Becuase of the Holoday Monday, we got the afternoon off and finally took the bus into the City Center to explore it ourselves. We have been there a couple times, but it was always dark and in a car with someone else driving. Being in a place and not understanding the layout makes me feel uncomfortable, so after 4 or 5 hours of buses and walking and bartering with a vendor for a pair of jeans for work, I think I finally feel comfortable in that small part of Kigali.
The big news on the farm this week was the cow that jumped into the canal/creek. The canal has pretty steep sides and it took us over an hour of coaxing, proding and yelling to move the cow to a place where it could manage to get back to the herd for grazing. The whole time all I could think about was how much people, ways of life and even farming are similar, on the other side of the world.
And finally, I started a French class this week. On the site there are a group of pre-noviates (those in the preliminary stages of studying for the priesthood). Half of them are from Uganda and speak English, while the other half are from Rwanda and Brundi and speak French. So the Ugandans are learning French and I was invited to join their class. Unfortunately, they have been studying for six months and are way ahead of me, so I was really excited about taking the class, but now feel overwhelmed. I'm still trying to study on my own, but its coming slowly and I'm a bit lazy.
On that note, I'm going to go try some French!
The rain hath cometh
Rainy season has officially begun here in Rwanda. This means a couple things... First of all, and most importantly, it cools off a little bit after the rain. I actually had to get my fleece out tonight to sit outside and I'm not upset about that at all. The days generally reach the mid-80s which isn't terrible, but if I'm working, the proximity of the sun can make it quite hot. Secondly, it means it is time to plant on the farm. I'll be spending the next week running the farm's walk behind tiller to till where the students have hoed (by hand) the couple acres we will be using to plant corn this season. Finally, it means the red dust that has been habitually in the air and all over everything I own may subside.
In other non-weather news, I have discovered that I am now the resident basketball expert at the center. I've tried explaining to them many times that they must have me confused with someone else who is actually good at basketball, but they insist, constantly making references to me and the NBA (in French, so that's really all I understand when they talk amongst each other about it). Today after church we went to the national stadium with a Salesian from a different school to watch a game that some of his students were playing in. There was supposed to be an American coach or scout or something there, but he didn't show so we just caught the last two minutes of the game before one of the coaches came over to me and invited me to play on his team. (Note:The first thing I saw when I walked in was a very tall, very large black man drop step dunk while drawing a foul, so I was a little intimidated) I managed to answer very evasively and maybe after playing for a few months and getting what little shot I have back I'll consider. Of every sport I'm interested in, I never thought it would be basketball that would bring me the most attention!
Anyway, tomorrow is the end of Ramadan, so its a holday here in Kigali (even though only 5% of the population is Muslim) so we're going to try to get into the city and explore a little bit. We've been too focused on working that other than a couple restaurants and bars, we haven't had much time to get out and see things, so hopefully tomorrow will be the day!
In other non-weather news, I have discovered that I am now the resident basketball expert at the center. I've tried explaining to them many times that they must have me confused with someone else who is actually good at basketball, but they insist, constantly making references to me and the NBA (in French, so that's really all I understand when they talk amongst each other about it). Today after church we went to the national stadium with a Salesian from a different school to watch a game that some of his students were playing in. There was supposed to be an American coach or scout or something there, but he didn't show so we just caught the last two minutes of the game before one of the coaches came over to me and invited me to play on his team. (Note:The first thing I saw when I walked in was a very tall, very large black man drop step dunk while drawing a foul, so I was a little intimidated) I managed to answer very evasively and maybe after playing for a few months and getting what little shot I have back I'll consider. Of every sport I'm interested in, I never thought it would be basketball that would bring me the most attention!
Anyway, tomorrow is the end of Ramadan, so its a holday here in Kigali (even though only 5% of the population is Muslim) so we're going to try to get into the city and explore a little bit. We've been too focused on working that other than a couple restaurants and bars, we haven't had much time to get out and see things, so hopefully tomorrow will be the day!
A year of change
Yesterday was my birthday, and as I looked back over the last year I realized what a crazy year it has been, in the best of ways. One year ago I was still at Coe, concerned with writing papers, managing finances of the Student Senate and going out with my friends every Thursday night. Now here I am in Rwanda, concerned with making sure the cows are fed, I make time to talk with orphans and finding a little bit of time to read and sleep.
I think I've come to a little bit of normalcy after my first week. During the week I spend my day on the farm and in the classroom. I drive the tractor while the students and workers load it with whatever the job is for the day. Sometimes I go to class with the Agronomer/teacher, Manani, to help him teach English as well. The highlight of every day, however, is at 4:00 when all the students (and hundreds of other kids) show up on the athletic fields to play football (soccer), basketball and volleyball. Chris and I go out every day and love to just hang out, talk with the kids in their broken English and get a few games in. Then at night we say the rosary with the studetns who board at the school, eat dinner and try to study French before falling asleep. Its only been a week, but I'm happy (those of you who know about culture shock, I'm still in the honeymoon phase).
We went to the embassy this week to register (only to find out we had to come back the next day, and then to find out we had to do it online). It was nice to visit though, and talk with some Americans. The US embassy is the biggest and most fortified in town, and ironically, I observed this on September 11, while our flag was at half staff. Anyway, we are registered and now begin the annoying process of getting our visa from the Rwandan government.
Oh and last night the German couple that works on our site took us out to an Indian resturaunt downtown for my birthday which was amazing (better than our typical beans and rice!)
Anyway, its football time!
I think I've come to a little bit of normalcy after my first week. During the week I spend my day on the farm and in the classroom. I drive the tractor while the students and workers load it with whatever the job is for the day. Sometimes I go to class with the Agronomer/teacher, Manani, to help him teach English as well. The highlight of every day, however, is at 4:00 when all the students (and hundreds of other kids) show up on the athletic fields to play football (soccer), basketball and volleyball. Chris and I go out every day and love to just hang out, talk with the kids in their broken English and get a few games in. Then at night we say the rosary with the studetns who board at the school, eat dinner and try to study French before falling asleep. Its only been a week, but I'm happy (those of you who know about culture shock, I'm still in the honeymoon phase).
We went to the embassy this week to register (only to find out we had to come back the next day, and then to find out we had to do it online). It was nice to visit though, and talk with some Americans. The US embassy is the biggest and most fortified in town, and ironically, I observed this on September 11, while our flag was at half staff. Anyway, we are registered and now begin the annoying process of getting our visa from the Rwandan government.
Oh and last night the German couple that works on our site took us out to an Indian resturaunt downtown for my birthday which was amazing (better than our typical beans and rice!)
Anyway, its football time!
Sprint to Rwanda
Hello everyone!
I have finally made it to Kigali! As my title suggests, it did involve quite a bit of running through airports (my plane in Moline broke and messed up my whole day) but we arrived Thursday night and I finally collected all my luggage last night and am getting settled in.
"De Centre de Juene" is the site where I will be working and living this year. It is one of the Salesian sites located in Kigali, specifically in the district of Gatenga. It is a large compound, about 27 acres and has a vocational school where the students learn trades from cooking, to clothes-making or carpentry and metal working. The site also contains a working farm complete with growing some vegetables and goats, cows, pigs, geese and rabbits. The priests learned I was from Iowa and immediately showed me some work that needed to be done using the tractor. We're not sure exactly what we'll be doing yet, but I'm sure it will involve my two skills that they are aware of, English and farming, neither of which I think I'm particularly good at.
Speaking of language, the common language among everyone is French, which I am frantically trying to pick up. Luckily there are some Germans living next to us, who don't work with us but are on the same site and speak French and English, so we have some friends, along with some priests we are getting to know pretty well. The othere language is Kirywanda, which every Rwandan speaks (and mass in Kirywanda this morning was a little different from mass I went to last week in Iowa City). Many people know a little English, but I'm feeling my "American-ness" with my lack of language skills.
We have just been mostly relaxing and getting oriented with the site and venturing into town with the Germans the last couple days, but work starts tomorrow, whatever "work" happens to be.
I hope to post again soon, but our internet connection is not in the building we live and is extrememely slow, so it may not be as easy to use the internet as I originally hoped.
Also, on a very important note, I know many people were concerned about the beer situation, and they have beer, so you can rest at night knowing that I'm not cut off from drinking for a whole year.
But alas, I must finish this post before my computer dies (I'm having charger issues with the different electricity). Farewell!
I have finally made it to Kigali! As my title suggests, it did involve quite a bit of running through airports (my plane in Moline broke and messed up my whole day) but we arrived Thursday night and I finally collected all my luggage last night and am getting settled in.
"De Centre de Juene" is the site where I will be working and living this year. It is one of the Salesian sites located in Kigali, specifically in the district of Gatenga. It is a large compound, about 27 acres and has a vocational school where the students learn trades from cooking, to clothes-making or carpentry and metal working. The site also contains a working farm complete with growing some vegetables and goats, cows, pigs, geese and rabbits. The priests learned I was from Iowa and immediately showed me some work that needed to be done using the tractor. We're not sure exactly what we'll be doing yet, but I'm sure it will involve my two skills that they are aware of, English and farming, neither of which I think I'm particularly good at.
Speaking of language, the common language among everyone is French, which I am frantically trying to pick up. Luckily there are some Germans living next to us, who don't work with us but are on the same site and speak French and English, so we have some friends, along with some priests we are getting to know pretty well. The othere language is Kirywanda, which every Rwandan speaks (and mass in Kirywanda this morning was a little different from mass I went to last week in Iowa City). Many people know a little English, but I'm feeling my "American-ness" with my lack of language skills.
We have just been mostly relaxing and getting oriented with the site and venturing into town with the Germans the last couple days, but work starts tomorrow, whatever "work" happens to be.
I hope to post again soon, but our internet connection is not in the building we live and is extrememely slow, so it may not be as easy to use the internet as I originally hoped.
Also, on a very important note, I know many people were concerned about the beer situation, and they have beer, so you can rest at night knowing that I'm not cut off from drinking for a whole year.
But alas, I must finish this post before my computer dies (I'm having charger issues with the different electricity). Farewell!
Life Update
Hey all. In case you haven't heard, yes I did survive the trip home from Vietnam (Mo).
I'm currently in the process of packing up and getting ready for my next adventure: Rwanda.
I'm going to Rwanda as a "Salesian Lay Missioner" to serve children. The Salesians are the second largest order of Catholic priests in the world, and follow the charism of their founder, St. John Bosco, to minister to needy children around the world. The more I learn about the Salesians and Don Bosco, the more excited I am to join in thier work. (More info about my program at http://salesianlaymissioners.org/)
Currently I am waiting to hear back from my contact in Kigali, Rwanda as to when we should arrive. Chris (the other American I am going with) and I are hoping to leave around August 25th and are simply waiting for the ok, but in the meantime are preparing the best we can for departure.
As soon as I know more I'll let you know.
Update: my email address is now mitchelljlincoln@gmail.com
I'm currently in the process of packing up and getting ready for my next adventure: Rwanda.
I'm going to Rwanda as a "Salesian Lay Missioner" to serve children. The Salesians are the second largest order of Catholic priests in the world, and follow the charism of their founder, St. John Bosco, to minister to needy children around the world. The more I learn about the Salesians and Don Bosco, the more excited I am to join in thier work. (More info about my program at http://salesianlaymissioners.org/)
Currently I am waiting to hear back from my contact in Kigali, Rwanda as to when we should arrive. Chris (the other American I am going with) and I are hoping to leave around August 25th and are simply waiting for the ok, but in the meantime are preparing the best we can for departure.
As soon as I know more I'll let you know.
Update: my email address is now mitchelljlincoln@gmail.com
Winding Down
We're back in Saigon, and now preparing to leave. We've had a couple busy days since my last post, traveling back South and spending two days in the Mekong Delta. The Delta was pretty cool, and definitely the rural Vietnam I expected, with lots of water, channels, rain and jungles (The stuff of Rambo and Apocalypse Now). We spent more time on boats than busses, which was a nice change, and got to see a very different side of Vietnam.
This will probably be my last post from Vietnam, because we are leaving in about 14 hours (3:45 a.m. local time). I am scheduled to be back in Cedar Rapids on June 3rd by 6:00 p.m. Central Time, at which point I might try to drive home to DeWitt, or find a place to crash if I'm too jet-lagged. We shall see.
I need to get running, however, we have an appointment at the Consulate, which I've very excited for. See everyone soon!
This will probably be my last post from Vietnam, because we are leaving in about 14 hours (3:45 a.m. local time). I am scheduled to be back in Cedar Rapids on June 3rd by 6:00 p.m. Central Time, at which point I might try to drive home to DeWitt, or find a place to crash if I'm too jet-lagged. We shall see.
I need to get running, however, we have an appointment at the Consulate, which I've very excited for. See everyone soon!
On to Hoi An
Well we survived the rest of Hue and the DMZ and have arrived safely at our next destination: Hoi An.
Our DMZ tour was quite amazing. Our tour guide was a South Vietnamese man who had worked with the US Army during the war and had reached the rank of 2nd Lt. doing reconnaissance work for the Americans. Needless to say, this gentleman had a very different take on the war than the rest of the government-propaganda we had been reading in museums and on other tours. After the war our guide had attempted to escape Vietnam by boat (like 1 Million other Vietnamese) but he was captured and sent to a communist "reeducation camp."
The main highlight of the tour was the tunnel village, where the villagers just above the 17th parallel smuggled supplies from Soviet ships onto land safely, just above the dividing line where the US military was not on the ground. There were miles of tunnels, three different "levels" or depths some reaching 25 meters below ground, family rooms, wells, ventilation and even an operation room. It was dark, slippery and cramped, and I still have a bump where I hit my head, but people lived in these tunnels for years to escape American bombs (the bomb craters are all over the compound) and it was pretty amazing to see people's dedication displayed in these dark tunnels.
We also met our Vietnamese teacher-friend, Quy, for a beer. We went to his modest house to see it so we know where we can stay next time we are in Vietnam. We then went to his neighbor's house to get a case of beer and sat outside his house on the street by the river in plastic chairs drinking cheap beer, playing badminton with his nieces and nephews and smoking bad Vietnamese cigarettes. I think that is the closest we've been to the real Vietnam yet.
Our trip from Hue to Hoi An was a little different, as we were on a train. The train tracks wind through the mountains and along the coast to show some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Jungle-covered mountains run right into long sandy beaches that lead right into beautiful blue water. There are also more rock out-croppings off the shore along the entire coast that are the cherry on top. The other Vietnamese on the train didn't seem to notice the scenery, but they certainly noticed the white-skinned Americans jumping seats and leaning on top of each other to get a better view.
Hoi An is a nice little tourist place on the coast. It has been forgotten about since about the mid-19th century, which means its architecture is classic and beautiful, and neither side saw it as a valuable asset during the war, preserving it unscathed. There are a ton of white people (mostly Australian and European) spilling out of the town's resorts into the markets and tourist restaurants. They also have a big clothing industry here, so of course I had to get two shirts tailored to go with my tailored suit that I got in Hue. Yesterday afternoon a couple of us went to the beach, about 10 minutes away by motorbike, to soak it up. It felt just as pretty as it looked, and we basked in the glory of the South East Asia sun and tried to contemplate how this is considered a class.
Today I took an optional day trip to My Lai (Pronounced "Me Lie"), the village where American soldiers went on a four-hour rampage in 1968, killing somewhere around 200 people, mostly women and children. I haven't quite collected my thoughts on this experience yet, except to say it was moving, and eye-opening to see what my country, and what men in general can do during times of war. I'm still mulling it over, but need to get next door for a game of pool before we head back to the beach for the afternoon!
Our DMZ tour was quite amazing. Our tour guide was a South Vietnamese man who had worked with the US Army during the war and had reached the rank of 2nd Lt. doing reconnaissance work for the Americans. Needless to say, this gentleman had a very different take on the war than the rest of the government-propaganda we had been reading in museums and on other tours. After the war our guide had attempted to escape Vietnam by boat (like 1 Million other Vietnamese) but he was captured and sent to a communist "reeducation camp."
The main highlight of the tour was the tunnel village, where the villagers just above the 17th parallel smuggled supplies from Soviet ships onto land safely, just above the dividing line where the US military was not on the ground. There were miles of tunnels, three different "levels" or depths some reaching 25 meters below ground, family rooms, wells, ventilation and even an operation room. It was dark, slippery and cramped, and I still have a bump where I hit my head, but people lived in these tunnels for years to escape American bombs (the bomb craters are all over the compound) and it was pretty amazing to see people's dedication displayed in these dark tunnels.
We also met our Vietnamese teacher-friend, Quy, for a beer. We went to his modest house to see it so we know where we can stay next time we are in Vietnam. We then went to his neighbor's house to get a case of beer and sat outside his house on the street by the river in plastic chairs drinking cheap beer, playing badminton with his nieces and nephews and smoking bad Vietnamese cigarettes. I think that is the closest we've been to the real Vietnam yet.
Our trip from Hue to Hoi An was a little different, as we were on a train. The train tracks wind through the mountains and along the coast to show some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Jungle-covered mountains run right into long sandy beaches that lead right into beautiful blue water. There are also more rock out-croppings off the shore along the entire coast that are the cherry on top. The other Vietnamese on the train didn't seem to notice the scenery, but they certainly noticed the white-skinned Americans jumping seats and leaning on top of each other to get a better view.
Hoi An is a nice little tourist place on the coast. It has been forgotten about since about the mid-19th century, which means its architecture is classic and beautiful, and neither side saw it as a valuable asset during the war, preserving it unscathed. There are a ton of white people (mostly Australian and European) spilling out of the town's resorts into the markets and tourist restaurants. They also have a big clothing industry here, so of course I had to get two shirts tailored to go with my tailored suit that I got in Hue. Yesterday afternoon a couple of us went to the beach, about 10 minutes away by motorbike, to soak it up. It felt just as pretty as it looked, and we basked in the glory of the South East Asia sun and tried to contemplate how this is considered a class.
Today I took an optional day trip to My Lai (Pronounced "Me Lie"), the village where American soldiers went on a four-hour rampage in 1968, killing somewhere around 200 people, mostly women and children. I haven't quite collected my thoughts on this experience yet, except to say it was moving, and eye-opening to see what my country, and what men in general can do during times of war. I'm still mulling it over, but need to get next door for a game of pool before we head back to the beach for the afternoon!
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