The Road to Kisoro

 We knew that when we would head into Uganda, we would go overland and cross the border in the western part of the country. 17 years ago Don & I went flew into Kampala from safari and immediately began a ten hour car ride to Kisoro. The roads were paved and so the scenery stuff of movies. It was easy to sit for hours and look out at the emerald green landscapes, terraced farms and all the people, working so hard but in colors that were bright and festive.  

So when we knew we had a 3 hour drive to the Uganda border, I was excited to see the landscape, and how people lived in Rwanda.  It was very interesting, the similarities, reminding me that borders and politics really are meaningless. People are people and culture is more influential. Still, it was interesting to see how very few cars were on how many people walking riding bicycles. There were so many people who were carrying produce and products to and from markets, heavy loads on their heads or other bicycles sometimes needing two or three young men to push the bicycle up the endless hills. 

Like its neighbor, Rwanda is a deep emerald green, and has read earth and terraced farms that produce corn as far as the eye can see. There was also cabbage and other vegetables along with some livestock, but the thing that stood out was the people just walking up and down the roads, young and all the like coming and going knowing that they have been doing this for their whole life.  People spend most of their life  on small farms and in small village, the weekly trip to the market their main outlet into the world. 

It was such a stark difference from own life and it forced me to look at my own life experience, and how my own privilege has allowed me to see the world in a different way. For me, personally, being abandoned at birth, and then raising a family, not in my own biological origination has allowed for me to have a very privileged and blessed life. Although I use the word, blessed lightly because everybody’s blessed even if they don’t have the privilege that I have. But as I saw along the long road to the border, the reality of my everyday existence and those around me; it felt imbalanced. I had more in terms of things like money or conditions (indoor plumbing, running, drinkable water, electricity) and  yet, in the 'first world' nations, we are so disconnected from the earth, our families, our neighbors and ourselves. Having so little distractions (like wifi, a car to take you to and from work, school, social activities), even for short time I am here, I find it easier to listen within, to make a point to connect with others, to be in the present more. I don't think either is better (well some aspects are more balanced for sure) but perhaps there is a middle ground where more of us meet in the middle. Where we all have the access we need to thrive not just survive and laugh but also remain connected to the earth and each other. I don't know for sure. It is far too complex to even comprehend let alone to put into words in one small blogpost. But as I drove along that long road, I realized that this planet is large and there are many, many different ways of living and that we all deserve dignity, opportunity