moving in madison

so, I'm back to the states. I can't really tell if I'm in the midst of experiencing 'culture shock' right now. it seems as if maybe I should be experiencing as much, or perhaps I feel this way because people expect me to be shocked. maybe the adjustment isn't quite so intense because I wasn't in rwanda for more than seven weeks. maybe this is due to my living in kigali (in kiyovu, a 'posh' section of the city). I'm not sure. whatever it is, I'm just trying to continue on and get things done, as the beginning of school isn't that far off.

one of things that was a big 'to do' on my list for august was the move from the apartment with ryan and tim to my own place. my very first place of my own. the moving process was not very pleasant (though ryan and tim did a bulk of the work before I returned to madison; thank you boys.) nevertheless, I'm still in the midst of settling in, trying to manage the ridiculous number of boxes that I have of photos and other memorabilia (it's a bit silly), and figure out what else I might need to help with the transition to the beginning of another semester. last night was the first night I spent in my new place. perhaps it was my extreme exhaustion from moving, but I slept fairly well and woke up feeling very comfortable in my new space. I'll be quite happy once I'm able to get my desk from my friend's basement, once the books are purchased, once I've been grocerying for the first time...in short, once I'm settled. I think I'll like living in the space quite well. even more than living there, I would love to entertain guests in my own place. (for out-of-town guests: there is a FABULOUS breakfast place near my new apartment. it's only open on the weekends, so it works out perfectly for you all!)

I'll post photos of my new place (even in the midst of chaos) as well as some adorable photos from my time at home soon. and yes, photos from rwanda are coming. (I am waiting to see my kigali roommate in a week or so to get them from her.)

today's the day

today's the day that I leave kigali and begin my long(ish) return to the states. while that statement sounds somewhat dramatic, and while I may have felt as if I could execute it with a great deal of drama and joy earlier this summer, I am genuinely sad to say goodbye to my friends here. last night was a small fête of friends (silas, bosco, clare) along with american newcomers from the university of wisconsin. all enjoyed a poisson grillé and brochettes du chevre (grilled fish and goat brochettes), along with pomme frites and bananas grillés (french fries and grilled bananas). there are some interesting photos of the fish, to be posted shortly after my arrival to chi.

getting on the minibus was tough, as it was the last time that I will see some of these people in quite some time. things will change; bosco's baby will be a toddler, silas may be married by then, clare may have opened several more schools in kigali. but I have to remember that this sadness that I feel is also to be appreciated. I have been lucky enough to be here, to spend time with some great people, and to have some connection to this place. now, if only the academic part of it would come a bit easier...

four hours until I leave for the airport and I still have packing to do. but first, time to get out of my pajamas!

and so ends my short time in rwanda. thanks all for reading and checking in on me. I'll be posting upon my return to the states, hopefully with more photos. until then...