Where have I been?
Well, for starters let's say Germany.
If you knew that much then let's say middle western side and down a little farther.
Overall, the past five days I have been, in short, stopping at big and small riverside cities in Germany.
First was Koln (or Koeln... or Cologne... Don't know why there's so many different spellings). Right when I got off the train I was greeted with a HUGE cathedral. I do appreciate architecture, but it is not usually the biggest highlight of my ventures. There is something magical when you enter a metropolis and see such ancient work still standing though. According to my friend, the city was apparently decimated during WW II and the cathedral is one of the only things remaining of Koln before the war.
My night in Koln was peaceful. My room mate that evening in the hostel I was staying at was indeed German and spoke no English. I actually think she spoke as much English as I did German meaning, of course, she knew two words. We grabbed my german/english phrase book and learned each other's names, hers was Kathy, our ages, she was 60, and why we were in Koln, she was moving there. After about an hour to figure out those 3 important facts, we both surrendered. I stayed in and showered and she went out to find food at the infamous McDonalds.
I must pause for a moment and flaunt the fact that I have thus far succeeded in avoiding McDonalds. The small cafes and German Biergarten's are so much more appealing for me and my travels. The food here is exquisite and I'm sure McDonalds is just fine if you're on the go, but I prefer to not remember my American fast food endeavors while in Europe.
The next day I was to board a K-D boat that would take me up the Rheine river to Koblenz. When I say up I mean that I am going south, but the river runs south to north. Hence, up is down... Make sense?
When I went to the ticket booth to verify that I could board the boat for free with my train ticket, a discount offered with Eurail, the woman asked me where my destination was. I told her Koblenz and she looked at me and replied, "Well, that is impossible..." Hence my adventure had begun!
I asked where the trip ended and she told me Linz. Linz was a little over halfway to Koblenz. Still eager to travel the scenic river I asked if there was a train station in Linz and there appeared to be one!
For the next 5 hours I traveled a little anxious not knowing if I could get to my end destination.
When I landed in Linz I got off the boat and wondered around lost and unable to find an information center to ask which direction to go. Eventually I had to go over to a group of men and point to myself sheepishly and say, "English?" One man did luckily speak English and he pointed me in the correct direction.
As I walked to the town's center I noted that it was only 2:50 pm and surely there would be a train headed to Koblenz soon. Oh, did I mention it was raining this whole time... Fun indeed...
When I arrived at the train station I ran over to an electronic kiosk eager to get my ticket to get to Koblenz. The kiosk was in German... I clearly don't know enough German to operate a ticket machine. As I was struggling to decide which buttons to press a train pulled up. I noticed the signs on it said Koblenz. As I quickly fumbled pressing more buttons I got to the payment screen, but the machine would not take my money! Determined to not miss my train I pressed more buttons on the screen. Luckily I tapped a button that opened the coin slot for my euros! I grabbed my ticket and hopped on the train now not even sure that this was the train that I needed.
The adrenaline pulsing through my body had sped up my breathing as well as made me frantic. I'm sure that at this moment I looked like such a tourist to all the locals on the train, but I felt as if I had just solved all the world's problems in ten minutes!
Needless to say, I arrived safely in Koblenz around 4:00 pm. I found my hotel, dropped off my luggage and went exploring.
My impression of Koblenz is quite fond. Although it is a bigger city there is a wonderful river walkway and the older city center is full of unique shops filled with clothing, art, and more.
The next morning I boarded yet another boat, this time headed to my end location, sad to leave Koblenz. This time my boat was to travel the Moselle river to Cochem. The coolest part of the 5 hours I spent on this river boat was the series of dams that we went through.
In order to protect the small towns along the river, a series of dams controlling the height of the river water had been constructed. I was lucky enough to get to go through three of them which entailed entering an enclosed area and being raised sometimes 6 meters higher than when the boat entered.
When I arrived in Cochem there was a flurry of activity in the city. The weekend was entitled, "Wine Festival." Immediately when I got off of the boat there was a parade happening. I almost felt like I was back in the U.S.A. except for the traditional german costumes being worn! As I walked through the streets, I heard laughter, smelled a mixture of beer and wine, and saw such happy gatherings of friends and family all over the place.
After I grew tired of the city I wondered to the outskirts of the town only to find some hiking. Excited, I set off up the small mountain to see what I may find. As I walked the landscape I quickly understood how so many fairy tales had been conceived in Germany. The forests are beautiful. It's almost too difficult to try to explain and do hope my pictures do it justice. The vivid green mosses, small mushrooms, and vibrant flowers are only the surface of what my 30 minute hike entailed. Leaving the mountain, I grew even more excited for my time to come in the Black Forest the following week.
That night I fell asleep to the pleasant sounds of the Cochem wine festival.
The next morning I set off to explore the castle that towers above the city of Cochem. After getting up the very steep trail that led up to the castle, I paid my 5 euros to get a tour of the inside of the castle.
The tour was simple, but so interesting. I've been through my fair share of ruins, but this castle had maintained (or attempted to) to original furnishings of the castle. As I walked through the rooms I saw everything stereotypically German. From antlers on the wall, to metal wine and beer jugs, to knights' armor I was satisfied.
At 4:00 pm I moved onto Trier by train.
Unfortunately, this is where my fantasy of travel ended. Although Trier is to be respected as the "second Rome," I was not impressed. This city is more touristy than I would have liked, but understand it's attraction to travelers. The ruins are very old and the shops that were located in the old city center were things such as H&M, McDonalds, and more typical shops.
The ambiance of my small village adventure had ended abruptly in Trier. Upon checking into my hostel I also had to deal with a somewhat hilarious aspect of my room. As I opened the door, my eyes were first greeted with a 5-foot painting of a completely naked man. As if that wasn't shocking enough I turned to close the door and saw a matching 5-foot painting of a naked pregnant woman. I'm sure these images had some impact of my stay in Trier.
Determined to give Trier another chance, the next morning I set off to take a stroll in the park. After I passed my fourth homeless person and almost ran into my fifth, I turned and walked to Constantine's Basilica to seek... Sanctuary...
For a few hours I read and people watched from a small cafe. When I was tired of sitting I ventured into the huge basilica. The basilica was very simple, but the size of it was truly amazing considering it had been built around the year 1000. I'm sure that there had been some restorations up to this year 2011, but still to think that man could create a building with such simple tools is remarkable.
I left Trier on train headed back to Koblenz very happily, but glad that I'd seen what was in Trier.
Today you would find me on yet my last boat adventure headed to Mainz. At approximately 7:30 pm I will get off my K-D boat and wave good bye to the lovely Rheine river that I have grown to love. The castles have been unbelievably beautiful and massive. Each towering over the small towns for protection in the Medieval times, they now serve as ambassadors of the towns so that they may be remembered for their history and the splendor of their castle.
I would definitely like to spend more time on the river exploring every castle and village longer, but am also very excited to venture into the very area that the Grimm brothers based the majority of their stories. I know that waterfalls and day hikes await me in the near future and I can't wait to have my camera in hand to try to capture some of the magic!
The solitude has been nice in moments, but I also am sad as I want to share my experiences with someone. Currently, I am working to get some pictures uploaded to a site so that you may view them. The link I have provided on my main page under the tab, "photos" is not working. I will keep trying! For those of you on Facebook, I am doing my best to upload to there as often as possible!
For now I must leave you in order to enjoy the beauty of my last day on the Rheine river!
I do hope you enjoy your last days of August and welcome September openly!
With Care,
Chelsea
8.31.2011
8.28.2011
A holland holiday
I write to you somewhere in Holland on my way towards Koeln, Germany. The past 4 days have certainly been interesting.
Upon my arrival into Amsterdam's airport at 6:45 am, I navigated my way by train and bus to the hostel I was staying at for the evening. While I was inquiring about the logistics of this travel, I also decided to purchase a 3-day tourist pass to cut down expense of my anticipated metro trips. When I received my tourist pass book I flipped through it realizing that not only did I get 72 hours of unlimited metro and bus travel, but I also had an entire book of free museum entrances and discounted tours.
Knowing this, I quickly discarded my bags and set off to Amsterdam's city centre. For the next three days this is all I could squeeze in:
-Rembrandts' Huis: Where the artist himself lived. The huis is decorated as he would have had it.
-Heritage Museum: Amsterdam & St. Petersburg shared important items (particularly dealing with religion). What makes the museum so unique is that the articles are the few remaining after Russia's several communist movements.
-Artis Zoo: I finally saw an elephant! But there's something not so nice about seeing it behind a cage.
-Heineken Experience: A walk through of how the famous beer was born in Amsterdam and how they maintain the same quality to this day.
-Blue Boat Tour: A boat tour through the canals of Amsterdam with some history added in.
-Van Gogh Museum: The museum with the most of Van Gogh's works in one place.
-Anne Frank Huis: The huis that Anne Frank and 7 other people hid in for about 2 years in World War II.
-Reypendaer Cheese Tasting: I learned that I quite like goat cheese compared to cow cheese. Overall, I enjoy all cheese!
-Rijksmuseum: The museum containing articles depicting Amsterdam's past with some Rembrandt, Degas, etc. thrown in!
-Diamond Museum: The museum showing off some of the most extravagant diamonds in the world.
-House of Bols Tour: A walk through of how Amsterdam's most famous spirit was conceived and created.
*I estimated that by doing all these things I would have spent about 100 euro, but with the pass I saved about half of that! That being said, if you go to Amsterdam get the tourist pass!
On Thursday I took the advice of my friend, Sanne, and visited a town about 20 minutes away (by train) called Utrecht. This place was shopping central! Although I don't have a lot of money to spend, I might have found a lovely pair of attractive short boots...
As I don't like to center my travel around shopping, I have to also include that this little town had a lot of lovely gothic style cathedrals. I walked through a few, but have to say that my favorite part is always the architecture on the outside. The high steeples, dark stone, sharp arches, and random stain glass are so beautiful.
As I wondered around I also found a lovely little park running beside a canal and took some time to enjoy the sunny day. I ended my day trip by drinking a cafe at a tapas restaurant beside another section of the canal.
At the moment I am sitting in a coach train car in the midst of 5 very happy German (I'm assuming) people. I haven't a clue what they are talking about, but I don't think I've heard anyone laugh so hard.
Looking out the train car window I catch glimpses of windmills, green fields, cathedrals, canals, and so much more. This very flat country is very beautiful because of the richness of color. It makes me wonder what I'll think of Virginia's "green" trees when I return home. I guess it won't help that it'll be autumn by then...
In about 2 1/2 hours I should be jumping off this train in Koeln, Germany (fingers crossed). From there I'll venture out into the city to try to find my hostel to dump my luggage and then wonder through the city. I'm excited for what lays ahead, but everyday I remember those kids in Rwanda.
It's relaxing and difficult to come back to "civilization." Not that Africa isn't civilized, but they have a different way of living that is not completely westernized. The relaxing aspect being that no one knows that I'm American until they try to talk to me. In Rwanda I was always a target. It was such an interesting experience to be the minority in a country due to my skin color. Something I think everyone should do once in their life.
I'll sign off for now and hope that the end of your August is treating you well.
With Care,
Chelsea
Upon my arrival into Amsterdam's airport at 6:45 am, I navigated my way by train and bus to the hostel I was staying at for the evening. While I was inquiring about the logistics of this travel, I also decided to purchase a 3-day tourist pass to cut down expense of my anticipated metro trips. When I received my tourist pass book I flipped through it realizing that not only did I get 72 hours of unlimited metro and bus travel, but I also had an entire book of free museum entrances and discounted tours.
Knowing this, I quickly discarded my bags and set off to Amsterdam's city centre. For the next three days this is all I could squeeze in:
-Rembrandts' Huis: Where the artist himself lived. The huis is decorated as he would have had it.
-Heritage Museum: Amsterdam & St. Petersburg shared important items (particularly dealing with religion). What makes the museum so unique is that the articles are the few remaining after Russia's several communist movements.
-Artis Zoo: I finally saw an elephant! But there's something not so nice about seeing it behind a cage.
-Heineken Experience: A walk through of how the famous beer was born in Amsterdam and how they maintain the same quality to this day.
-Blue Boat Tour: A boat tour through the canals of Amsterdam with some history added in.
-Van Gogh Museum: The museum with the most of Van Gogh's works in one place.
-Anne Frank Huis: The huis that Anne Frank and 7 other people hid in for about 2 years in World War II.
-Reypendaer Cheese Tasting: I learned that I quite like goat cheese compared to cow cheese. Overall, I enjoy all cheese!
-Rijksmuseum: The museum containing articles depicting Amsterdam's past with some Rembrandt, Degas, etc. thrown in!
-Diamond Museum: The museum showing off some of the most extravagant diamonds in the world.
-House of Bols Tour: A walk through of how Amsterdam's most famous spirit was conceived and created.
*I estimated that by doing all these things I would have spent about 100 euro, but with the pass I saved about half of that! That being said, if you go to Amsterdam get the tourist pass!
On Thursday I took the advice of my friend, Sanne, and visited a town about 20 minutes away (by train) called Utrecht. This place was shopping central! Although I don't have a lot of money to spend, I might have found a lovely pair of attractive short boots...
As I don't like to center my travel around shopping, I have to also include that this little town had a lot of lovely gothic style cathedrals. I walked through a few, but have to say that my favorite part is always the architecture on the outside. The high steeples, dark stone, sharp arches, and random stain glass are so beautiful.
As I wondered around I also found a lovely little park running beside a canal and took some time to enjoy the sunny day. I ended my day trip by drinking a cafe at a tapas restaurant beside another section of the canal.
At the moment I am sitting in a coach train car in the midst of 5 very happy German (I'm assuming) people. I haven't a clue what they are talking about, but I don't think I've heard anyone laugh so hard.
Looking out the train car window I catch glimpses of windmills, green fields, cathedrals, canals, and so much more. This very flat country is very beautiful because of the richness of color. It makes me wonder what I'll think of Virginia's "green" trees when I return home. I guess it won't help that it'll be autumn by then...
In about 2 1/2 hours I should be jumping off this train in Koeln, Germany (fingers crossed). From there I'll venture out into the city to try to find my hostel to dump my luggage and then wonder through the city. I'm excited for what lays ahead, but everyday I remember those kids in Rwanda.
It's relaxing and difficult to come back to "civilization." Not that Africa isn't civilized, but they have a different way of living that is not completely westernized. The relaxing aspect being that no one knows that I'm American until they try to talk to me. In Rwanda I was always a target. It was such an interesting experience to be the minority in a country due to my skin color. Something I think everyone should do once in their life.
I'll sign off for now and hope that the end of your August is treating you well.
With Care,
Chelsea
8.22.2011
A promise with a very sad goodbye
Where do I begin?
I guess in the middle, where I left you last.
The second week of my Rwandan journey was filled with physicals. Lots of physicals. To be exact, approximately 150 physicals. The most interesting thing about the whole process was how much I learned about each child by just testing their vision and hearing. Technology came to our rescue as we used an ipad app to test the children's vision and an ipod app to test their sound. Needless to say, a HUGE thank you note needs to be written to apple for the convenience they provided us during the medical physicals.
By the end of the week the three of us that (plus three of the translators) did all the physicals were exhausted. Who knew that sitting for hours in an un-air conditioned room examining dozens of children could be so hard?
The week was a blur for me as I prepared myself for the second camp at Sinapisi Orphanage. The difference between these children from the last is that these were true orphans. They lived on the premises that we would be having our camp and only had each other to turn to for help and support.
Sunday afternoon most of the volunteers went to the orphanage to meet the kids and just kind of hang out with them. It was amazing. Although I had already met them all, I enjoyed the approximate 2 hours with them regardless.
There's something really special that happens when you strip away the unnecessary aspects of a human. One aspect being language. As a dancer I've always related to movement, be it pedestrian or technical, more so than spoken word. This being said, I've become absolutely fascinated with communication through gesture. I don't mean huge hand signals, but how one will compensate for the short-comings of language through a smile or a hug (yambi in Kenyrwandan)
It's impossible to think that I just bonded with about 20 of the children in just 2 hours, but it happened. I left the orphanage at dusk on Sunday evening knowing that the week to come would only get better.
The week was amazing. It's so difficult to try to express it in words, but I will do my best to do so. The easiest way will be through a personal story that only I and one little girl named Anna Marie, share with each other.
The first day of physicals I met her. She had already been through her examinations and was just hanging around with the other girls her age. Dan and I started playing with them and that's when I saw the glimmer in her eye. I left the orphanage that night already shocked that I had a "favorite" and very prepared to change my mind the next day when I returned to do more physicals and see more kids.
As I talked to Stephanie (our doctor) about her, she told me that she asked Anna how old she was and she didn't know. She then proceeded to ask her when her birthday was and she didn't know that either.
My guess is that she is 8 or 9.
The next morning I met Sofia. Sofia is 3 and a bundle of a mess, but having her cling to me made me so happy. During the physicals Anna found me again in the classroom and waved and smiled. I returned the actions.
Sunday when all the volunteers went to the orphanage I got to hang out with Anna and the girls her age a bit longer. I discovered that tickling was a wonderful game that all ages could enjoy! Not only did I get more bonding time with Sofia, but snuck some time in with Anna.
I now had two "favorites," Anna and Sofia.
Monday morning was the first day of camp and we get our groups of girls assigned to us. The way it works is that the girls line up in age order (youngest to oldest) and we count off. I immediately noticed that Sofia was the first in line so I asked to be group number 1 to insure that I got her. As the count off began I got a group of about 9 girls including not only Sofia, but Anna as well.
Camp day #1 was amazing as expected and I left loving my two "favorites" even more.
Tuesday was the HIV/AIDS discussion day. After all the fun activities were through we all sat down with the girls and talked to them about their safety and how to make responsible choices. I sat my chair down behind all the girls and I noticed that Anna moved her chair to sit right beside me. As the talk began Anna kept edging closer and closer to me until I just offered her to sit in my lap.
As we sat through the discussion I had my arm wrapped around her back resting near her hip. Very quickly she took my hand and wrapped it tighter around her so that I was holding her entire stomach. Then she very delicately took my other hand and enter- locked her fingers in mine.
As I sat with this little girl a tear came to my eye as I realized that in 3 more short days I would have to leave her. I gave her a squeeze and held her for as long as I could.
Camp day #2 was successful.
Camp day #3 was wonderful. We had sewing projects that day. I had to go out of the orphanage to help run some errands that day and when I returned 2 hours later Anna still had not cut all of her fabric to be sewn. From past experiences I'd noticed that Anna was pretty shy and the other girls would "run her over" for lack of a better expression. I quietly sat with her as lunch was being served to the others and helped her with the cutting of the rest of her fabric. When she finished, a huge smiled spread across her face as she held her cut fabric tightly in her small hands.
Later in the day I got to learn some traditional Rwandan dance steps and as the day came to a close Anna ran up to me and said, "See you tomorrow!" I was so impressed that she'd spoken to me in English and it just proved that with patience all can learn.
Camp day #4 was kite day. We spent the morning teaching the girls about wind and then they all got to make and decorate their own kite! I can't wait to load the pictures because there isn't a better explanation. The laughter and smiles from the girls as they watched their own kite fly into the sky is unforgettable. I sat for 20 minutes and just took pictures.
As I was looking through them later in the evening I found a perfect picture of Anna. She's flopped on the ground and is smiling up at me, kite string in hand.
I was already dreading the goodbyes on Friday, but did my best to prepare.
On Friday all went well. We made dolls with the girls in the morning and then it was time for graduation! At the beginning of graduation I sat in a vacant seat about half way back as the older kids had prepared some songs and dances for us. As I sat there I spotted Anna about 3 rows in front of me. I saw that she had her head down in her arms, but she eventually looked up to watch the performances.
During a break I caught her looking at me and called her name. Our eyes met and then she turned around and hid her face in her hands. Then I saw the first heave of tears. Baffled I ran up to her row and did my best to communicate with her. Other girls around her tried talking to her and moving her hands from her face and she fought them off by tucking her head deeper in her knees. As she calmed down I gestured for her to come back with me and she grabbed my hand and followed.
Upon sitting down and placing her on my lap, Pam, one of our translators, said, "Chelsea, she really loves you." It was in that moment that I truly knew that I hadn't just picked a "favorite," but we had been drawn to each other. I hadn't fabricated some child to love me, but she actually did.
As I clung to Anna on my lap I took several deep breaths to fight off my own tears.
As graduation came to an end I had made a decision. I grabbed Pam to help me translate and I took Anna into the back hallway. I've never been one to pick favorites or not treat all in a equal manner, but there was something so raw and valid in the connection we shared that I felt what I was about to do was so necessary.
I took Anna's hand in mine and knelt down. Pam stood beside us. I first told Anna that I didn't want her to cry because I was leaving, but to smile because I was going to do everything I could to come back the next year. Pause, deep breath. I wanted her to be safe in the next year, to study hard, practice her English, and take care of her health because I wanted to return to see her grown, healthy, and happy. Pause, deep breath. I took the rag doll I had made earlier that day and placed it in her hands. I told her that I wanted her to have my doll that I had made and it was only for her. I told her that when she was feeling lonely or sad that she could hug the doll and know that I was thinking about her and loving her from all the way back in the United States. Pause, deep breath. Lastly I told her that tears were ok because they showed that you loved someone very much and that was a wonderful thing. Pause, deep breath. After all the translation had happened I gave her a hug and in the embrace I felt yet another heave soon followed by tears. Pause, deep breath, tears.
On my knees I was hugging this amazing little girl in a dark hallway, who was already so incredibly braver than I, wondering what I would ever do with myself for a year without seeing her smile or hearing her laughter. Soon another volunteer found us in our pathetic state and offered a group hug with her, Pam, Anna, and I. I grabbed a tissue from my pocket and wiped my tears and then wiped her. Pause, deep breath. I stood up and walked her back to the room where all the other children were and she walked back into the chaos.
For the rest of the day I continually found her in the mess of kids looking at me. It was like every time I could feel her looking at me and I knew the exact place in the room to find her.
As we packed up our bags and loaded the cars Anna just stood near me. Due to some complications a few of us stayed at the orphanage longer than expected, but just sat with the kids. Around 5:30 pm Anna wondered down into her house without another official goodbye, but I figured we both understood that it would be too difficult to do again. I noted that the doll was securely in her arms as she walked down the hill.
Rwanda has been life changing. I expected it to be. I didn't know what experiences I would have during my 3 weeks here, but I could have never guessed that such a strong bond could have been formed over the course of just 8 short days.
There are so many more stories that are phenomenal, but that one encompasses my whole trip. I've not just gone to do some charity work in a country that needs help. I've made a promise to 150 children that I will come back and see them again. I have vowed that I will do everything in my power to return so that I may instill some glimmer of hope with my dedication and unfailing love.
What scares me the most is how uncertain and unstable my life is at this moment and I know that the promises I made to these children really can't be broken. I have to make plans a year in advance and I have absolutely no clue where I will be.
For now I won't let my fear stop me. I made a promise that I intend to keep.
I made a promise to Anna.
All I can do at the moment is pray that a year goes by quickly with little injury to these kids I have fallen so deeply in love with. I can only hope for the best and do everything I can so that I may find myself stepping off of a plane only to return to the "Land of One Thousand Hills."
I guess in the middle, where I left you last.
The second week of my Rwandan journey was filled with physicals. Lots of physicals. To be exact, approximately 150 physicals. The most interesting thing about the whole process was how much I learned about each child by just testing their vision and hearing. Technology came to our rescue as we used an ipad app to test the children's vision and an ipod app to test their sound. Needless to say, a HUGE thank you note needs to be written to apple for the convenience they provided us during the medical physicals.
By the end of the week the three of us that (plus three of the translators) did all the physicals were exhausted. Who knew that sitting for hours in an un-air conditioned room examining dozens of children could be so hard?
The week was a blur for me as I prepared myself for the second camp at Sinapisi Orphanage. The difference between these children from the last is that these were true orphans. They lived on the premises that we would be having our camp and only had each other to turn to for help and support.
Sunday afternoon most of the volunteers went to the orphanage to meet the kids and just kind of hang out with them. It was amazing. Although I had already met them all, I enjoyed the approximate 2 hours with them regardless.
There's something really special that happens when you strip away the unnecessary aspects of a human. One aspect being language. As a dancer I've always related to movement, be it pedestrian or technical, more so than spoken word. This being said, I've become absolutely fascinated with communication through gesture. I don't mean huge hand signals, but how one will compensate for the short-comings of language through a smile or a hug (yambi in Kenyrwandan)
It's impossible to think that I just bonded with about 20 of the children in just 2 hours, but it happened. I left the orphanage at dusk on Sunday evening knowing that the week to come would only get better.
The week was amazing. It's so difficult to try to express it in words, but I will do my best to do so. The easiest way will be through a personal story that only I and one little girl named Anna Marie, share with each other.
The first day of physicals I met her. She had already been through her examinations and was just hanging around with the other girls her age. Dan and I started playing with them and that's when I saw the glimmer in her eye. I left the orphanage that night already shocked that I had a "favorite" and very prepared to change my mind the next day when I returned to do more physicals and see more kids.
As I talked to Stephanie (our doctor) about her, she told me that she asked Anna how old she was and she didn't know. She then proceeded to ask her when her birthday was and she didn't know that either.
My guess is that she is 8 or 9.
The next morning I met Sofia. Sofia is 3 and a bundle of a mess, but having her cling to me made me so happy. During the physicals Anna found me again in the classroom and waved and smiled. I returned the actions.
Sunday when all the volunteers went to the orphanage I got to hang out with Anna and the girls her age a bit longer. I discovered that tickling was a wonderful game that all ages could enjoy! Not only did I get more bonding time with Sofia, but snuck some time in with Anna.
I now had two "favorites," Anna and Sofia.
Monday morning was the first day of camp and we get our groups of girls assigned to us. The way it works is that the girls line up in age order (youngest to oldest) and we count off. I immediately noticed that Sofia was the first in line so I asked to be group number 1 to insure that I got her. As the count off began I got a group of about 9 girls including not only Sofia, but Anna as well.
Camp day #1 was amazing as expected and I left loving my two "favorites" even more.
Tuesday was the HIV/AIDS discussion day. After all the fun activities were through we all sat down with the girls and talked to them about their safety and how to make responsible choices. I sat my chair down behind all the girls and I noticed that Anna moved her chair to sit right beside me. As the talk began Anna kept edging closer and closer to me until I just offered her to sit in my lap.
As we sat through the discussion I had my arm wrapped around her back resting near her hip. Very quickly she took my hand and wrapped it tighter around her so that I was holding her entire stomach. Then she very delicately took my other hand and enter- locked her fingers in mine.
As I sat with this little girl a tear came to my eye as I realized that in 3 more short days I would have to leave her. I gave her a squeeze and held her for as long as I could.
Camp day #2 was successful.
Camp day #3 was wonderful. We had sewing projects that day. I had to go out of the orphanage to help run some errands that day and when I returned 2 hours later Anna still had not cut all of her fabric to be sewn. From past experiences I'd noticed that Anna was pretty shy and the other girls would "run her over" for lack of a better expression. I quietly sat with her as lunch was being served to the others and helped her with the cutting of the rest of her fabric. When she finished, a huge smiled spread across her face as she held her cut fabric tightly in her small hands.
Later in the day I got to learn some traditional Rwandan dance steps and as the day came to a close Anna ran up to me and said, "See you tomorrow!" I was so impressed that she'd spoken to me in English and it just proved that with patience all can learn.
Camp day #4 was kite day. We spent the morning teaching the girls about wind and then they all got to make and decorate their own kite! I can't wait to load the pictures because there isn't a better explanation. The laughter and smiles from the girls as they watched their own kite fly into the sky is unforgettable. I sat for 20 minutes and just took pictures.
As I was looking through them later in the evening I found a perfect picture of Anna. She's flopped on the ground and is smiling up at me, kite string in hand.
I was already dreading the goodbyes on Friday, but did my best to prepare.
On Friday all went well. We made dolls with the girls in the morning and then it was time for graduation! At the beginning of graduation I sat in a vacant seat about half way back as the older kids had prepared some songs and dances for us. As I sat there I spotted Anna about 3 rows in front of me. I saw that she had her head down in her arms, but she eventually looked up to watch the performances.
During a break I caught her looking at me and called her name. Our eyes met and then she turned around and hid her face in her hands. Then I saw the first heave of tears. Baffled I ran up to her row and did my best to communicate with her. Other girls around her tried talking to her and moving her hands from her face and she fought them off by tucking her head deeper in her knees. As she calmed down I gestured for her to come back with me and she grabbed my hand and followed.
Upon sitting down and placing her on my lap, Pam, one of our translators, said, "Chelsea, she really loves you." It was in that moment that I truly knew that I hadn't just picked a "favorite," but we had been drawn to each other. I hadn't fabricated some child to love me, but she actually did.
As I clung to Anna on my lap I took several deep breaths to fight off my own tears.
As graduation came to an end I had made a decision. I grabbed Pam to help me translate and I took Anna into the back hallway. I've never been one to pick favorites or not treat all in a equal manner, but there was something so raw and valid in the connection we shared that I felt what I was about to do was so necessary.
I took Anna's hand in mine and knelt down. Pam stood beside us. I first told Anna that I didn't want her to cry because I was leaving, but to smile because I was going to do everything I could to come back the next year. Pause, deep breath. I wanted her to be safe in the next year, to study hard, practice her English, and take care of her health because I wanted to return to see her grown, healthy, and happy. Pause, deep breath. I took the rag doll I had made earlier that day and placed it in her hands. I told her that I wanted her to have my doll that I had made and it was only for her. I told her that when she was feeling lonely or sad that she could hug the doll and know that I was thinking about her and loving her from all the way back in the United States. Pause, deep breath. Lastly I told her that tears were ok because they showed that you loved someone very much and that was a wonderful thing. Pause, deep breath. After all the translation had happened I gave her a hug and in the embrace I felt yet another heave soon followed by tears. Pause, deep breath, tears.
On my knees I was hugging this amazing little girl in a dark hallway, who was already so incredibly braver than I, wondering what I would ever do with myself for a year without seeing her smile or hearing her laughter. Soon another volunteer found us in our pathetic state and offered a group hug with her, Pam, Anna, and I. I grabbed a tissue from my pocket and wiped my tears and then wiped her. Pause, deep breath. I stood up and walked her back to the room where all the other children were and she walked back into the chaos.
For the rest of the day I continually found her in the mess of kids looking at me. It was like every time I could feel her looking at me and I knew the exact place in the room to find her.
As we packed up our bags and loaded the cars Anna just stood near me. Due to some complications a few of us stayed at the orphanage longer than expected, but just sat with the kids. Around 5:30 pm Anna wondered down into her house without another official goodbye, but I figured we both understood that it would be too difficult to do again. I noted that the doll was securely in her arms as she walked down the hill.
Rwanda has been life changing. I expected it to be. I didn't know what experiences I would have during my 3 weeks here, but I could have never guessed that such a strong bond could have been formed over the course of just 8 short days.
There are so many more stories that are phenomenal, but that one encompasses my whole trip. I've not just gone to do some charity work in a country that needs help. I've made a promise to 150 children that I will come back and see them again. I have vowed that I will do everything in my power to return so that I may instill some glimmer of hope with my dedication and unfailing love.
What scares me the most is how uncertain and unstable my life is at this moment and I know that the promises I made to these children really can't be broken. I have to make plans a year in advance and I have absolutely no clue where I will be.
For now I won't let my fear stop me. I made a promise that I intend to keep.
I made a promise to Anna.
All I can do at the moment is pray that a year goes by quickly with little injury to these kids I have fallen so deeply in love with. I can only hope for the best and do everything I can so that I may find myself stepping off of a plane only to return to the "Land of One Thousand Hills."
8.11.2011
The Land of One Thousand Hills
Where do I begin?
Let's start simple...
It's the 11th of August, 2011 @ 10:20 am in Kigali, Rwanda.
I have 11 full days left in Africa.
I've been in Africa for 12 days thus far.
With the flood of thoughts and stories I want to share with you at the moment, I must first explain Rwanda for you. Before I left the states there was quite a bit of concern in a lot of your voices when I said I would be in Rwanda. Some were weary of my visit to Africa and others were worried as I would be specifically in Rwanda.
17 years ago there was a genocide here. Within 100 days more than 1 million Rwandans were killed in brutal and gruesome ways. Western culture unfortunately inspired this hatred and ultimately aided in the ethnic purity genocide between the Hutu and the Tuzi tribes. All countries, including the U.S.A., that could have quickly ended this small and disorganized destructive militia decided to flee the country in this time of need. Men, women, and children were ruthlessly killed in their homes, on the streets, and even in churches. AIDS was also used as a means of biochemical warfare to hurt women and the generations of children they may have. At the end of this ethnic purification genocide (100 days) the streets of Kigali (the capitol) were barren. No prisoners were taken, all were left for dead.
17 years later in 2011 Kigali, Rwanda couldn't be a more bustling city. It's amazing to see how much Rwanda has progressed since the genocide. Actually it's quite unbelievable. After things calmed down in Rwanda, the president begged Rwandans that had fled the country to return to their homeland. Many did and the result has been nothing but positive.
I have been fortunate enough to meet so many wonderful Rwandans in my short 12 days so far. Everyone is so willing to help you and most do not try to rip you off because you are a Umuzungu (white foreigner).
With all of this being said, Rwanda is safe. Actually, it is one of the safest countries in Africa.
Now onto business...
The first week I was here I helped Hope Shines with the CSC camp or the Child Support Centre camp. Since Hope Shines is a fairly new and small organization, it's main purpose is to help orphanages and child centres by providing monetary donations, supplies, and instilling hope in the children by coming back every year to do a camp. If you are interested in learning more about Hope Shines please check out their website at:
www.hopeshines.net
You can also donate online if you would like to support in that fashion. If you have more questions I can help answer them or direct you to someone that can!
The CSC camp works with children that are identified as orphans, but have at least one parent or guardian taking care of them. It's important to remember that even though raising a child or children in the states as a single parent is difficult, many have not dealt with psychological issues such as watching their loved ones slaughtered in front of them or watching your children suffer from HIV/AIDS because you were raped with an HIV+ militia man. The darkness that these people have seen is unreal.
I'll never forget that the first day we met all the translators that are helping us these three weeks and we were going around talking about the experiences we had in middle school. I talked about loosing my best friend, another American woman talked about being bullied. We got to one of the male translators and when he was eight he returned to his home in Rwanda to find all of his family members dead. I immediately thought it couldn't be worse, but then he continued to explain how there was no one around to help him bury them so he had to sleep in the house for 2 days until someone came to help him.
It's unreal.
These stories are not to make you pity the people of Rwanda, but to shed some light on how others live. Getting to know 50 children in Rwanda and how they live has completely shifted the way I view my own life, but it's even worse knowing that they are not the only ones living these horrors.
Ok, back to the CSC camp for a third time. It was wonderful. We separated the girls from the boys and the volunteers as well. I was the "mom" for 5 lovely little girls for the majority of the camp. I had 10 year old Ashet (or Rachel... That was her real name, but she wanted me to call her Ashet), 11 year old Parfeite, 13 year old Scovia, 13 year old Linda, and 15 year old Lydia. The first day they all looked at me as if I was crazy. My exaggerated hand gestures and goofy moves just made them stare at me even more. The language barrier didn't help either.
I remember going home thinking, "Well at least I know I'm trying to help. If the girls don't like me it'll just be 4 more days..."
By Wednesday I couldn't get them to be quiet. They opened up so much to me. We spent our spare time trying to learn more words in each other's native languages and play different cultural games.
By Friday there were tears as we all realized we would soon be saying good bye to one another. I couldn't escape their hugs without promising that I would find a way to come back to see them again.
It's something in their eyes that lights up when you realize that through our differences we are the same. Our wants and desires are similar as well as simple. They want to be loved.
Five years ago the founder of Hope Shines, April, picked up a little girl that just wanted to be held and realized that every child should feel loved. Hope Shines has returned every year to the same kids and we gain their trust more and more every time we return.
My heart has already been touched by these children. They are so open to learning and trusting you. From my experiences with elementary school children back in the states, I have to worry about hugging them being viewed as sexual assault or as abuse. Here the kids cling onto you. It's in the simplest moments that you realize that the legalities that most of us are used to living in aren't suitable for every culture or every person.
One day at the camp Parfeite was drawing and she showed me a picture she had drawn of a heart with April's name inside it. I praised her and told her it was so beautiful. Two minutes later I felt a tug on my shirt sleeve. As I looked down I met eyes with Parfeite and she pointed to another heart she had drawn beside the other with my name inside it. How can you not love that?
On top of the wonderful experiences I've had with the children, the volunteers with Hope Shines are phenomenal. Most of them are American, but I feel so honored to be surrounded by such well-traveled and caring people. I am one of the youngest volunteers, but age doesn't make a bit of difference. The fact that we are all here for the children is what matters. Every evening is filled with interesting discussions and stories that I can only hope that one day I can have myself and then share with others.
I have also met more wonderful people that are staying at the same hotel as us. Every day at breakfast we meet new people and hear their stories as well. Many are christian missionaries, but I have also met a girl interning at a children's organization for two months, a girl that just summited Mt. Kilamonjaro, and a woman who just returned from the Congo that is doing research for her tenure at Yale in the Divinity School. Single women travelers are taking over the world and it makes me feel very empowered as well as eager for my ventures soon to come in Germany.
If any of this can inspire you to travel to somewhere new then I have done my job. I've found that through my travels I meet so many interesting people from all over. As I leave them I then make a mental note that I need to visit where they live, hence making plans for a new trip. For example, one of Hope Shines employees is Clementine from the UK. Now I need to visit Scotland and the UK. I get to see a friend again as well as explore somewhere new!
After the 1st camp I go to go on my first safari on Saturday! What I remember most is lots of dirt roads and potholes... I'm not a fan.
It was actually not what I had expected, but seeing the animals was so awesome. Rwanda's nickname is The Land of One Thousand Hills and it is definitely true. The typical safari stereotype of flat terrain and elephants running beside you was not exactly fulfilled, but I'm most excited about the other safari I'll go on in the near future. I got to see zebras, giraffes, water buffalo, antelopes, baboons, warthogs, a mamba, hippos, and lots of birds! No elephants, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the next safari!
The past couple days have been filled with medical physicals at the orphanage where the second camp will be and today we begin the physicals of the CSC kids we worked with last week. I'm so excited to get to see them again!
The camp next week is an actual orphanage. It really pulls at my heart. Yesterday the "house moms" or the women that oversee a number of the kids told us how the kids got to the orphanage. Some were left in the trash, others were children of rape, others were abandoned in the forest, etc. As I get to know the children I can feel my heart breaking. I want to help them all and at this moment in my life can barely take care of myself.
I already have a favorite although I'd never show it. Her name is Anna Marie and she must be about 8. She doesn't know her actual age or her birthday, but I did her physical on Tuesday and yesterday (Wednesday) she found me again. She's so precious and I just want to be with her all the time.
At this moment I feel that Rwanda has been an amazing experience, but know that it's not the last time I'll be here. Unfortunately the expense of even getting over here is so expensive I don't know when I'll be able to make it again, but I know I will. On top of my promise to the children I also want to travel Rwanda some more. I want to see the gorillas and the volcanoes in the northern mountains and hike the southern part so badly.
Rwanda is such a beautiful country. The rolling hills can get exhausting to walk up and down, but it's worth the scenic view.
At the moment I need to sign off to get ready for my day. Within the next few days I'll try to document a few special stories of my time spent here assuming the internet gods are with me!
I hope all is well with you and that you are enjoying August's sunny weather!
With Care,
Chelsea
Let's start simple...
It's the 11th of August, 2011 @ 10:20 am in Kigali, Rwanda.
I have 11 full days left in Africa.
I've been in Africa for 12 days thus far.
With the flood of thoughts and stories I want to share with you at the moment, I must first explain Rwanda for you. Before I left the states there was quite a bit of concern in a lot of your voices when I said I would be in Rwanda. Some were weary of my visit to Africa and others were worried as I would be specifically in Rwanda.
17 years ago there was a genocide here. Within 100 days more than 1 million Rwandans were killed in brutal and gruesome ways. Western culture unfortunately inspired this hatred and ultimately aided in the ethnic purity genocide between the Hutu and the Tuzi tribes. All countries, including the U.S.A., that could have quickly ended this small and disorganized destructive militia decided to flee the country in this time of need. Men, women, and children were ruthlessly killed in their homes, on the streets, and even in churches. AIDS was also used as a means of biochemical warfare to hurt women and the generations of children they may have. At the end of this ethnic purification genocide (100 days) the streets of Kigali (the capitol) were barren. No prisoners were taken, all were left for dead.
17 years later in 2011 Kigali, Rwanda couldn't be a more bustling city. It's amazing to see how much Rwanda has progressed since the genocide. Actually it's quite unbelievable. After things calmed down in Rwanda, the president begged Rwandans that had fled the country to return to their homeland. Many did and the result has been nothing but positive.
I have been fortunate enough to meet so many wonderful Rwandans in my short 12 days so far. Everyone is so willing to help you and most do not try to rip you off because you are a Umuzungu (white foreigner).
With all of this being said, Rwanda is safe. Actually, it is one of the safest countries in Africa.
Now onto business...
The first week I was here I helped Hope Shines with the CSC camp or the Child Support Centre camp. Since Hope Shines is a fairly new and small organization, it's main purpose is to help orphanages and child centres by providing monetary donations, supplies, and instilling hope in the children by coming back every year to do a camp. If you are interested in learning more about Hope Shines please check out their website at:
www.hopeshines.net
You can also donate online if you would like to support in that fashion. If you have more questions I can help answer them or direct you to someone that can!
The CSC camp works with children that are identified as orphans, but have at least one parent or guardian taking care of them. It's important to remember that even though raising a child or children in the states as a single parent is difficult, many have not dealt with psychological issues such as watching their loved ones slaughtered in front of them or watching your children suffer from HIV/AIDS because you were raped with an HIV+ militia man. The darkness that these people have seen is unreal.
I'll never forget that the first day we met all the translators that are helping us these three weeks and we were going around talking about the experiences we had in middle school. I talked about loosing my best friend, another American woman talked about being bullied. We got to one of the male translators and when he was eight he returned to his home in Rwanda to find all of his family members dead. I immediately thought it couldn't be worse, but then he continued to explain how there was no one around to help him bury them so he had to sleep in the house for 2 days until someone came to help him.
It's unreal.
These stories are not to make you pity the people of Rwanda, but to shed some light on how others live. Getting to know 50 children in Rwanda and how they live has completely shifted the way I view my own life, but it's even worse knowing that they are not the only ones living these horrors.
Ok, back to the CSC camp for a third time. It was wonderful. We separated the girls from the boys and the volunteers as well. I was the "mom" for 5 lovely little girls for the majority of the camp. I had 10 year old Ashet (or Rachel... That was her real name, but she wanted me to call her Ashet), 11 year old Parfeite, 13 year old Scovia, 13 year old Linda, and 15 year old Lydia. The first day they all looked at me as if I was crazy. My exaggerated hand gestures and goofy moves just made them stare at me even more. The language barrier didn't help either.
I remember going home thinking, "Well at least I know I'm trying to help. If the girls don't like me it'll just be 4 more days..."
By Wednesday I couldn't get them to be quiet. They opened up so much to me. We spent our spare time trying to learn more words in each other's native languages and play different cultural games.
By Friday there were tears as we all realized we would soon be saying good bye to one another. I couldn't escape their hugs without promising that I would find a way to come back to see them again.
It's something in their eyes that lights up when you realize that through our differences we are the same. Our wants and desires are similar as well as simple. They want to be loved.
Five years ago the founder of Hope Shines, April, picked up a little girl that just wanted to be held and realized that every child should feel loved. Hope Shines has returned every year to the same kids and we gain their trust more and more every time we return.
My heart has already been touched by these children. They are so open to learning and trusting you. From my experiences with elementary school children back in the states, I have to worry about hugging them being viewed as sexual assault or as abuse. Here the kids cling onto you. It's in the simplest moments that you realize that the legalities that most of us are used to living in aren't suitable for every culture or every person.
One day at the camp Parfeite was drawing and she showed me a picture she had drawn of a heart with April's name inside it. I praised her and told her it was so beautiful. Two minutes later I felt a tug on my shirt sleeve. As I looked down I met eyes with Parfeite and she pointed to another heart she had drawn beside the other with my name inside it. How can you not love that?
On top of the wonderful experiences I've had with the children, the volunteers with Hope Shines are phenomenal. Most of them are American, but I feel so honored to be surrounded by such well-traveled and caring people. I am one of the youngest volunteers, but age doesn't make a bit of difference. The fact that we are all here for the children is what matters. Every evening is filled with interesting discussions and stories that I can only hope that one day I can have myself and then share with others.
I have also met more wonderful people that are staying at the same hotel as us. Every day at breakfast we meet new people and hear their stories as well. Many are christian missionaries, but I have also met a girl interning at a children's organization for two months, a girl that just summited Mt. Kilamonjaro, and a woman who just returned from the Congo that is doing research for her tenure at Yale in the Divinity School. Single women travelers are taking over the world and it makes me feel very empowered as well as eager for my ventures soon to come in Germany.
If any of this can inspire you to travel to somewhere new then I have done my job. I've found that through my travels I meet so many interesting people from all over. As I leave them I then make a mental note that I need to visit where they live, hence making plans for a new trip. For example, one of Hope Shines employees is Clementine from the UK. Now I need to visit Scotland and the UK. I get to see a friend again as well as explore somewhere new!
After the 1st camp I go to go on my first safari on Saturday! What I remember most is lots of dirt roads and potholes... I'm not a fan.
It was actually not what I had expected, but seeing the animals was so awesome. Rwanda's nickname is The Land of One Thousand Hills and it is definitely true. The typical safari stereotype of flat terrain and elephants running beside you was not exactly fulfilled, but I'm most excited about the other safari I'll go on in the near future. I got to see zebras, giraffes, water buffalo, antelopes, baboons, warthogs, a mamba, hippos, and lots of birds! No elephants, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the next safari!
The past couple days have been filled with medical physicals at the orphanage where the second camp will be and today we begin the physicals of the CSC kids we worked with last week. I'm so excited to get to see them again!
The camp next week is an actual orphanage. It really pulls at my heart. Yesterday the "house moms" or the women that oversee a number of the kids told us how the kids got to the orphanage. Some were left in the trash, others were children of rape, others were abandoned in the forest, etc. As I get to know the children I can feel my heart breaking. I want to help them all and at this moment in my life can barely take care of myself.
I already have a favorite although I'd never show it. Her name is Anna Marie and she must be about 8. She doesn't know her actual age or her birthday, but I did her physical on Tuesday and yesterday (Wednesday) she found me again. She's so precious and I just want to be with her all the time.
At this moment I feel that Rwanda has been an amazing experience, but know that it's not the last time I'll be here. Unfortunately the expense of even getting over here is so expensive I don't know when I'll be able to make it again, but I know I will. On top of my promise to the children I also want to travel Rwanda some more. I want to see the gorillas and the volcanoes in the northern mountains and hike the southern part so badly.
Rwanda is such a beautiful country. The rolling hills can get exhausting to walk up and down, but it's worth the scenic view.
At the moment I need to sign off to get ready for my day. Within the next few days I'll try to document a few special stories of my time spent here assuming the internet gods are with me!
I hope all is well with you and that you are enjoying August's sunny weather!
With Care,
Chelsea
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)