I always wonder, can I sum up a whole trip in just one picture, maybe two? Sadly, no. I can never decide, so I give up and post far more photos than necessary. This was my 5th trip to Rwanda since I moved to Uganda a year and a half ago, but this time we saw and did a whole host of new things...
My coworker Abby and I flew to Rwanda for a 5-day planning trip. (Seriously, what is this job I have?!) We had a fabulous time. We expertly navigated a good deal of planning for our upcoming trip with both old and new sites, visited some places just for fun, had endless good conversations and it was made all that much more enjoyable with plenty of coffee stops along the way.
(Some of) what we saw and did:
1. Ivuka Arts Gallery... VERY COOL. An artists cooperative/gallery space in Kigali.
2. Dinner with the Karyegesa's... Emmanuel is a former honors college student, now doing very cool micro-finance work in Rwanda, and his new wife, Julianna (also UCU graduate).
3. The fabric market. OH. MY. GOODNESS. Totally overwhelming, glorious colors, patterns, stacks and stacks of FABRIC. And this was just ONE shop! (Abby and I each came back with an extra bag loaded with fabric...)
4. Hillywood. Thats right folks. The land of a thousand hills.
5. Golden Crested Cranes at the Stipp Hotel in Gisenyi. (Where we revamped with a cup of coffee.)
5. Sunset over Lake Kivu- which lies between Rwanda and Congo.
6. Plants seen from the top.
7. Who says latrines can't be beautiful? They didn't necessarily smell as beautiful... but, what a lovely spot, hey?
8. Barefoot Artists project: The Rwanda Healing Garden. A memorial just outside of Gisenyi that has been beautified by community artist, Lily Yeh. What does it mean to have memorials? What is the difference between one showing the stark, horrific reality, and one that is beautifully and sensitively designed to offer solace and hope? (A conversation I'm excited to engage the students in when we come back in April.) Here I am with Jean Bosco, the community organizer who helped with the development and implementation of this project, and the woman who cares for this memorial.
9. A woman's sewing project in Gisenyi.
10. Another project with Lily Yeh. She held drawing/painting workshops with the children of this village, and then transposed their drawings onto the walls of their houses. The sum total a very exuberant effect: each house donning its paintings proudly. Whimsical, colorful, unselfconscious children's artwork, larger than life for everyone to enjoy...
11. A Batwa Pottery Project. Here a woman whips up a large coil pot with skill and ease.
12. The Virunga Mountains, which you drive by on the way to Gisenyi. This is Muhabura I believe. The Virungas are an extinct string of volcanos famous for their mountain gorillas. (Diane Fossey did her research here.)
13. Three of the mountains.
14. Coming back into Kigali... the late afternoon sunshine hitting the hills and the city just right.
15. Abby and I enjoying out last lunch at O Sole Luna restaurant. Yum.
Such a good trip. I'm throughly pumped (and planned!) for April when we will return with the students. Oh, and PS- our returning flight was routed through Bujumbura, Burundi. I can now officially say I have been to all east african countries. WHOOT!
6 comments:
Wow, what a trip! I'm so impressed by how many community art developments there are! And I'm anxious to see more pics of your stash of fabric:)
Can I link to your blog from mine or is that a no-no in blogging world? yeah, for recording it all in photos and words!
Hey, can i have a link to your blog from my blog to pass on the summary and photos? thanks for the photo and written record of a great trip! good times in "hillywood"!
Oh this was so wonderful to see. . .children's art on the walls of houses!!! That was my favorite (besides those gorgeous elephants (?) beside the sewing machine). You've given me the energy to go back to writing on my project, though art is so immediately satisfying--maybe I should start writing my story up the kitchen walls. . .
Oh I love it! I love all the photos that capture just where all you went. Thanks for the update! And what fun art projects. That lady has quite a unique ministry and calling. I love what she's done with it there. Can't wait to hear how you bring it up with the students too! So fun. :)
MJ
Loved seeing your pictures! My book group just finished reading An Ordinary Man and it helped me to see the hills and the countryside. What a beautiful place. Interesting to think about the difference between the memorial that is beautiful and peaceful and may bring some healing and one that is a stark reminder of the worst that humans can do.
I just got back from Missoula and saw my crew there as well as your sister of course! The dresses for Kara's wedding for the little ones are so cute! They will be great. Wish we were able to be there with you all!
Love you,
Aunt Meredith
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