone so emotional. The place was really beautiful though-we were on a huge lake with volcanoes all around. The last few nights back with the homestay was nice. It was really hard to say goodbye because I'm not sure if I will actually ever see them again, like I knew I would with my Gulu host family. I was really lucky to have ended up with them, they were some of the most genuinely nice people I have ever met.
We left Kigali Friday, and got into Gulu last night. We just lucked out and found a place with three bed-rooms, and we all have our own shower/toilet room. And by that I mean, a small room with a shower head over the toilet to shower. I am just thankful that it is a flushing toilet with running water. It also has a bed which is good-so we dont have to buy one. We are going today to negociate a price, but its in town and from what the landlord said last night, will be a reasonable price. It's so nice to be back in Gulu, and I'm really excited to go visit my homestay family.
The next few weeks are going to be hectic. We have 3 1/2 weeks to do our research and write a 40page paper...
Caitlin and I are also really excited to get started on our soccer project and go meet with the girls at Gulu highschool. She has a family friend sending soccer balls to us, so that is a good start!
Peace and Love,
Michelle
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So glad to see your update. I am sure that if your host family from Rwanda has e-mail you will be able to keep at least a Cyber relationship with them. Your Ugandan family will be glad to see you. Sounds like Rwanda was a beautiful but contradictary place. But even so it was a good experience to have. Keep up the good work and keep those updaes coming. We all look forward to them. LOVE YOU MOM & DAD!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle, First off I am bummed I did not get to wish you a Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteDid you actually almost spend a whole day on bus rides? I can only imagine how exhausting that must have been. I am so glad that you have built such strong friendships with your host families. The Internet will certainly make it easier for you to stay in touch with them. I think about the impact this whole experience has left on you and the impact you have made on the people who you have met. You have represented our country well, thank you.
I am curious to know more about your apartment and to see pictures of it. Who knew that having a flushing toliet would be consider a luxury! Good luck with your soccer project, what a terrific thing to do.
Take Care,
Love,
Deb
I sent Margaret a message telling her to find you on facebook, she will probably tell you all about her soccer project in Uganda too!
ReplyDeleteSo cool.
good luck with that 40 page paper! ouch! at lease you get to play soccer after all of that is done with!! thats a nice change!
watch out for skeetos!!
love you!
mal