Many (Mis)Adventures of (Ah Man Duh) Menke

The exploits of an post grad in world completely unlike her own. Disclaimer: I'm not nearly as serious as I should be, ever, EVER ever. And for that matter, nothing I say can be used for any reason other than this personal publication.

[adamantamanda]

composure.

all the things that were and all the things to be are wrapped together, Intertwined in places they never should have been.

the distance speaks deep cuts chords where truth can finally be seen and all along we sit silent

Statues

of the people we used to be.

[misadventuresofmenke]

From 2014 to 2015.

Following my adventures frolicking through the land of plenty, Amurika, I returned back to Rwanda in time to ring in the New Year with some of my best friends here. After New Years I found myself living at the transit house for volunteers in Kigali. My previous housing situation was less than ideal, and I was left in a large compound, remotely located, with poor lighting, by myself. Peace Corps and I agreed it wasn’t the safest situation and until an alternative solution could be reached, I would be living in Kigali. I spent most of the month of January in this predicament. Luckily during this time my training cohort had our Mid-Service Conference, which was a perfect time to re-group and re-charge with the majority of the people who I had become the closest to while serving in Rwanda. 

(I won our cohort ridiculous challenge award, the Karama Kup! for the second time--- the most out of anyone in our training group! 2013: I ate a whole Pumpkin Pie. 2014: I drank the most coffee (12 cups in 3 hours). LIFE ACCOMPLISHMENTS!!!)

At the end of January I was able to move back to my site, and my previous housing, because (insert triumphant horns blasting and lights shining down from above) my wonderful, lovely, glorious, always keeping me grounded best friend & site mate Laura, moved into my compound!!!!! 

(My boyfriend and best friend Junior, also clearly my Valentine this past year)

For the past month of February, school started back up so I’ve been teaching solely my students for now. It’s a slight adjustment because I’m teaching Senior 2 English (about 8th graders in the States) where last year I taught Senior 4, 5 & 6 English Language Communication Skills (10th, 11th & 12th grade). These students seem to have a pretty decent grasp of the English language and are eager to learn. After breaking them into my routine and teaching style (ain’t no students messing with me, let me tell you…) we seem to be seeing eye to eye and making progress. I have an entire scheme of work for the term, which will end in April, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish in this time. In my spare time I’ve been hanging out with Laura, pretty much all day, every day. We cook together, eat together, watch TV shows & movies together, exercise together, and just so happen to end up traveling together often. Currently we’re the only ones who live in our compound, which is a drastic change from last year when it was 14 other people and myself all living together in the shared space. But to be honest, it’s amazing to have all that space to ourselves and to really make it feel like home. 

(Some Afternoon Adventures that Laura and I went on, discovering local schools and places) 

I’ve really been valuing my time at site, re-committing myself to my service with the short amount of time I have left. I’ve been trying to be more active at my school. I’m in the process of completing a grant for a library/resource center at my school. I’m trying to schedule more teachers training. I’ve been traveling a decent amount for my committees that I serve on for Peace Corps, in and out of Kigali and some other regional towns in the East. I’ve been eating really healthy, fasting a few days a week, and working out daily. 

And thennnn of course things can’t be that good for that long. I’ve been stuck at the transit house, AGAIN, but this time for medical concerns. I’ve been having gastrointestinal issues for about a week and a half. It started out as cramping and dull pain in my stomach area and progressed to constant cramping, nausea, intermittent pain and headaches, and general dizziness and lightheadedness while standing or moving. Eventually it got bad enough that my favorite Doctor in the world had me come into Kigali to get treated (actually he lovingly sent a Peace Corps car to my house to rescue me and bring me here). I’ve been on some medicines for a potential stomach ulcer/gastritis but unfortunately the medicine hasn’t made me feel constantly better on a daily basis. I got here this past Thursday at a 9 on a pain scale, felt better on Friday at about a 4, felt much worse on Saturday closer to 6, and now on Sunday I’m hovering on 5. Pain comes and goes, and I keep holding out that the next day will have me feeling better than the previous. I’m not certain what’s happening, and I know some options have been thrown around in terms of my treatment. (I’ll be able to update you more in a few days…) Regardless I have faith that I’ll feel fine soon enough and it will resolve itself so that I can carry on the work I have to do and finish out my service strong.

**Update. I’ve been on some pretty heavy medicine to help the lining of my stomach. It’s been getting much better, SLOWLY. I had to do a barrage of tests here and even got to visit the hospital in Kigali! Next Wednesday I’m headed off to South Africa to get an endoscopy to double-check my diagnosis of (more than acute, less than severe) gastritis and to look for the presence of h.pyloli bacteria. Basically my Doctor here described what I had an the entire lining of my stomach was an open sore, to the point that it had started bleeding… woof. But on the positive, I am SO MUCH BETTER than I was last week.

(Some of my best friends at site, the kids who live near me, right before I got sick and had to come to Kigali.)

ALSO!!! I'm raising money for my school in order to help my AMAZING students be able to play sports on REAL courts with REAL equipment. 

Please consider donating, ANYTHING, to make a difference!!

www.crowdrise.com/kidsjustwannahavefun

[misadventuresofmenke]

When nobody else celebrates you, learn to celebrate yourself. When nobody else compliments you, then compliment yourself. It’s not up to other people to keep you encouraged. It’s up to you. Encouragement should come from the inside.

Joel Osteen 

[misadventuresofmenke]

Zanzibar. 

My personal photoset (finally)

LOVE LOVE L O V E ZANZIBAR!

[misadventuresofmenke]

Zanzibarrrrr.

I got to go on a glorious vacation for ten days during the month of November. November was already slight hectic. The school year came to a close (finally). I served as a volunteer trainer for the new education training group that came into country for two separate weeks. I was a co-Director for a 100+ person Boys Excelling leadership camp in the Eastern region of the country. Anddddd, I got to vacation to one of the most beautiful places on the entire earth.

The journey to Zanzibar begins in the capital of Rwanda, Kigali. I took a 4am bus along with three of my friends, fellow cohort members, and Peace Corps volunteers, Caitlin, Aaron & Steph. After roughly five hours, we reached the border between Tanzania and Rwanda, Rusomo Falls. We quickly exchanged money, got our exit stamps, and walked the two mile UPHILL trek to MORDOR. No really, it’s intense and NO ONE told us that part of the overland trip even existed. Finally reaching the border we paid our $100 American cash currency (new bills, clean, crisp, ONLY accepted) and jumped onto another small bus to take us to our next stop. We then spent the next five hours traveling through landscape, which closely resembled what we were used to in Rwanda. We reached Kahama in the late afternoon and took ANOTHER bus, our last thank goodness, for another six hours or so to Mwanza. From Mwanza we were taking a cheap bravojet flight the next morning to one of the major capitals of the country, Dar es Saalam, which would be roughly a 45-minute flight. (which we may or may not have almost missed come the next morning due to a neglect to set our watches the hour ahead that Tanzania is in comparison to Rwanda…. close call there.) Arriving in Dar es Saalam the next morning we debated between taking the ferry to the island of Zanzibar or a small puddle-jumper like plane. The plane option was quicker, and the same price so naturally that’s the option we chose.

FINALLY, two days, 18 bus hours, two flights, and seven legs of the journey later, we were actually IN Zanzibar!! (Let’s not think about the fact that this entire adventure had to be repeated on the way back, just yet….)

We were set to spend our first three nights, and our last night on the island, on the main part of Zanzibar, which is the city of Stonetown. (Also home to Freddie Mercury) Stonetown is an absolutely breathtaking city filled with lots of culture and history. It is partially contained in a medina style (reminiscent of my Morocco days which especially grew my attachment to it) and has a large Arabic influence. We stayed at a wonderful hotel right in the center of town, Zenji Hotel, which I fully recommend to any and everyone looking to experience all the best of Zanzibar. The complementary breakfast was killer with a rooftop view, and all of the fresh jam and espresso you could order!

Highlights of our time in Stonetown included: 1. STREET FOOD- (it’s highly taboo to eat and/or drink anything on the street in Rwanda) We got more than our fill of fresh bread, fruit, COFFEE (and for like ten cents a cup) and the phenomenal night market. Each night in the garden square they have a market filled with tons of fresh seafood, amazing fresh sugarcane juice, and Zanzibar style pizza (among tons of other food, but you can clearly see where my personal bias lies). 2. Random Interactions with Zanzibar Folk: People were incredibly welcoming and loved to sit and chat. We met tons of people in our time in Stonetown and fully came to appreciate their sense of humor. (‘Where are we right now?’—a friend stated to the group while wandering around aimlessly in the medina ‘You’re in the middle of Stonetown!’ --- random man yells while riding by on a bicycle) 3. Amazing Food, In General: We got to eat pilaf for super cheap at the restaurant down the street. We found a fresh GELATO shop. We ate some amazing tapas at a Spanish restaurant. And don’t forget the breakfast at our hotel. 4. SNORKELING!: We took a day excursion while in Stonetown to visit Prison Island, home to a large quantity of very old, and VERY large giant tortoises. After meandering around the island for an hour or so, we got to jump off the side of the boat that took us there and SNORKEL! We spent the next two hours snorkeling off the coast of Prison Island and got to see some pretty cool sea life down under. (I had never been snorkeling before and I LOVED it, plus I learned how to blow the air out of my snorkel so that I could go all the way down and touch the ocean floor, SUPER cool.)

The last portion of our incredibly vacation was to visit the eastern side of the island, and go to the town of Paje. We spent four nights at a hostel located on the beach. We met an incredibly friend, who is also a member of the Maasai tribe, Christofer. The sand was brilliantly white and the water was brilliantly blue. All four days were spent soaking up sun and splashing around in the water. We explored the town with our friend Christofer and found a restaurant for lunch much closer to the restaurants we were used to back in Rwanda. (Amazing pilaf rice by the way) We ventured in and out of all the cool attractions and hotels (like Paje by Night, super cool decorating). And of course we ate the BEST fresh and incredibly cheap seafood, each night. It was almost like paradise, and I think it could easily be said we were all incredibly depressed to have to go back to our reality.

Oh and the last highlight of our time not only in Stonetown, but in Zanizbar in general: 5. Beautiful Views, Beautiful People, Beautiful Company: We got to watch the sunset on rooftops. We wandered around aimlessly down side streets of the Medina. We walked along the beach and searched for shells. We swam in crystal blue waters from sunrise to sunset. We ran early in the morning through deserted streets. We ate the freshest food. We danced traditional Masaai style dancing on the beach. We laughed so hard it hurt. We made memories to last forever.

[misadventuresofmenke]

ZANZIBAR. 

My Personal Photoset (Part Deux)

Prison Island, Giant Tortoises, Rooftop Views of Stonetown. 

November 2014.  

[misadventuresofmenke]

ZANZIBAR. 

My Personal Photoset (better late than never....)

Beautiful places, Beautiful people, Beautiful Memories.

November, 2014. 

[misadventuresofmenke]

Amurica.

Six months ago America was my ideal escape. I counted down the months and the days until I’d be able to leave Rwanda to vacation at home. I thought that going home would be rejuvenating, a mental health holiday. It had been an incredibly rough year in Rwanda. I had to deal with some of the hardest things I’ve ever encountered. I had to work through issues I had been ignoring and repressing for the majority of my life. At some points it seemed impossible that I could stay in Rwanda to fully complete my service. At the end of November I began my vacation leave, for almost a full month, to America, grateful to my parents for the opportunity to go home. I’ve experienced culture shock before, I had lived abroad for six months in Morocco while studying and my arrival to the States following was more intense than I could have anticipated. This time however I thought I knew what to expect, I was vaguely aware that America is a sensory overload. More lights than I see in a month decorate my suburban home. More items than I could find in a combined thirty shops all exist in one store. In those instances I was fully prepared, yet to be honest still a bit taken aback. What I didn’t prepare for was what affected me the most. I had forgotten the independence I exhibited in America, and my inability to return to those days of ease. I was residing at my parent’s home, with no car, no insurance, no working cell phone, and no disposable income. I was subject to the whim of my friends and family. I am however grateful that I have such a large support system to enable my travel and necessities while home. I recollect being told prior to my leaving for the Peace Corps that I would come home changed, different, whether or not I was able to fully see what changes had occurred. 15 months later, I still can’t see those changes. But I’m certain I’m changed. The irony is that placed back in the same situation, back to my family home, back to my same social settings, I fell back into a role I had occupied for my previous 23 years. I found myself frustrated and disillusioned at the person I had thought I had become while residing in Rwanda, and serving as a Peace Corps volunteer. Despite that, I realized that I did need the month at home, to re-examine the life I had led before Peace Corps, and the life I currently live now, back in Rwanda. I had changed, regardless of whether or not that was evident to myself, to those I surrounded myself with, to anyone really. I am happy with the person I am now. I am impressed by how much I’ve overcome in 24 years. I’m grateful for each day, and each opportunity. I’m thankful for a loving family and friends, whether at home or abroad. And I’m going to continue to press forward, to move past, to strive to find me, to be at peace. I am going to finish my service strong, despite all the obstacles, reasons to have me leave, things that I can’t control. I’m inching closer to the finish line, and it’s in sight.

[misadventuresofmenke]

Backkkk to Rwanda just in time for New Years Eve 2015.

All of the sparkles and Rwandan sun. 

The last photo is of my PHENOMENAL sitemate & one of my best friends, Laura. She makes my service more than just bearable, but enjoyable and always has my back. 

[mhconsumer-blog]

Be proud of yourself for how hard you’re trying.

mhconsumer (via senyahearts)

[el-tilichero]

For what it’s worth: it’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.

F. Scott Fitzgerald (via psych-facts)

[misadventuresofmenke]

Back Homeeee in AMERICA. 

For the month of December, I went back home to B4lt1m0re to visit my favorite people in the world. 

A month of friends, family, and amazing food. 

It was refreshing to be able to be home for the holidays. 

[misadventuresofmenke]

Thanksgiving 2014. 

Give THANKS for Amazing Friends, who become Family. 

<3 Peace Corps Rwanda

[misadventuresofmenke]

ZANZIBARRRRRR. (part two of many.)

All of the street coffee, water frisbee, fresh seafood, and random walks you could imagine. 

Vacation's all I ever wantedddddd. 

[misadventuresofmenke]

ZANZIBARRRRRRR. 

First trip out of the country, to the beautiful island of Zanizabar, off the coast of Tanzania (and also home to Freddie Mercury.)

I got to experience a 18 hour bus ride, two short plane rides, and ten days of never-ending beauty and adventures with three of the best people I know and fellow volunteers. 

Sun, Sand, Snorkeling, and Shenanigans. 

[misadventuresofmenke]

BE Camp, November 2014.

Eastern Region Boys Excelling Camp. 

'The Best BE Camp EVER'--- Amanda Menke, (me), Camp Co-Director for 2014.

The Eastern Region brought 70+ students from all over the Eastern Province of Rwanda to learn leadership skills, life skills, malaria prevention, gender equality, and to empower young men. 

These camps "create a safe and supportive environment for learning, cultural exchange, individuality, creativity, leadership development, and fun." (Peace Corps Website) 

I brought FIVE of my own students from Senior 4 & 5 at the secondary school where I teach. I also served as Co-Director for the week alongside one of my best friends, Austen, which was an EXHAUSTING but incredibly WORTHWHILE experience. 

[misadventuresofmenke]

THESE are my people. 

The reason I made it through my first year and a half of service in Rwanda.

Winnie & Junior, photo shoot part deux, AND

my lost boyz; Junior, Arisa, Mahoro, Winnie (and not pictured: Bonase).