Send Me To Rwanda!

So even though I'm so concerned about money, the last thing I want to do is waste my time here in Africa. When will I get the chance to come back? It's so expensive to get here in the first place... and if I do come back chances are I will most likely be taking a trip to do something awesome like a safari in Kenya, hike Mt. Kilimanjaro, or lay on the beaches at Zanzibar. Therefore, I think it is necessary to take the next few days-- my 3 day weekend for Good Friday-- to go to Burundi with my roommate Sonia. I am really excited, but a little nervous at the same time cause I'm taking a bus by myself. The ride itself is only about 6 hours to Bujumbura. The reason I'm going solo is because since she is in Peace Corps and basically an employee of the US federal government, she is not allowed to travel to Bujumbura via bus (because the North is still semi-unstable). Hopefully I will be okay... and yes I am taking a risk, but isn't that what life is about? And I am not putting myself at so much risk honestly. Now I am even considering going to Goma (DRC) and that is the most unstable country on the planet but I even know people who have been to Goma and they are fine, so I feel like I can justify traveling to Bujumbura via bus. Anyways, I am more concerned about when I get there because apparently there is this crocodile on the loose that has eaten like 200 people. It is in National Geographic if you care to look it up-- and his name is Gustavo if I am correct. Anyways, chances are I will be back in one piece... cross your fingers and say a little prayer for me. I hope I don't run out of money! Only got a little over $100 left and we're going for 3 days. Tight budget, but then again, we are mostly going to be laying out on the beach (which is free) in Bujumbura since Lake Tanganyika (Africa's 2nd largest lake) is right in the capitol city. Stoked. See you all soon =)

So I now realize WHY I am running out of money... Lonely Planet says that the average amount of US $$ that is needed a day in Rwanda is $25. While I knew Kigali was expensive.. dang, I did not realize that it was THAT bad. That is $700 a month to survive in Rwanda... I came with $1200, or $300/month for 4 months. I have also taken a few trips and did a few expensive activities- like whitewater rafting the Nile or a safari in Akagera National Park. Overall, the fact that I still have about $200 left is phenomenal... when you really think about it. I am conscious of my money situation... but then there are times when I really want to take that weekend trip to Giseyni or Butare... and I end up paying the $6 to get there and $6 to get back... but that is life. I am only in Africa once. I might come back, but it will probably be more touristy based, and chances are Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC are not going to be my #1 picks to visit. Let's hope this money can last me a LITTLE longer... I have some more things that I have to do!

For those of you who were wondering... I have posted a picture of what I look like these days. Mind you, this was one of the 2 times that I straightened my hair, so I might not normally look this good. Haha.

So wow I cannot believe that it has been over 2 weeks that I have blogged. I was blogging a few times a week but I guess after hitting that 1/2 way mark I kinda stopped.  Well first off let me say that the Kasubi Tombs that we visited while in Uganda were burned down on the 16th. I haven't heard too much about the violent outbreaks that resulted... but I do know that there is a lot of tension because of it burning down. As a matter of fact, it's really sad because it has been around for over 100 years, and there are still ancestors of the kings that live there... so they are now homeless and some people even died. Also all the ancient belongings and artifacts of the Kings were burned as well... I haven't heard whether or not the bodies of the Kings were, but I can only imagine.

Lets see, what else have I been up to lately. Well this past weekend I went to Kayonza to my co-worker's graduation party. That was nice, although they spoke for 4 hours in Kinyarwanda... they had a nice buffet of the typical food- chips, rice, carrots, peas, meat, potatoes... can't wait for some good food when I get back to the US. I think I can stick it out for another month and eat rice and potatoes, but I can't imagine spending much longer here eating that type of food... Also on the way back from the graduation party we had to ride a mini-bus (the public transportation buses) and where normally there are 4 people uncomfortably seated in a row, there were now between 4 and 5 to a seat. Needless to say it was an uncomfortable 2 hour drive back home. After 4 months of this, I am going to need someone to buy me a massage for my graduation present. I'm in serious need of a professional massage.

Wedding plans are coming along FANTASTIC. Andrew has been a gem. We have recently put a deposit down on a DJ, paid off our wedding bands and engagement ring, booked our honeymoon to Jamaica, purchased all the bridesmaid dresses and shoes, booked our hotel room for our wedding night, ordered our invitations and response cards, and got our wedding stamps. Basically we are on track, and even ahead of schedule. I am so glad to be effectively planning a wedding from Rwanda. At first things seemed to be falling apart... we lost our ceremony date because the DC Temple was closed for maintenance. But after losing that date, it allowed us the chance to find a more suitable reception location and a new date closer to our engagement date (3 days and a year after to be exact). We are very happy that it will be in the summer and all of our family will most likely be able to attend. We are excited to continue to plan our wedding and we think it is going to be FABULOUS!

Andrew also purchased a new Toyota Corolla this past week. We now have a reliable car! That is def a first for us both. We are excited to have this new "family car." I can't wait to get home and drive it! I miss driving so much!

So I am going to come to a close, but I want to inform everyone that I have a little less than a month and a half left here. I'm going to be home before I know it... I can't believe it! Love you all and I can't wait to see you!

French authorities on Tuesday briefly detained the widow of Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana, who is being sought by Rwanda on charges related to the nation's 1994 genocide, officials said.

This is nuts! But awesome. Thanks Sarkozy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100302/ap_on_re_eu/eu_france_rwanda

So today for some reason I was thinking about how much I miss driving a car... it is something that in the US we take for granted. I have grown so accustomed to public transportation that I forgot how much freedom you have driving your own car. You don't have to depend on anyone's schedule when you drive yourself. Oh how there are certain things that I miss... another thing I miss is having my hair straight. I have brought back the braid being in Rwanda! I feel like I'm 7 all over again.