14 Months, 5 African Countries, Countless Memories

It doesn't seem real somehow. It feels like just yesterday, I was sitting at the bar at SFO questioning my sanity, excited and nervous for what was to come. Now, nearly 14 months later, I am staring at my room in a state of 'organised chaos' trying to pack everything for my move back to the States. I've done this before, moving is nothing new to me, yet somehow packing my life into boxes feels strange. Moving back from Africa has a sense of permanence. Let's be honest I am very ready to settle down somewhere longer term, but that in itself is a strange concept to me. Viewing things in 1 year increments, making friends and saying goodbye just as quickly, trading establishment for the unknown - these have all become routine. So while I feel ready to move on, it's all a bit confusing.

Anyway, while I regain my sanity, I'd like to reflect upon what an incredible year this has been, sharing with you a few highlights from it all.

I just recently travelled with 2 friends to Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda, abut a 3 hours drive from Kigali. Most of the drive was fairly straightforward and scenic. However, as we were approaching our lodge by the lake, we ended up getting stuck in the mud in what we determined to be an impassable dirt road. Next thing we know about 5 locals are coming around to help push the car out of the thick mud. In what could have been stressful, turned out to be quite fun as we ventured out of several mud tracts, back along the road. While we finally got the car to safety, we ended up reaching our lodge by canoe! Despite the adventure getting there, the weekend was beautiful, relaxing and a great last hurrah. We even saw zebra...on an island...in a lake!
This trip included, I have been able to see a fair amount over the past year. From trekking with gorillas in the DRC to hanging out with penguins on a beach in Cape Town -- I have knocked off some serious bucket list items. Between weekend ventures, work trips, luxury safaris, and an extended holiday in South Africa - I have managed to visit 5 African countries...and a list of more I want to see.
While the social scene here has been quite transient, I have had the chance to meet some really cool people. Rwandan weddings, nights out, trekking through volcanoes, getting lost on rural dirt roads, or even just grabbing some beers and brochettes - provided for great ways to get to know a wide array of people. While obviously not all connections grew into friendships, it has been great meeting new people and learning about their incredibly diverse backgrounds leading them to Rwanda. I am particularly fortunate for the Rwandan friends I have made, who have not only been great fun and company, but have helped better my understanding of local culture and context.
Daily errands have taken on new meaning here, as they are not nearly as straightforward as back home. While it can be frustrating spending half a day trying to pay rent, or shopping at 4 different stores for 1 meal, I have learned to accept and even embrace these 'challenges' to an extent. Perhaps most memorable, was attempting to get my scooter fixed at a garage across town. After a long day dealing with the mechanic, it broke down yet again on a big hill on the way back to my house. Sure enough, within about 10 seconds about 10 people are huddled around my bike trying to power it enough for the 1 minute ride back to my house. While irritating at the time, these everyday errands provided for some excitement and a small sense of accomplishment whenever the task was completed. Additionally, overtime I've built up a series of connections for everyday things - my barber, my taxi guy, my guy at the market, or even the vegetable lady - ensuring the routine 'chores' took on a much more personalised approach. Fast forward a week when I'm buying things online and shopping at fully stocked supermarkets - it will all seem a bit boring!
Work has been very rewarding as well. While, obviously the impetus behind my move out here, it's sometimes easy for that fact to get lost behind everyday stresses. Looking back though, I feel as if I have grown more professionally in the past year than I have at any other point in my career. Learning to be adaptable, and problem solving seemingly impossible tasks, are skills that have been developed exponentially from working in this environment. A particular highlight was travelling to Kampala to conduct research for a logistics company. From interviewing a trucker in the back of my car in a dusty market outpost, to sitting in the Ugandan Revenue Authority's office for 2 hours requesting a set of data, I managed to hold about twenty plus meetings that trip. Whipping through the chaotic roads on a boda-boda (moto taxi) with no helmet, I quickly learned the meaning of hustling - all in the mission of getting good data. A colleague recently commented that one of the biggest tools a consultant can have is the ability to not be easily intimidated. Whether it's that, or simply losing any conception of the term 'awkward', I can say I accomplished a fair bit.
I have also had the opportunity to work in depth with the Rwandan Development Board on the roll-out of a tourism licensing initiative. While difficult at times, and part of a very long process, helping to advise on both policy and operational procedures, has been a very interesting experience. Working on a team which is playing a formative role in formalising the country's most important industry, is something I won't soon forget.
Finally, throughout all this I have come to appreciate how incredible Rwanda really is. Sure, I've complained plenty about small annoyances, but this is nothing compared to the sense of optimism I have about this beautiful country. A fast growing economy, forward thinking ideals, and just an incredible sense of development (in every way), have provided for a rewarding and comfortable place to live and work.

I can look back at this year proud of what I accomplished. While these highlights certainly do not paint a complete picture, they speak to the awesome adventure that these past 14 months provided. Do I have some regrets about certain things? Sure. Were there plenty of frustrations, challenges, and even stretches of boredom? Absolutely. That's life. From crazy adventures to everything in between, I was able to make a life for myself here. So while I leave here with a million different thoughts, mostly I just feel satisfied.