Thats right friends, you read the title correct;Last night I was in my first earthquake. I believe it happened around 2 am. When it occured I was like thats strange as I woke in bed not really sure of what it was,but come morning I had confirmation it was indeed an earthquake.
I have never studied signs or omens, but I am about to create my own. I am going to take it that as an anniversary of me being back in Rwanda for one month, the great ones decided to give me an earthquake for goodluck. So thank you. I much appreciate it. But now lets not let it happen again :)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Akagere National Park
There are a few national parks in Rwanda. Last year I was lucky enough to travel to the most popular one, volcano nat park in the north of Rwanda. This is were the mountain gorillas are. If you remember I went on two gorilla treks and got to see two different gorilla families, for by far the coolest thing I have done in my life.
This year I figured I needed to get out and see some more parts of Rwanda. An oppurtunity came up that I was able to go with some friends to Akagere.
In order to do this we had to hire a car/driver for the day to drive us from Kigali to the park, and then of course through the park.
Getting to the park took about 2.5 hrs. Part of the road I had been on before, but the other I had not seen, so it was great to see some more Rwandan countryside.
Upon entering into the park we had a park ranger/guide join us in our car.
Akagere is a park that is mostly savannah which in some areas is dotted with lakes(remember it is the great lakes region).
In just about 2 hours we were able to see baboons, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, impala, storks, and hippos. I would say a pretty good viewing, and in such a short amount of time.One interesting fact that our guide told us was that originally there were no giraffe and 6 were brought from kenya to populate the park(I believe he said they now number in the 50s).
Now last year I went on a week long safari with my parents in Tanzania. As much as it was nice to go to Akagere, it was kindof a step down from Tanzania, because I had seen so much..but even with that said I was very happy that I went and enjoyed myself.(though it was pretty hot in the car and I didn't enjoy that too much)
One neat thing that was greatly different from the safari I went on in Tanzania, was that as we came upon the animals we could off-road(trail)-it in order to be right next to them, that sure made taking pictures easier.. It was a litle nerve racking as we drove through/alongside a group of buffalo though..haha but surely our guide did not seem concerned, so I tried to not be also.
Now I have 2 parks down, we will see if I am able to visit more as the year goes on..it would be cool to see some chimps...
This year I figured I needed to get out and see some more parts of Rwanda. An oppurtunity came up that I was able to go with some friends to Akagere.
In order to do this we had to hire a car/driver for the day to drive us from Kigali to the park, and then of course through the park.
Getting to the park took about 2.5 hrs. Part of the road I had been on before, but the other I had not seen, so it was great to see some more Rwandan countryside.
Upon entering into the park we had a park ranger/guide join us in our car.
Akagere is a park that is mostly savannah which in some areas is dotted with lakes(remember it is the great lakes region).
In just about 2 hours we were able to see baboons, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, impala, storks, and hippos. I would say a pretty good viewing, and in such a short amount of time.One interesting fact that our guide told us was that originally there were no giraffe and 6 were brought from kenya to populate the park(I believe he said they now number in the 50s).
Now last year I went on a week long safari with my parents in Tanzania. As much as it was nice to go to Akagere, it was kindof a step down from Tanzania, because I had seen so much..but even with that said I was very happy that I went and enjoyed myself.(though it was pretty hot in the car and I didn't enjoy that too much)
One neat thing that was greatly different from the safari I went on in Tanzania, was that as we came upon the animals we could off-road(trail)-it in order to be right next to them, that sure made taking pictures easier.. It was a litle nerve racking as we drove through/alongside a group of buffalo though..haha but surely our guide did not seem concerned, so I tried to not be also.
Now I have 2 parks down, we will see if I am able to visit more as the year goes on..it would be cool to see some chimps...
Thursday, January 28, 2010
A New Year Car Wash
For the second time I found myself celebrating New Years here in Kigali,Rwanda. I rung-in the 2009 year I went to an East African Concert. This year I went to Car Wash.
Now you might be asking yourself, what is this carwash, well let me tell you. It is a sports-bar/restuarant/alimentation, and a 24hr executive car wash, no joke. Over the past year it has become one of the most frequent places I go to. One of these reasons is because they play football matches on TV(premier league) and many non-rwandese go there, so English is commonly used, even amongst the other Africans. I also like it because its not white person central.
Speaking of white person central, on New Years that is what is was. Just like last year this year there is another group of volunteers(I am the only returnee). It was decided that this is where we would go for new years.no problem. A reservation was made and when we showed up at 9pm they had a huge table for us(we were about 25 white people+ others). They were smart enough to put us in the back, which is more secluded, this was some privacy was awarded, and we weren't a big muzungu freak show for everyone to watch, yet everyone watched us anyway..haha..
Overall it was a great night. Nothing fancy, just sitting around with friends and talking till it was new years. Before I knew it time had flown by and it was 2010.
A new year, and new decade, and new chapter of my life. I think that carwash was the perfect place to start these off.
The only not so great part of the evening was the bill. We had known with that many people things would get out of hand, but even with that foresight, it still did get out of hand. And we all know that when drinking in large groups is what we are talking about a bill is never going to be easy to sort out.. but we lived and we learned and we got out of the place without have to wash any dishes..haha..don't worry it wasn't really gonna come to that, but it was close..haha..
Hopefully wherever you and yours were you were able to have a great new years! Its hard to imagine that its 2010 already, it seems like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it is not..
With that said I did make my new years resolution to get me a flying car, just lke george jettison(daughter judy)..haha..sorry loved that show..
But seriously Happy New Years!!
Now you might be asking yourself, what is this carwash, well let me tell you. It is a sports-bar/restuarant/alimentation, and a 24hr executive car wash, no joke. Over the past year it has become one of the most frequent places I go to. One of these reasons is because they play football matches on TV(premier league) and many non-rwandese go there, so English is commonly used, even amongst the other Africans. I also like it because its not white person central.
Speaking of white person central, on New Years that is what is was. Just like last year this year there is another group of volunteers(I am the only returnee). It was decided that this is where we would go for new years.no problem. A reservation was made and when we showed up at 9pm they had a huge table for us(we were about 25 white people+ others). They were smart enough to put us in the back, which is more secluded, this was some privacy was awarded, and we weren't a big muzungu freak show for everyone to watch, yet everyone watched us anyway..haha..
Overall it was a great night. Nothing fancy, just sitting around with friends and talking till it was new years. Before I knew it time had flown by and it was 2010.
A new year, and new decade, and new chapter of my life. I think that carwash was the perfect place to start these off.
The only not so great part of the evening was the bill. We had known with that many people things would get out of hand, but even with that foresight, it still did get out of hand. And we all know that when drinking in large groups is what we are talking about a bill is never going to be easy to sort out.. but we lived and we learned and we got out of the place without have to wash any dishes..haha..don't worry it wasn't really gonna come to that, but it was close..haha..
Hopefully wherever you and yours were you were able to have a great new years! Its hard to imagine that its 2010 already, it seems like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it is not..
With that said I did make my new years resolution to get me a flying car, just lke george jettison(daughter judy)..haha..sorry loved that show..
But seriously Happy New Years!!
Updates On My Life
Well Well Well
A lot has happened since the last time I posted anything. Since my last post, the 2009 school year ended, all my students left the school. I then went on a quick visit to Uganda..way to go for super-long bus rides.. Then I spent about 2 more weeks in Kigali. I finally had the time to do my gift shopping. After going to all the different places imaginable I made my purchases. I bought many a basket, Rwanda, like some other African countries is known for its woven baskets. I decided to go for the more natural colors, though these days they dye the baskets any color imaginable. I also got a huge amount of long paper-bead necklaces. Also a rwandese doll, and assorted other goodies. Other than that I just spent time trying to rest up before returning to the states.
Before I new it I found myself back in the US. (It should be noted before that could happen I had to take one VERY long plane ride. Please note also the talent that many Africans have at just throwing a blanket over their entire body and falling asleep. No such luck for me, so I found myself watching ALL the movies the plane had to offer.. the GIJoe movie, come on, not that good, Julia and Julia, actually pretty good..haha, so name just 2. Also I would like to take this time to give a shout-out to the elderly Ethiopian lady who I had the pleasure of sitting next to for the entire journey.. I greatly enjoyed you spitting on the floor, next to my feet, just like I really enjoyed you resting your hand on my thigh, who needs a blanke to keep warm when your seat campanion is there for you..haha)
I got to be home in the states for both Thanksgiving and Christmass. I also was able to visit my sisters, one in Boston, the other in Miami. I also got to see my sister officially recieve her PhD--way to go! we got a doctor in the family!! I got quality time infront of a TV, in a soft/real bed, and of course access to the public library, and not to mention but wireless internet all over the house, and last but certainly not least, hot water showers. Oh and then I got to eat all the food I had missed for an entire year, Franco's sausage pizza, bagel bites, lasagna, orange buns(thanks pillsbury for selling them again), and CHEESE, all different kinds of cheese, not just Guada(which is the only type found here in Rwanda).
Before I knew it I was packing up to return. Shopping for everything from new work clothing, to parmesian cheese and tuna to bring back. I had thought that this time around packing would be easier because I had done it once before, but somehow I believe that this year was harder. The first time around there were things that I could say I actually NEEDED. This year, most things were stuff I just WANTED to make my stay more enjoyable, so therefore discarding things became very hard. Just to give you a taste of the things I packed, I had a table-top Foosball set, 6 pairs of shoes, and roughly 50 lbs of clothings, and of course things like popcorn kernals, purses, and suntan lotion also made it in.
Being home was amazing. At times I had missed it so much, but I did start to realize that in my mind I know call another place home, and thats my house here.It might not be much, but its somehow become my own.
At times adjusting to being back in the states was not easy.After a year away I realized that I had starting doing things a little differently and since I knew I would be shortly returning I didn't always make the effort always needed to 'get back into the swing of things.'
I would like to thank all my family memebers and friends that I was able to see and talk to. Thank you for letting me ramble on and on about Rwanda,my friends and life here. Being able to finally talk to you guys face to face about stuff was really great. I'm sure you weren't always interested in what I was saying as I dived into intense detail, but thanks for putting up a good face for me.
To the friends that read my blog, but that I was unable to see, I'm sorry. I was only home for a month and a half, and with my schedule doing family stuff, your schedule for work, and of course distance I did not get to see everyone I would have liked to. Just because I didn't see you doesn't mean that you aren't important to me, or that I don't value the fact that you take some of your time to read my blog and stay updated on my life, so thanks:)
Now I find myself back in Rwanda for a second year of teaching. Just as last year was full of stories, I hope that this year will also be, so stay tuned. Hopefully at some point during the year I will be able to make you laugh, chuckle, or at least crack a smile about my shenanagins here:)
A lot has happened since the last time I posted anything. Since my last post, the 2009 school year ended, all my students left the school. I then went on a quick visit to Uganda..way to go for super-long bus rides.. Then I spent about 2 more weeks in Kigali. I finally had the time to do my gift shopping. After going to all the different places imaginable I made my purchases. I bought many a basket, Rwanda, like some other African countries is known for its woven baskets. I decided to go for the more natural colors, though these days they dye the baskets any color imaginable. I also got a huge amount of long paper-bead necklaces. Also a rwandese doll, and assorted other goodies. Other than that I just spent time trying to rest up before returning to the states.
Before I new it I found myself back in the US. (It should be noted before that could happen I had to take one VERY long plane ride. Please note also the talent that many Africans have at just throwing a blanket over their entire body and falling asleep. No such luck for me, so I found myself watching ALL the movies the plane had to offer.. the GIJoe movie, come on, not that good, Julia and Julia, actually pretty good..haha, so name just 2. Also I would like to take this time to give a shout-out to the elderly Ethiopian lady who I had the pleasure of sitting next to for the entire journey.. I greatly enjoyed you spitting on the floor, next to my feet, just like I really enjoyed you resting your hand on my thigh, who needs a blanke to keep warm when your seat campanion is there for you..haha)
I got to be home in the states for both Thanksgiving and Christmass. I also was able to visit my sisters, one in Boston, the other in Miami. I also got to see my sister officially recieve her PhD--way to go! we got a doctor in the family!! I got quality time infront of a TV, in a soft/real bed, and of course access to the public library, and not to mention but wireless internet all over the house, and last but certainly not least, hot water showers. Oh and then I got to eat all the food I had missed for an entire year, Franco's sausage pizza, bagel bites, lasagna, orange buns(thanks pillsbury for selling them again), and CHEESE, all different kinds of cheese, not just Guada(which is the only type found here in Rwanda).
Before I knew it I was packing up to return. Shopping for everything from new work clothing, to parmesian cheese and tuna to bring back. I had thought that this time around packing would be easier because I had done it once before, but somehow I believe that this year was harder. The first time around there were things that I could say I actually NEEDED. This year, most things were stuff I just WANTED to make my stay more enjoyable, so therefore discarding things became very hard. Just to give you a taste of the things I packed, I had a table-top Foosball set, 6 pairs of shoes, and roughly 50 lbs of clothings, and of course things like popcorn kernals, purses, and suntan lotion also made it in.
Being home was amazing. At times I had missed it so much, but I did start to realize that in my mind I know call another place home, and thats my house here.It might not be much, but its somehow become my own.
At times adjusting to being back in the states was not easy.After a year away I realized that I had starting doing things a little differently and since I knew I would be shortly returning I didn't always make the effort always needed to 'get back into the swing of things.'
I would like to thank all my family memebers and friends that I was able to see and talk to. Thank you for letting me ramble on and on about Rwanda,my friends and life here. Being able to finally talk to you guys face to face about stuff was really great. I'm sure you weren't always interested in what I was saying as I dived into intense detail, but thanks for putting up a good face for me.
To the friends that read my blog, but that I was unable to see, I'm sorry. I was only home for a month and a half, and with my schedule doing family stuff, your schedule for work, and of course distance I did not get to see everyone I would have liked to. Just because I didn't see you doesn't mean that you aren't important to me, or that I don't value the fact that you take some of your time to read my blog and stay updated on my life, so thanks:)
Now I find myself back in Rwanda for a second year of teaching. Just as last year was full of stories, I hope that this year will also be, so stay tuned. Hopefully at some point during the year I will be able to make you laugh, chuckle, or at least crack a smile about my shenanagins here:)
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