I am already in love with Rwanda, and we haven't left yet.
As a group we have been so fortunate to be able to speak with a variety of people who have travelled to Rwanda, for a wide range of reasons (tourism, working for the ape trust, promoting forest conservation, they are natives to the country, a 'son's' wedding, ... ). It has to be mentioned that each and every one of the individuals who has taken time to speak to our group, has been extremely wonderful, helpful, and kind. I have yet to meet one person has hasn't had both a glimmer in their eye, and a grin on their face when they spoke of their experience(s) with Rwanda, and the country's people. Normally, I'd just say 'there must be something in the water', but maybe instead when in Africa, 'there is something in the Malaria pills'.
Or even more likely, the 'glimmer' and 'grin' are instead products of this 'contagious optimism' that we've been told covers Rwanda. I cannot comprehend but at the same time am simply amazed that a country who saw horrific hardship just 14 years ago, can now have have 8 Millennium Goals that focus on improving areas such as, women's rights, education, healthcare, poverty, the environment, etc. ... and are succeeding at them! I am curious about the dedication, leadership, forgiveness, hard-work (...) I am utterly thrilled to go and immerse myself. To:
experience.
help.
observe.
touch.
taste.
smell.
hear.
see.
listen.
learn.
Its an interesting/confusing feeling knowing that you are going to have a life changing experience. Its a mixture of fear, expectations (positive and negative), excitement, anticipation, hesitation... [insert all other contradictory emotions here]. Slowly I'm attempting to prepare myself in basic ways, such as worrying about my packing, clothing, medications ... Soon I'll have to start doing my 'mind opening' exercises, because I have no doubt Rwanda, Africa is going to take up a lot of room in this small little world/head of mine.
