small world, busy weekend

again, i have no idea where to start. first and foremost, i should thank my friends and family because your emails from this weekend truly put a smile on my face this morning. not that i NEEDED a smile, but it's always nice to read what everyone is up to.

and i am SUPER PROUD of my nephew for eating his entire birthday cake all by himself!!! (to the certain woman who reported that to me--- i know it was hard, but am glad you were able to let aidan have his first bday cake to himself. he doesn't understand how you are about cake--- maybe he can share next year? :-)

ok, ok, ok, ok... so things here are good. not that anything has really changed over the weekend, except maybe my attitude, but life in Goma continues to go on like it does every day here. the poor congolese who are unfortunate enough to come in contact with me on a daily basis continue to be utterly patient with my horrid french and even worse, my attempts at swahili. (liz, we are SOOO speaking swahili when i get back!!)

i showed up at DOCS on saturday morning, not really sure what the day's events would hold, but needless to say it was a full day from the moment i arrived to the moment i fell into bed that night. there was a wedding (which i had forgotten about) on saturday that Virgine and i had to attend as "reps" for DOCS. and what a wedding it was; my first african wedding! (no one is ever allowed to slam catholics for long wedding services again though--- this african wedding made catholic weddings look like a flash in the dark!!)

i have been pretty timid about whipping the camera out just anywhere, so i asked virgine if it would be alright to take some pictures and she gave me the go ahead. as SOON as i had the camera out a woman from the crowd grabbed me and pulled me up next to the family of the groom, so i could have access to take pics of anything i wanted... as long as i took a picture of her as well and promised to send it back. i nodded and promised and will hold to it.

after the ceremony when pics of the bride and groom were being taken, the father of the groom (Pasteur Gilbert-- the man who invited me) grabbed Virgine and i and pulled us into the picture. however, they put me right next to the bride--- the poor girl; like she really wanted to stand next to this complete stranger at her own wedding!! being from DOCS (which is HIGHLY respected here) Virgine gets a great deal of respect, but i think the fact that i was the only mzungu in the crowd only added to that attention.

after the wedding, i visited Virgine's house and met her family. a lively bunch who seem fun to be around. by the time i arrived home, i was full of stories and stayed up and visited with "mama" and gave a rundown of the days events. "mama" happens to be the woman who is taking care of me at the Lusi's house (the directors of DOCS) while they are away. yes, they put me up in their house--- the complete stranger that i am and have people looking out for me--- talk about hospitality. "mama" and i ended up dancing to some congolese music before calling it a night. (aims, i tried to show her what the "ewe" dance looked like. while i was a poor representative, i DID attempt!!!)

sunday was another full day of a 2 1/2 hr church service, running into some guy who flies for the UN who is FROM FAYETTEVILLE, AR (go hogs!) and we discussed fayetteville for a bit and some of the similar people we know there (small world), going for a quick swim in lake kivu, teaching an english class that afternoon while flashing pictures of the fam and aidan (dad, they said you look very young to have such a large family), getting a few pictures of town, one of the volcano smoking (as it does everyday), before returning home for the evening and getting some things done there as well (clothes needed washing again).

side note: m&d, sorry about the phone thing AGAIN... i guess we can just wait 'til i get to kigali which should be next monday evening (tentatively). my first flight to catch on a long trip back takes off next thursday morning (the 26th)from kigali to nairobi, but i'll stay the night in nairobi (with my friend steve, i think) and will then travel all day on friday. i am staying with the keegan's over the weekend and will return to edinburgh two weeks from today (i think that's the 30th--- how's that, jean?).

not sure i am ready to head back at this point, as it seems i only just arrived here and just started getting used to things again. it's easier to slide into the groove of things here than it is to return to what i know as "comfortable", but i am excited to see friends and family again. i have greatly missed my flatmates and would love to get on the phone with the my bros/sis's/parents/nephew and fam again. glad i get the weekend with the keegans. m&d, if i don't talk to you before then, you can always get me there. more soon....