Thursday morning- I said goodbye to my host family, or at least see you later. I cried when Justine hugged me really tight and as I drove away. I would miss the company of learning how to cook, dancing to whatever song was on the radio and just having a family to come home too. Tears fell from my eyes as we drove away from the home I had grown to know.
We left Rwamagana with all of our belongings loaded up and headed to Kigali. Once there Sophie, Sarah, Rusty and I worked like a power team. We went to the bank to get our ATM cards, stopped by the Peace Corps Office to pick up some things from the safe, found the Post Office. Then I got my watch fixed and some money exchanged. Then we ate some delicious Indian Food at Kigali City Tower, which is basically like an American mall. We started buying things for our houses. I used the money I exchanged to buy a nice down comforter and duvet cover for my bed. That evening we had a slumber party at the hotel, and drank wine and painted our nails.
Swear In Day
"Peace requires the simple but powerful recognition, that what we have in common as human beings is more important and crucial than what divides us." Sargent Shriver
That afternoon, we went back to city center to do some final shopping. First we went to bourbon coffee that, no joke is like Rwanda’s version of Starbucks , and makes me feel like I’m home. Then went to the Chinese superstore T2000, where I bought a hot plate, some pots and pans, yoga mat, pitcher, a knife, and some cleaning supplies. After all our shopping was done, we went back to the hotel for dinner. They served meatballs and spaghetti plus a veggie soup. That night we hit the town of Kigali, danced, and celebrated being official volunteers with some of the volunteers who have been in country.
First 24 Hours at Site
Saturday morning at 8am I packed up all my things, and Peace Corps drove me to site. When I arrived my neighbors were helping to pick up my yard, and I met one of the teachers Isaiah. Isaiah helped us to fill out some of the forms. I then ate some beef jerkey and candy corn from my care packaged, made my bed, and crashed for a few hours. When I woke up Isaiah helped me to get fuel for my little kerosene stove. We didn’t have any electricity for the first 24 hours was at site, so I used the kerosene stove to make some mac & cheese for dinner. Thank god mom sent that care package, literally has been sustaining me.
Sunday morning I went to the Catholic Church that is attached to my school at 7am. I met my headmaster and his wife after the service and went to choir practice with them. I actually really enjoyed choir practice because I got to meet some new people in a more casual setting then church. I think I will keep going to their practices, for something to do and to make some new friends.
For lunch I made some couscous with pesto that my best friend Alex sent me from the states. I worked on putting my house together, which is a slow and steady process. I set up my solar charger and was able to charge my cell phone with it so that was sweet. After lunch I took a nap, happy to have survived my first 24 hours at site.