Kwita Izina

This weekend was the Kwita Izina Ceremony in Musanze (well, actually Kinigi but they’re close) at Gorilla Nat’l Park.  Kwita Izina is the baby gorilla naming ceremony that they have every year to celebrate the births of all the new baby gorillas.  So, a bunch of us PCVs ventured out of our sites and headed up to stay with our fellow PCV Steph at her house in Musanze so that we could check out the spectacle that was giving names to baby gorillas.  It’s kind of hard to explain the whole ceremony, so I’m going to post pictures. But basically, there was a lot of traditional Rwandan dancing, lots of speeches, Kagame did not show up (or Jack Hanna) but we did get the Rwandan Prime Minister…and then they named the baby gorillas of course.  After was a reception with free food and beverages, naturally we mooched as much as possible.  And, like every successful PCV, some of us came out with free stuff (I got myself a nice “Kwita Izina” jacket, win!).  So, here are some pictures to explain the shenanigans:

Musanze…that’s a Volcano

Traditional Dancing 1

Traditional Dancing 2

Traditional Dancing 3

Traditional Dancing 4

Traditional Dancing 5

The Baby Gorillas…or small children in gorilla suits

 
Baby Gorillas hanging out on stage

And to be honest, site has been having a lot of ups and downs lately.  Since it’s been almost 8 months since I came to Rwanda, I’m starting to get restless, a little bored and frustrated more often.  I’m hoping that this this weekend and the 4th of July weekend will provide some nice relax and recuperation.  Since it’s been a little rough, I’m not going to talk about how site’s been, but I am still enjoying this experience, so no worries.

King of the Umudugudu

For those of you wondering, umudugudu means village.  And this short post is dedicated to Muremera’s newsest resident, Milo the hyperactive kitten!  So this weekend I was in Kigali to have more jiggers removed (gross, I know but we think they’re all gone now) I swear, I’m a clean person, this was just a case of bad luck to get 2 more.  I think they were building a duplex in my toe.  Anyways, while I was in the city I was able to pick up my kitten! (courtesy of another PCV who’s cat had kittens).  His name is Milo, don’t ask my why that’s just the name that came out when I was trying to find him hiding in the bedroom.  Right now he is about 8 weeks old and in the stage of life where it is playtime. Always. Every day. Even when I want to sleep.  So, today (Sunday) we have spent the day playing, eating, playing, sleeping, playing, eating, etc.  He has quite the tough life.  I can already tell he’s going to be a little Dennis the Menace because he climbs everything. Even things you can’t climb…like the brick wall in my kitchen/storage room.  Luckily, he can’t figure out how to get up to the windows yet so those can stay open.

Here’s some pictures of the little guy who I’m sure is going to be growing like a weed over the next few weeks:

 
So tiny he fits in my shoe!

Climbing all over things

finally calmed down, lying in the sun. (this is not my house by the way!)

Enjoy, don’t have many other exciting things to really talk about.  Schools is in week 7 of the 2nd trimester.  We’re moving slow, but I’m more concerned about them understanding rather than speeding through tons of material.  It’s now the dry season, so rain has stopped…I guess we’ll see what that does to the water supply huh?  Hopefully we don’t run out…Apparently rainy season starts up again in September.  Here’s to some dry days!