T.I.A. stands for, "This is Africa."
Most would immediately find this phrase to represent all of the difficulties and frustrations one would experience while traveling in Africa, but I tend to not see it quite that way. Don't get me wrong working in Africa is a much different process with different expectations than in the United States, but not for all bad reasons.
This is my story of why, "This is Africa," and why I will always return.
July 11, 2012:
When you land in Kigali, you exit the plane by walking down stairs and find yourself standing in the middle of a vast tarmac seeing only the land of Africa around you. Very few get the extraordinary opportunity to relive a sensation captured in Hollywood movies such as 'Casablanca' or 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'. That sensation being bone-chilling excitement.
I have disembarked many planes in my life thus far and can say nothing quite beats breathing in the African air. There's something about it that whispers opportunity to you and immediately you find your self thinking more openly abstract to insure your survival. It's the chill factor you get from the beach, mixed with the anxiety you feel lost in the woods... and it's addictive...
After my 'moment' on the tarmac I proceeded to do what all countries make you do when you enter, customs! I flew through and stood in front of baggage claim with all fingers crossed for my 5 checked bags... and... they arrived! I walked through baggage claim and was greeted by the friendly face of an old friend, William.
I met William last year and everyday grew to enjoy his company even more. 6 years ago when April (founder) travelled to Rwanda for the first time on a business trip William was her driver for the week. Every year when the camps happened April could think of no one else she would rather have help her to get everything moving! William has been a huge help for us as he helps us to all of our negotiating, networking, shopping, and travel to a from camps!
We loaded everything in the car and headed off to the Hotel Iris! Friends, here is our 1st "T.I.A." experience.
When I got to the Iris I was informed that they did not have me checking in until Wednesday and all of their other rooms were booked for the night! The man said he could keep all of my extra suitcases for the night in storage and took me to another hotel around the corner. The hotel was fine and William told me it was safe so I knew I'd be ok, but after traveling for 36 hours and being exhausted you just want to SLEEP!
I dropped my things off at the hotel and went to exchange money & buy minutes for my phone. When I was finally back in my room I organized my things, sent a few emails, showered, and slept... For 12 hours.
July 12, 2012
After a wonderful night full of slumber I met William with a GIANT shopping list!
There is always a bit of culture shock, but the biggest part of get adjusted is how you fit into the Rwandan community or rather lack thereof. If you are light skinned, you are an oddity. Women stare at you and tell you you're beautiful, men stare at you and as you to be their wife, and others notice you as a person to try to sell things to!
Going to the markets with William is always an adventure and I feel that we were very successful in finding what we needed! Thank goodness I have him with me to help translate as my Kenya-rwandan is sub-par... Actually, non-existent!
To paint a visual of the markets for you, the streets are about the size of a one-way street in the U.S., but there are cars pulled up onto the curves on both sides as parkings spots. There are about 15 people crossing the street at any given time and no regard to the thought of getting run over! The road is dirt and on a hill as Rwanda is called, "The Land of One Thousand Hills!" If that's not enough chaos for you add about 10 more moped taxis with 2 people on each one weaving through the traffic! Just chaos! So glad I don't have to drive here!
After shopping I spent the rest of the afternoon organizing the apartment for the additional 6 suitcases that are coming on Saturday (and organizing myself so I am not a mess by the time the camps start)!
I am so happy with all that we already have in the apartment and am so impressed by the generosity of those that see the need and respond to it. I reach out to everyone that has helped me or Hope Shines prepare for these camps and thank you! They literally wouldn't happen without your support!
I promised more exciting blogs a couple days ago in my sleep-deprived typing and it will happen. When I finally get to see the kids I know I will have a thousand thoughts in my head and will be spinning!
I hope the summer months are wonderful back home and will write more soon (bearing that something interesting happens!)
With Care,
Chelsea
