I'm alive!

I'm back!

I hope you guys were able to survive the past several days without an update from me... but you're in luck, because I'm back in Kigali, Rwanda and I'm chilling at an internet cafe while I wait for Meghan to arrive tonight. I have experienced so much in the past week that it's probably going to be impossible to accurately describe it, but that seems to be a theme on this blog.

Hope (Meghan's friend) picked me up from the airport on Monday night and we spent the night here in Kigali. On Tuesday morning, we started the long trek to Hope's tiny mountainside village, Bumba. Let's just put it this way: traveling through the Rwandan mountains with an oversized suitcase, a backpack, a purse, AND a new puppy (which Hope picked up from a friend on our way home) was a... unique experience. On the bright side, I have officially become an expert at dragging my rolling suitcase up steep, rocky roads.

Once at Hope's village, things slowed down significantly. I don't feel like going into every little detail of what we did, who we met, and how beautiful the scenery was (you can see Lake Kivu from Hope's house...), but here's an overview: during my four-ish days with Hope, I pretty much lived the Peace Corps life. I made the hour-long walk to the market, attended a day of classes at Hope's school, conversed (with Hope as a translator) with villagers, and roughed it with pitcher showers and a squat hole toilet. I'm thankful that my time in Kenya prepared me for most of these things! Hope and I got along wonderfully, and I'm so glad that she graciously allowed me into her life for the week. We also bonded over the new puppy, who turned out to be not so wonderful... by yesterday, Hope decided that she just couldn't deal with the puppy's constant whining and neediness (I know, I know, it's a puppy... but it was just too much for her to handle long-term), so we ended up dropping him back off with his original owner today.

Last night, we got an exciting phone call from Meghan! She is flying into Kigali tonight, so Hope sent me away on a bus to book a room at St. Paul's (a hostel-ish place here) and wait for Meghan's arrival. The journey here was not an easy one, but it was definitely an experience to remember. In order to get to the bus station, Hope and I (plus the puppy) had to be driven out of the village and down the mountainside on motorcycles. Keep in mind that my large suitcase had to make this journey as well. Needless to say, my life flashed before my eyes on numerous occasions, but we managed to survive the 40-minute ride. When we got to the station, Hope sent me on my way, and I made the 3-hour bus ride to Kigali alone. Once here, I had to drag my suitcase, backpack, and purse through the busy city and figure out how to book a room at St. Paul's-- but I'm proud to say that I survived with nothing more than a few patches of sunburn on my face and some very, VERY dirty feet.

I just made a quick run to the Nakumatt (yes, they have them in Rwanda too!) and now I'm sitting here at the cafe waiting for my delicious chicken pesto sandwich to be delivered... so excited to have some "real" food, considering the fact that the Peace Corps diet consists mainly of bread, rice, and the occasional bit of fruit. I'm glad to have three days with Meghan. I'm thrilled to see my friends and family soon. All is well.

Pictures from my time with Hope:

View of the sunset from Hope's house!

Hope and her next-door neighbors

Bumba!

Part of my room at Hope's house.