Yes, I am still alive.

hello my dear friends!

My deepest apologies for being so MIA within the last few weeks.  Life here has been quite busy so I haven't had time to sit down and write a good blog.  But, here I am now so I'll do my best to fill you in!

These past few weeks have completely flown by.  I feel as if it was just yesterday I was writing about being away for one month, when I have now surpassed the halfway mark and am only 9 days short from being away for 2 whole months.  I have seen many new experiences, felt many new emotions and have been tested in brand new ways.

What I really desire to share with you is this past weekend - Kwinta Izina - the annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony in Kinigi, Rwanda.  This ceremony (as you can probably tell by the name) happens every year and is a celebration of the naming of the new baby gorillas that have been born within the Rwandan Volcano National Park.  After taking a 20m bus ride, we followed the crowd down a road, passing a sign that said we'd be there in 3km.  3km is a long way when it's all uphill and in the sun! So, being crazy and adventurous Canadians, we spotted a path that cut down a field and said, 'why not?'  Thankfully, the path was a wonderful shortcut that got us there in no time.  Arriving at the location of the ceremony, we were immediately separated from the Rwandans.  They had to go through security and be frisked - we did not.  They were told to go in one direction - us in another.  They had to sit in a giant crown behind a fence in the sun - we were put in a VIP tent that was muzungu town! I still don't know what to think of this situation.  Because we are white, even without a VIP invitation, we sat under a huge tent, were given free food and drink, and had front row access to the ceremony.  The thing that got me the most was that I actually felt like a tourist.  Being surrounded by hundreds of white people for the first time since being here really caught me off guard.  I felt like I wasn't at home but that I was just categorized as another white tourist who comes and goes whenever they please.  For the most part I was very unhappy with this feeling, but a small part of me did enjoy getting a glimpse of what home looks like.

After the ceremony everyone who was in the VIP tent was encouraged to attend the cocktail party after - free drinks (alcoholic, non-alcoholic), food and conversation.  The men mostly took advantage of the free drink (at least to my observation) but I did help myself to a glass of wine... which I gave away after 2 sips because I remembered that I despise the taste of wine.

An amazing thing though - I recognized two girls I played volleyball against in high school (the high school that one of the girls I'm here with went to, so she knew them well), and another guy from UWO.  Small freaking world, hm? We chatted with them and found out that they are here through a french program from main campus and are living in a hostel in Kigali for a few more weeks.  After that weird shock surpassed, we met some new friends (one from Sweden originally and the others from Kigali) and had a lovely lunch at one of the guys Auntie's house.  Small world again because the Aunt's daughter is a student in one of my computer classes.

Overall, the ceremony was a wonderful experience and I am so thankful that I was in Rwanda at the time of it's occurrence.  I love meeting new people and making new friends so I felt the weekend was a success since many new friends were made.  One void I definitely feel that has been missing is the consistency of having conversation.  Back in Canada, everyone I know speaks English and would be able to have a sit-down conversation with me at a regular speed.  Even though Naomi and Milijana (two girls from Canada I'm with) speak English and I see them almost every day, it's nice to vary up the individuals who I converse with.  I miss my relationships at home and am craving to have coffee dates with many individuals.  I will, however, keep making use of this amazing trip and am not looking forward to the date of my departure.

I do apologize that this is such a short and impersonal blog post, however, much has happened since being here and I feel I wouldn't do anything justice even if I tried to dig deeper into some life altering experiences.  I am currently in Kigali with Karyn Makins again, being blessed with the chance to stay an extra two days longer than expected.  It is so odd to hear her talk about leaving this Thursday when I still have another 6 weeks in Rwanda alone.  I pray that I will keep drinking in all my experiences and my new life here - always being faithful and remembering to trust.

Your friend,
-Steph