it's friday morning just before 10am and i am just getting into DOCS. the chaffeur was busy so i had to find my own way--- which wasn't a problem.
i have so much to report, i don't even know where to begin.
it's funny because at the end of the day i have so much running through me i feel i might explode and then when i finally get a chance to sitdown here and share, i don't know where to begin or am even sure what all to share.
yesterday was interesting: it started out as something i THOUGHT was a celebration for international nurse's day, which turned into a lecture on the upcoming elections in june. i wouldn't so much call it a political rally--- no, more of something like an information session--- but then it didn't APPEAR that it was necessarily in support of the current political situation either. but then how would i know, i don't speak congolese swahili!!!! not to alarm anyone (mom and dad, it's totally fine) but there were some UN peacekeepers there. they are really cool--- i of course said "hello." we chatted for a bit. they were just there to say they support the people of congo in the most PEACEFUL process as possible. that's always nice to hear. this all took place in a church next to where i am working/ or doing whatever it is i am doing here.
i have some interviews set up for today, but then just because they are set for today doesn't mean they'll actually take place; a concept i am trying to familarize myself with again. i think i have started to become a bit type-A.
the biggest thing i have noticed about GOma is the massive destruction it has gone through due to the volcano, which three years later is STILL smoking everyday. there is a black dust in the air and everywhere you look is volcanic rock (solidified lava i suppose); the town has a cloud of smoke from the volcano which covers it most hours of the day. so trying to see devastation from anything due to the war is difficult because all you can see the what the volcano has done.
buildings are still standing, but what you notice is that the remainder of a door or a window from the first floor peeks underneath---- but what is ground level now is the second or third floor. it's true... it's nothing like rwanda. rwanda is cultivated, tidy and well kept---- here is just ruins. but then where i am staying is completely posh too. right next to the lake in the house of the director who runs the org i am working with. however, the directors are not here, so it's just me (and the staff) at the house. i know, i know... just ridiculous.
i thought i was about to be overcome by my thoughts yesterday and i can't really keep up with everything on paper at this point. this has been even more overwhelming than i think Togo was, but in a good way. i grabbed "hamlet" off the shelf last night and started reading that. seems to be helping with the overwhelming thoughts running through my head trying to figure everything out here--- and the vocab is extremely difficult for me to read, almost like ANOTHER language at this point, but seems to be a good release. it's no "harry potter" will be alright for now.
anyway... i won't be on here 'til next week at some point again. no worries; everything is fine here.
and i didn't realize 'til just now it was friday the 13th... niccceeee. :-)
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