I remember on the way to Africa being amazed with the speed of my travels. Amazed that in a day and a half, I could reach the other side of the globe. Africa seemed so...attainable. But now my flights seem to drag on. It feels like I've been traveling forever. It strikes me, on this return flight, how far apart these worlds really are.

The more The West ignores, manipulates and isolates the developing world, the father away we push them from ourselves. The less we understand them, the more they misunderstand us. One of my African frieds commented on an American delegates dirty jeans the other day. He has only washed them twice the whole trip, but wears them every day. "Maybe this way little kids won't think I'm rich," Ryan explained.
"No," said Amina. "They think all Americans are rich. So they just think you are rich- and dirty." Ha! Yes, we don't understand them, and they misunderstand us.

Getting to and from Africa is so simple today compared to what it once was. As the world shrinks, America pop-culture pervades every knook and cranny. American imperialism is strong as ever. African children know the lyrics to America's gangster rap better than I do. They use our curse words, they watcho ur disgusting and pathetic music videos. Walking down the street I overheard a young man rapping a 50 cent song to himself reciting the n-word along with all of the other english he doesn't understand. What have we given them? Dumped on them? But also, wy have they embraced it?

In addition to music, we've glady gifted our pollution. What should be our droughts, acid rain, a lack of energy. Then, when they try to develop, we say they can't because what they're doing is bad for the environment. There's o nly room for so many polluters in this world. As well as money makers. We need the bottom rungs of the ladder to get to the top. You need to step on someone to be successful.

You'd think that with increased access would ocme greater appreciation and respect for different lifestyles. But we are a stubborn people. The world is shrinking, but our minds refuse to expand.

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I've been home from Rwanda for three days now. It's difficult readjusting. I find myself back in Africa during dinner, while the converstaion continues on around me. I wasn't gone long, so the culture shock upon my return has been mild, but still it's hard being home. I don't think anyone wants to hear about my experiences as much as I'm dying to talk to about them. My parents are extremely supportive and understanding (much due to their own time abroad I suspect). I'm grateful that although our experiences differed, that even thoughI was gone for less time than they were, that they don't belittle my time away from home. They know how much I have grown.

I don't know all of the ways that this trip changed me, but I am aware I've returned home a different person than when I left. I'm proud to say that I reacted to situations the way I hoped I would, and stayed true to who I am. I've learned to take myself a lot less seriously, which I think is inevitable when you're being laughed at every 5 seconds each day. We were laughed at in joy, in suspiscion, and in lightheartedness. Soon you realize that it's easier to just laugh along with them.

I've been accused by my family as being serious -- too serious. I learned in Rwanda, though, the importance of letting my hair down once in a while. Late in the trip, the whole group went to a dance club. One girl complained about the cover charge, "I don't know why I'm going to pay that much. I'm only going to be here for 10 minutes. I don't even want to be doing this in Rwanda." She didn't want to party in Rwanda because of the painful history. But dancing is even more beautiful in Rwanda because of the genocide. Despite the country's darkness, life goes on, people continue to celebrate. They cannot constantly mourn, just as I cannot be constantly serious. Taking joy and pleasure in life is the gift of being human.

So, I'm back safe and sound. Thanks to everyone for your support and concern throughout my journey. If you're interested in hearing more about my trip and you're in the area, I'll be speaking at Temple Beth Shalom August 13th at 7:00pm. Also, please feel free to email me any questions or comments. For the last time (for now), Mara muche and amahoro.