Safe in the Congo...talk about oxymoron!

I just realized that I titled my first email update "Safe in the Congo" which in and of itself is a ridiculous oxymoron. While I do feel very safe here in Bukavu, this country finds itself plagued by war since the end of Mobutu's rule in 1997 (a brutal dictator in office from 65-97). Not to mention that Bukavu, the city I live in, has been captured twice by rebel groups since that time. But let's get real: I live behind barbed wire and the house I live at has two guards at all times. Any country will have its problems; even my own has its horrific ghosts. It's the beautiful Congolese people who I am yearning to serve and learn how to love.

So, when I arrived in Rwanda on Thursday night, I took a deep breath in and two things came to mind: Guatemala and marijuana. If you've ever been to a developing country, you will find burning trash (commonly found in Guatemala) smells like marijuana, but with a twist.

After some much needed sleep, I had the opportunity to see the Food for the Hungry office in Rwanda, the arts and crafts shops, and all the important parts of downtown Kigali, like the expensive Starbucks-wannabe coffee shop. I cannot tell a lie -- I reallllly wanted some. But I had no money and kept walking. The full day led to a full evening. I was forewarned that dinner takes three hours; however, I was not informed that a group of really fun young Rwandan men would come to join our group of four American girls. It was actually a good night, despite being a little tired; up until the part that I was teased for not being legal in Rwanda. You have to be 21 to get married.

Taking the tiny plane to the Congo the next day and flying over thousands of hills and villages was an experience that I will not forget. Being in the Congo for two days does not merit too much blog space. But I do have one story.

Probably the funniest experience thus far was at the local hotel restaurant (where all the expatriates, NGO workers, UN personnel go to dine). My housemate, Lindsay, and I were enjoying coffee in front of the amazing view of Lake Kivu and we decided to take a picture in front of the lake. Out of nowhere this crazy UN guy, who had an incredible accent and was clearly foreign, came over to us with his camera and insisted that he would take a picture of us. And then he asked me to take a picture of him with Lindsay, and he proclaimed, "I will never forget you both, and this time we spent together." Let's just say, I'm avoiding creepy UN people. But I wish we would have taken up his offer -- he could have paid for my five dollar chocolate ice cream.