Here’s the link for people who want to support me on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=6600631

 

 

My friend, David (who I talked with about math and evolution on previous blogs, links are below.) went on a backpacking trip in Africa recently. This is his story of the experience of other cultures.

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/14/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-1/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/25/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-2/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/08/04/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-3/

 

This is the tenth blog in part 2 of this series. Here is the link for the page where the others can be found:

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/category/travel/

 

June 14, Akagera, Day 2:

 

 

The next morning, after an uncomfortable sleeping bag rest, we packed up and travelled along the rest of the route to the north end of the park. It was a long journey through hills and dusty winding roads. We managed to see hippos, giraffes, a crocodile, and lots of zebras. They tend to congregate by the open areas with low grass where they can spot predators. We even managed to have a glimpse of a pride of lions in the distance. We were lucky to see them since Bosco (our tour guide) had told us that there was a 0.5% chance that we’d see them. Fortunately, we had been tipped off by one of the other guides in another vehicle that the lions had been spotted in the area on the previous day. We had also seen a group of hippos who were close to the crocodile, which could have potentially turned deadly.

 

My favourite part of the journey was when we saw a large family of about 20 giraffes, including babies. 10 minutes before we were done the safari, we also got the lucky chance to see elephants in the distance. Keily was happy since that was what she had looked forward to the most on our trip.

 

After the safari, we headed all the way back down to the hostel to spend the rest of the evening there.

 

Here’s the link for people who want to support me on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=6600631

 

 

My friend, David (who I talked with about math and evolution on previous blogs, links are below.) went on a backpacking trip in Africa recently. This is his story of the experience of other cultures.

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/14/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-1/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/25/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-2/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/08/04/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-3/

 

This is the ninth blog in part 2 of this series. Here is the link for the page where the others can be found:

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/category/travel/

 

June 13, Akagera, Day 1:

 

 

We started off the day with a 6-hour-long bus ride to Akagera from the North Province, past Kigali. We only had a few stops for washroom breaks, snacks and lunch.

 

 

When we got there, we headed directly through the gates of Akagera National Park, a 1 112 square kilometre wildlife reserve with all kinds of animals. After just about ten minutes of travelling, we saw a family of baboons cross the road in front of us. After that, I was the first person who spotted a waterbuck that was lurking deep in the bushes. It’s another animal with less shock value, but it was quite interesting to see the frankly, flightless birds that ran around the road. Their long necks and legs made them look like they were constantly about to tip over in an almost comical fashion.

 

 

 

We reached the park’s main office after about half an hour of travel. This was where everyone would be signing in. There were infographics about the park’s history and wildlife, and a room that was full of animal bones that were on display. Our tour guide, Daniel, who we met at the stop, was replaced with another one named Bosco. He would be staying with us for the rest of the time. From his restaurant, we had also picked up Hans, the chef who would be cooking for us at the camp site.

 

 

On our way to the camp site, there was no shortage of breathtaking views, both of the animals and the distant landscapes of wildlife territory. Along the way, we also saw zebras, buffalo, and impala.

 

 

 

Once we arrived at the camp site, we set out our things and dropped off the food and Hans. He would get started on the cooking before heading back for the remainder of the evening to see more animals. Safari vehicles aren’t permitted to travel around the park past 6pm, so we had to make the most of what was left in the daylight.

 

 

Once we were back, the tents were set up and we got the fire started. We hung around while we waited for the food. I was playing my guitar in a corner while everyone else was talking in groups. The view from the enclosed camp site was amazing, especially after the moon came out over the lake at night.

 

 

In the evening, we had dinner while everyone was sitting around the camp fire. We listened to Kyle improvise jingles about the trip and play them on his guitar. Everyone was having fun. The stars came out and the milky way was showing its bands of light across the sky. Some of us laid down to stargaze.

 

 

Meanwhile, I went for a walk around the entire perimeter of the park. I walked by the electric fence that was protecting us from the wild animals. It was pitch black along the edge of the bushes that enclosed us to my left, and the fence on my right side. It was very interesting to think that I was surrounded by large animals that I couldn’t see, who lived in the rugged landscape; the place where humans first evolved millions of years ago. I stayed up half an hour later than everyone else to look at the moon shine past the hills that were above the lake. I felt the light warm breeze flowing by my face as I was warmed by the dying embers of the fire. Alone in the wild African bush, I was very much like the way that our ancient ancestors once were, a long time ago. This was the environment that granted us the ability to have all of the emotions that we experience today. We got them through thousands of generations of trials and errors of life and death of those who preceded us.

 

Here’s the link for people who want to support me on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=6600631

 

 

My friend, David (who I talked with about math and evolution on previous blogs, links are below.) went on a backpacking trip in Africa recently. This is his story of the experience of other cultures.

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/14/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-1/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/25/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-2/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/08/04/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-3/

 

This is the eighth blog in part 2 of this series. Here is the link for the page where the others can be found:

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/category/travel/

 

June 12, Cyuza Island, Day 2:

 

The next morning, I woke up early enough to join the others so we could see the sunrise at the top of the island. We did yoga while we waited. It was Claudia, Stella, Jorde, Brett and me. The view was breathtaking. It looked like a watercolour painting with the layers of overlapping hillsides in their graduating shades of blue.

 

 

I ran up and down the island many times that day, exploring with the others. I also rowed around it again with Lindsey and Kelly, and played with the cows. Later that evening, I went for a swim by the grassy shore with Kyle and Sarusi. It’s a curious thought that the water is known to have parasites, so we had to take anti-parasite pills by the end of the trip.

 

 

After our island adventure, we travelled back to the mainland on a ferry at 4pm. Then we went back to the hostel where we were staying, and got ready for our trip to Akagera that would happen the next morning.

 

Here’s the link for people who want to support me on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=6600631

 

 

My friend, David (who I talked with about math and evolution on previous blogs, links are below.) went on a backpacking trip in Africa recently. This is his story of the experience of other cultures.

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/14/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-1/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/25/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-2/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/08/04/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-3/

 

This is the seventh blog in part 2 of this series. Here is the link for the page where the others can be found:

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/category/travel/

 

June 11, Cyuza Island, Day 1:

 

 

Today was a new day, and we got back to getting things done. We woke up before 6am to get ready to spend two days on Cyuza Island. This is a small agricultural island that is owned by the lady who owns the coffee shop in Musanze. We packed our sleeping bags and bathing suits and hopped onto a bus at the bus stop that would take us to our destination.

 

 

We walked from the bus stop to the edge of the lake. This took about an hour on foot over a rocky, dusty path in the sun around crops and houses. Along the way, we met Sarusi, who was the ward of the island. When we reached the lake, we rested and admired the view while we waited for the ferry. Sophie had been followed by a large group of kids who she started playing with while we waited.

 

 

Once the ferry arrived and we reached the island, we were welcomed by the beautiful sight of the lake. It had the backdrop of a great volcanic mountain in the distance that was surrounded by rolling hills, and we could see it from the balcony where we would be sleeping.

 

 

As we got ourselves settled, some people went sunbathing. Others just relaxed by the balcony. I had decided to go and explore the island while we were waiting for lunch, which was taking a while. While I explored on my own, I saw the ruins of the old colony that used to populate the island. Being by myself in the wilderness of an island was quite unsettling because I didn’t know what to expect. I came across some cows and a man who was tending to them. I recorded the whole exploration on my phone. I travelled from one end of the island to another, coming across a lot of wild birds and old ruins. Some of the ruins were inhabited.

 

 

Later that evening, Maddie, Sydney, and I went kayaking around the island. It took about 15 minutes to circle it. Along the way, we saw cliffs and caves which I would be exploring on my own on the next day.

 

 

After a very satisfying dinner, some card games, and coffee, we watched the stars come out as we lit a campfire. We all laid on mattresses as we counted shooting stars and talked about them by the dying campfire in the late night. The moon had already risen as we watched it above the eastern hills that were across from the lake. It slowly overpowered the light from the Milky Way.

 

 

At midnight, I went for a solo walk while everyone else was asleep. In the least-expected place, I came across one of the local farmers by the boat. We talked for a little bit while he washed lettuce in the lake that was under the moonlight. Two more farmers came by, rowing in the kayak while listening to music on their radio. The moon had completely changed.

 

Here’s the link for people who want to support me on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=6600631

 

 

My friend, David (who I talked with about math and evolution on previous blogs, links are below.) went on a backpacking trip in Africa recently. This is his story of the experience of other cultures.

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/14/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-1/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/25/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-2/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/08/04/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-3/

 

This is the sixth blog in part 2 of this series. Here is the link for the page where the others can be found:

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/category/travel/

 

June 10, An Epic Tale of Laundry and Exploring:

 

 

After a long day of climbing Mount Bisoke, we took the rest of the day off. We stayed at the hostel to rest and regain our energy. The rest of the group used the time to explore the marketplace and resupply. I used the time to wash some long-neglected dirty laundry in the morning. It was a sunny Saturday, perfect for drying clothes in the sun. Unfortunately, I accidentally flushed the bar of soap that I was using down the toilet with the dirty bucket water. So I had to use another one that I found.

 

 

When I was going out to take a walk around town later that afternoon, I ran into Sarah Bell. She was on her way back to the hostel, so we went to explore the back streets of the town. There were a lot of places showing the humble livelihoods of the locals; kids playing in the streets, and young men bathing in the river and washing their clothes. We tried to reach a hill that was in the distance, but we were blocked by the path of the river. But that was okay because we had to make our way back to the hostel before 6pm. We wanted to get dressed up for a fancy dinner that we were going to eat that night anyway.

 

Here’s the link for people who want to support me on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=6600631

 

 

My friend, David (who I talked with about math and evolution on previous blogs, links are below.) went on a backpacking trip in Africa recently. This is his story of the experience of other cultures.

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/14/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-1/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/25/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-2/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/08/04/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-3/

 

This is the fifth blog in part 2 of this series. Here is the link for the page where the others can be found:

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/category/travel/

 

June 9, Bisoke:

 

 

Mount Bisoke is one of the 3 Volcanic mountains in the Volcanoes National Park that borders the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can find wild mountain gorillas. The peak altitude is 3711 metres above sea level, and today, we started to prepare for the hike to the top. We packed light bags, got into the safari vehicles, and made our way to the place where the hike was being organized.

 

 

After a half-hour long bumpy ride, we reached our destination. We were welcomed with the beautiful cultural dancing and tribal drum beating of some African performers. I heard the deep sound of the drums and watched the rhythmic dancing, with the backdrop of the 3 volcanic mountains that faded into the distant sky. It was a powerful experience. That’s when I really got the awareness that I was truly in the heart and soul of Africa; the cradle of humanity.

 

 

After getting debriefed about the climb and meeting our porters, we went on another 20-minute-long ride to the starting point of the hike. Military men would escort us to protect us from dangerous wild animals and Congo militants. The hike through the dense African jungle had a lot of sights and sounds.

 

 

On the way up, our tremendous effort was rewarded at every clearing with the beautiful sight of the Rwandan countryside in the distance. Alongside me were Maddie, Brett, and 2 military men who escorted us. 3 hours and 5 minutes after the starting point, and marching against a gradient, we reached the peak of Mount Bisoke. The view from the top was absolutely breathtaking. The Clouds that had been covering our path rolled around the edge of the rim and swirled into the volcano’s crater. In the bottom of it was a serene, perfectly round lake that was surrounded by wilderness. The sides of the crater were steep cliffs that couldn’t be accessed.

 

 

We took pictures and ate a light meal of hard-boiled eggs and avocado sandwiches while we enjoyed the view. The way back down on the same path was tiring, but not in the same manner as going up was. It was a lot harder on our knees.

 

When we got to the bottom and rode back in the safari vehicle, there was a child with a gorilla picture who was following us. Kyle, Stella, Sarah Bell, Maddie, Sydney, Lindsey and I were having a huge debate about who would buy the picture from the boy. It was like the U. N. security council debating about the effects of poverty in Africa. Stella seemed to be anxious to buy the picture. I was arguing that she should not do so. With arguments going back and forth, and Stella about to lose it because she felt bad for the boy, the bus broke forcefully. We heard a bang. The kid had banged his head on the back of the bus. Everyone burst into laughter and the poor boy retreated to a tree with his face turned away from us. Kyle was hysterical and Stella was pissed off.

 

 

“I don’t understand why that’s funny!” she said.

 

The boy eventually came back for a while longer, but Stella had no money anyway. The events of that bus ride turned into the story that no one let go of for the rest of the trip. It was even the topic of debate in one of the sessions that happened a few days later, which kind of changed my perspective to a degree.

 

Here’s the link for people who want to support me on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=6600631

 

 

My friend, David (who I talked with about math and evolution on previous blogs, links are below.) went on a backpacking trip in Africa recently. This is his story of the experience of other cultures.

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/14/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-1/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/25/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-2/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/08/04/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-3/

 

This is the fourth blog in part 2 of this series. Here is the link for the page where the others can be found:

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/category/travel/

 

June 8, Red Rocks, Musanze:

 

 

We got up early today to head out of Kigali and go to Musanze. It was a four-hour-long bus ride over the hills to the northern province. Once we got there, we went to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International where we had a tour of the building and learned about the mountain gorillas. We were introduced to the work of Dian Fossey and saw the original desk where she worked.

 

 

After that, we dropped by the house where we would be staying so we could leave our stuff there. Then we went out for lunch in a little bakery/restaurant. The small place had the oven just behind the counter, so the front was hot. Half of us sat at an outside table, and the other half of us were inside. The owner of the bakery was also the owner of the island where we would be staying to camp in a few days.

 

 

Later, we went back to the house called Red Rocks where we were staying, and just relaxed. The whole house was just for ourselves. Upon arriving at the house and settling down, I was briefly overcome with a sense of being home as I walked into the living room. I saw Kyle, Sophie and Alessandra just laying around, watching T. V., and enjoying passing the time. It felt like a college dorm room. I was really taking in that moment, knowing that it wouldn’t last forever.

If anyone wants to support me on Patreon, here’s the link:

https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=6600631

 

 

My friend, David (who I talked with about math and evolution on previous blogs, links are below.) went on a backpacking trip in Africa recently. This is his story of the experience of other cultures.

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/14/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-1/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/25/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-2/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/08/04/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-3/

 

This is the third blog in part 2 of this series. Here is the link for the page where the others can be found:

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/category/travel/

 

June 7, The Genocide:

 

 

In 1994, the Rwandan Genocide took place. Millions of people were murdered all across the country, and families were ripped apart. Some families were completely wiped off of the face of the earth, with no one to commemorate their names. They were lost forever to the sands of time. 23 years later, this nation functions like any other, but with the healing scars of the trauma just beneath the surface.

 

 

To someone who is unaware of the changes, they’d be none the wiser. But there is one fascinating thought that I have when I look at the faces of people who are a bit older than me; they lived through hell on Earth in this land, not so long ago. The genocide memorial was definitely one of the most emotionally impactful sites that I visited during this whole trip. Hearing the heartbreaking stories of the people, and about the sheer pointlessness of the events that happened, really got me thinking. What’s this life all about? Why are we here? What’s the end goal of all of this if it’s not just to live and die by the inexorable rules of nature? The experience definitely had an impact on me.

 

 

I walked through the hallways that were lined with historical imagery and documentation of the events. There was a room that was full of the skulls and possessions of the victims, and I walked through the exhibit of the child victims. That’s the part that got to me the most. There were stories of the individual children, who they were, what they liked, and what tragic fate awaited them in their final destination. Some of them were blown away by grenades, and another one was stabbed in the eye and the head. One innocent baby was even hacked to death with a machete while he was in his mother’s arms.

 

 

We had a tough time with trying to come back from the mental state that was caused by the genocide memorial visit. Later that afternoon, we got a gang of boda bodas and made our way to the art gallery. At our destination, we met up with Leah, a former OG (Operation Groundswell, our travel organization, not Original Gangster.) leader who would show us the way. She had a very exuberant personality and was open to talking and engaging with any of us. The art gallery was run by two painters who lived there. It was a small exhibitionist house with modernist paintings on every wall. The yard outside of the building had a lot of sculptures. They included trees that were made of steel and plastic bottles, and old rusty cars that were covered in paint. We took a few minutes to explore, take pictures, and enjoy the scenic views from the balcony and of the art.

 

 

Later, boda bodas took us to the Kigali marketplace. It’s different from the ones in Tanzania. There in Kigali, they seemed to be a lot more organized into aisles. But they were still cramped and populated with lots of people. That’s where I bought my good print shirt and carry-on bag.

 

 

 

If anyone wants to support me on Patreon, here’s the link:

https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=6600631

 

 

My friend, David (who I talked with about math and evolution on previous blogs, links are below.) went on a backpacking trip in Africa recently. This is his story of the experience of other cultures.

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/14/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-1/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/07/25/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-2/

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/2017/08/04/math-evolution-meaning-life-dialogue-part-3/

 

This is the second blog in part 2 of this series. Here is the link for the page where the others can be found:

 

http://mindgasms.theblogpress.com/category/travel/

 

June 6, The Water Tank Village:

 

 

Today, we got up early in the morning to wait for a dalla dalla-style bus to pick us up. Although dalla dallas are only normally a Tanzanian thing, this bus was privately booked for us. It would be picking us up at around 8:00 am to take us on a one hour-long ride. We visited a small village up on the rural hills that was populated by people who are less fortunate than us.

 

 

The guide was explaining to me that the people used to live off the forest land, which has now sadly been wiped away from the area. The dusty, sloped terrain on which the small village sat was covered by nothing but small shrubs and sparse trees. The houses were built by the government for this poor community. They had been poverty-stricken after the loss of the flora and fauna that supported their way of life.

 

 

The only trade that the villagers currently have is pottery, and this has helped create struggles for them since there is little market for it. Each of the 30 or so small houses in the scorching Rwandan sun were homes for struggling families with about 8 people. Most of the inhabitants were children. The 12 mile-long walk to the water well was one issue, among many, that the community was facing.

 

 

Our job was to help with the construction of water tanks for the houses to use to collect rain water. This would spare the people from the 12 mile-long walk to the water well. Some tanks had been built already, and some were just starting to be put together. Their insides were made of a bamboo lace that was covered with a plastered-on cement mixture. We were carrying large stones up a hill for a few hours, and then plastering the sides of the bamboo lace with cement.

 

 

Although we were there for only a few hours, we had the opportunity to see the real-world social effects that deforestation has on the population. It was sad to see countless people in ragged, ripped-up dirty clothing, and children with swollen stomachs, struggling to survive.