The trips have been planned, the arrangements all made, goodbyes have been said to teachers, students and friends, things have been given away, and bags are packed. It is time to go.
Today is my last day at site, tomorrow I head to the capitol city to begin the Close of Service paper work and get ready to leave Rwanda. It seems surreal that this is the end, after spending the majority of the last five years in the Peace Corps, I now have to join the ranks back home. There are no regrets I feel that I have learned so much and I have been able to see so much I am thankful for these two opportunities. The people I have met the friends I have made and the skills that I have learned will continue on with me as I start the next part of my life whatever that is.
I have no idea where life will take me next which is both terrifying and freeing at the same time. I am excited to start the next part because it is so open, it could take me on a path I never would have though of and the thought of another adventure excites me.
But first I have to leave behind Rwanda and Africa, maybe not forever, but for now.
Thank you all for your support throughout the last two years and I am sorry I am such a horrible blogger.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
April!!
April Showers!!!
The first term is over and the second has started but I was able to go on vacation!! April was a full month of travel and adventure!
The first stop was Zanzibar, Tanzinia. 12 days on a beautiful island, swimming, spice tours, laying on a beach visiting Giant Turtles, snorkeling, reading, and eating seafood at least once everyday. The island is beautiful, the water was crystal clear and so very blue!! We were there at the end of the tourist season, and many of the hotels had closed for the season, at one point in the East we were the only ones on the beach for as far as we could see. It was so quiet and peaceful.
My goal for the vacation was to eat seafood at least once everyday. I accomplished that goal very easily, in fact I was an over achiever some days! I felt it was my duty to try the wonderfulness that came from the Indian Ocean, so I did, I tried baby shark, barracuda, lobster, clams, tuna, king fish, shrimp, and octopus. It was so good. I was also able to have sushi for the first time in nearly a year and a half and I was in heaven! It was so fresh and prepared so beautifully. I love it when my food is like a work of art it makes me smile!!
So after a wonderful 12 days in tropical paradise I was able to see one of Rwandas true treasures; Mountain Gorillas!!!
I have been wanting to see the Gorillas since I first found out I was going to Rwanda. They have done a really good job at protecting these animals and it was such a joy and honor to be able to see them. I have seen Gorillas in a zoo but to see them in their habitat, with no fences or barriers and only our guides to protect us if something were to happen was exhilarating!! They are a true thing of beauty and it is remarkable that they are still here; and now the population is actually increasing which is also amazing to see. The Family Group that we went to see had the oldest Silver Back male and the newest baby to the population. We were in such close quarters with the family that we were sometimes less than a foot away, at one point we were totally surrounded by the family and they were coming down the hill behind us and one actually walked through our group and we all held our breath as she split our group in half and waited until she passed by! It was totally worth every penny and all the mud that we had to walk through to get to them. They are truly amazing creatures and again I feel blessed to be among those that have visited them.
But April is past and school has once again started; so it is back to the grind, but this year it is about finishing projects and preparing to return home or somewhere. The end is nearly upon us, and in about six months I will have had to decide where I am going next, but I think I will wait a little longer on that!!!
The first term is over and the second has started but I was able to go on vacation!! April was a full month of travel and adventure!
The first stop was Zanzibar, Tanzinia. 12 days on a beautiful island, swimming, spice tours, laying on a beach visiting Giant Turtles, snorkeling, reading, and eating seafood at least once everyday. The island is beautiful, the water was crystal clear and so very blue!! We were there at the end of the tourist season, and many of the hotels had closed for the season, at one point in the East we were the only ones on the beach for as far as we could see. It was so quiet and peaceful.
My goal for the vacation was to eat seafood at least once everyday. I accomplished that goal very easily, in fact I was an over achiever some days! I felt it was my duty to try the wonderfulness that came from the Indian Ocean, so I did, I tried baby shark, barracuda, lobster, clams, tuna, king fish, shrimp, and octopus. It was so good. I was also able to have sushi for the first time in nearly a year and a half and I was in heaven! It was so fresh and prepared so beautifully. I love it when my food is like a work of art it makes me smile!!
So after a wonderful 12 days in tropical paradise I was able to see one of Rwandas true treasures; Mountain Gorillas!!!
I have been wanting to see the Gorillas since I first found out I was going to Rwanda. They have done a really good job at protecting these animals and it was such a joy and honor to be able to see them. I have seen Gorillas in a zoo but to see them in their habitat, with no fences or barriers and only our guides to protect us if something were to happen was exhilarating!! They are a true thing of beauty and it is remarkable that they are still here; and now the population is actually increasing which is also amazing to see. The Family Group that we went to see had the oldest Silver Back male and the newest baby to the population. We were in such close quarters with the family that we were sometimes less than a foot away, at one point we were totally surrounded by the family and they were coming down the hill behind us and one actually walked through our group and we all held our breath as she split our group in half and waited until she passed by! It was totally worth every penny and all the mud that we had to walk through to get to them. They are truly amazing creatures and again I feel blessed to be among those that have visited them.
But April is past and school has once again started; so it is back to the grind, but this year it is about finishing projects and preparing to return home or somewhere. The end is nearly upon us, and in about six months I will have had to decide where I am going next, but I think I will wait a little longer on that!!!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Yes this a new blog post!
Peace Corps round 2 has presented many challenges some I was able to overcome with little trouble, however some I am still trying to overcome. I returned to the Peace Corps to try and figure out what I wanted to do with my life, and after one year I am no closer to figuring that out, which is one reason I am glad I have a whole other year to at least pick a direction. Instead of focusing options, it created more options and questions.
The school year is now starting and I am hoping that after the few bumps we have had this week will have smooth sailing for the rest of the term. I will again be teaching Biology this year as well as trying to start an English Club, and a GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) Club. I am trying to stay busy and positive and I am very hopeful for a good year, and glad that there are things to look forward too. I hope to travel to Tanzania this year, as well as going back to Akagera Park and Gorilla Trekking.
I hope to be better at updating my blog; I make no promises, but I will make an effort for you all.
I wish you all have a wonderful New Year!!!!
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