Swearing- In in Kigali

I never seem to realize how quickly time is going by, you know? We're going to swear in as official volunteers (well, those of us that transferred from Mauritania are already volunteers, but we're still going to be there and do it) on the 17th or 18 th of December. Just like in Mauritania we have a speech in the local language and just like in Mauritania, I get to be the speaker! We're having one in Kinyarwanda, English, and French, so I'm doing the kinyarwanda one along with my friend Kevin, and even wearing traditional Rwandan clothing! I'm really happy. I've really enjoyed being here: these 3 months of training have been incredible! My teachers are mostly between 25 and 30 years old, college educated locals, and we have so much fun together! One thing Africa definitely has is laughter, and we laugh SO MUCH! I love it!

Its really cool that Rwanda has made so much progress in the last 15 years socially, politically, and in education: most people speak a bit of English, good French, and many speak fluent Swahili. In any case its great because we can bond in ways that I wasn't able to do in Mauritania for a long time (until I had a good handle on the language) : with the English and French we understand each other, make jokes, and learn so much about each other's cultures. It also helps A TON that I already lived in Africa for so long: I can understand the way they think, see things, do things, their sense of humor, real limitations, social heirarchies, and the conservatism. One of their favorite things to say as a compliment to an American is " You're a REAL Rwandan!" meaning that you really understand the culture and have thoroughly integrated in to their way of life here. Its weird because I hear that pretty often. (Do I sound like a jerk? I don't mean to, just to share the truth of the matter ;)

In America there is this growing sense of "what is my identity" as people loose touch with thier origins, heritage, and traditions as generations of people stay in America. And its totally like that here, too: I'm the muzungu aka white person(moo-zoon-goo), but well adapted; one of the latinas in the group, but not fully (we're not born in South or Central America, but know some of the traditions as our own), even the fact that I've already seved a year in Africa as a PCV and am now demoted (?), well, considered a PCT (peace corps trainee instead of volunteer). Then looking at all the women my age here: married, with children. So weird! but now so are some of my friends in America! And my Grandmas are like " Oh, Michele, when are you going to have babies?!" and its like, "Woah! What's going on here?!!!" Getting older is starting to feel like the world is turning upside and too fast!

It turns out that we transfers are totally considered second year volunteers and can finish our service in December 2010/ January 2011. I'll be home before you know it! I think of you guys all the time and wish I had better internet service to at least connect to you once in a while. As it is we have to go to internet cafes with the slowest dial up connection ever. And its either spend my daily 1,000 amafaranga (about $2) on clothes, special foods, or internet.... sorry guys! (Everyone dresses as fashionably as possible here.. I have to keep up with the lastest fashions that arrive from the European/American good will!) I would say to please call me, because I wold LOVE to talk to you! But... I lost my phone! They cost about 15,000 FR for a cheap Nokia.... so I'll have to save up for a bit and I'll let you know when I buy a replacement ;)