The other day i read an article in the Ottawa Citizen about a Rwandan genocide survivor. The other week, a little birdie told me that PhotoSensitive was talking about a project this summer in Rwanda. Finally, today i plan on finishing an article in The Walrus about a pianist from British Columbia who teaches classical music in Kigali.
Maybe it has been this way for a long time. Maybe it hasn't. Regardless, Rwanda seems to be getting much of the good attention it deserves after such tragic events in its past. I'm proud to be part of this welcomed wave of outside journalists.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Insurance woes
This trip to Rwanda will be my first true photography assignment abroad. Therefore, i will need to bring enough gear to work effectively. It's pretty much a given that i'm getting insurance for my gear - all of which costs about the price of a base Volkswagon City Golf.
Here is my setup. Ideally, i would have wanted to bring just the two lenses to the right, with the camera body and strobe on the right, along with a second camera body; however, all i have right now is that Nikon, which isn't Canon lens or strobe compatible. Long story short, this is my gear for three months. I will also be bringing my laptop to store, edit and burn CDs of my photos.
Oh, i almost forgot to mention one thing: all my gear will be carry-on. Sometimes, it's the only way to ensure safe transportation.
Here is my setup. Ideally, i would have wanted to bring just the two lenses to the right, with the camera body and strobe on the right, along with a second camera body; however, all i have right now is that Nikon, which isn't Canon lens or strobe compatible. Long story short, this is my gear for three months. I will also be bringing my laptop to store, edit and burn CDs of my photos.
Oh, i almost forgot to mention one thing: all my gear will be carry-on. Sometimes, it's the only way to ensure safe transportation.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Day Two, Orientation Session
As promised, we learned the basics about Rwanda and how to get there in one piece. We still don't know that much about what exactly we will be doing in our placements, but we are told to "feel it out" and "go with the flow". That's what i'm good at.
No photos yet, but here's a link to the Rwanda Initiative website.
We also learned the following in Kinyarwanda:
New Greeting Hello = Muraho?
Yes = Yego
Good Morning = Mwaramutse?
How's your day? = Mwiriwe?
Have a good day = Mwirirwe
Have a good night = Muramuke
Goodbye (long time) = Murabeho
Initially, i think i might focus on the phrase: Sinzi Ikinyarwanda. It means i don't speak the language. I might catch on after a few months though. Who knows.
Another exciting detail is the less heavily advertised fact that we stop over for a day in London, England (most likely). It's not exactly the most important detail regarding the Rwanda Initiative. Nonetheless, it's all part of the adventure.
Tomorrow i will be getting my Yellow Fever vaccine. Other than that, i think i'm up to date on my shots. There's a (perhaps unwritten) 10 day waiting period after you get the Yellow Fever shot before you can get on a plane and go to another country. Therefore, i (nor many of my colleagues) won't be heading to Rwanda for another 10 to 12 days. Sit tight, i guess.
Now, i come to the great debate of whether seeing Gorillaz in the wild is worth $400 US. I think yes.
No photos yet, but here's a link to the Rwanda Initiative website.
We also learned the following in Kinyarwanda:
New Greeting Hello = Muraho?
Yes = Yego
Good Morning = Mwaramutse?
How's your day? = Mwiriwe?
Have a good day = Mwirirwe
Have a good night = Muramuke
Goodbye (long time) = Murabeho
Initially, i think i might focus on the phrase: Sinzi Ikinyarwanda. It means i don't speak the language. I might catch on after a few months though. Who knows.
Another exciting detail is the less heavily advertised fact that we stop over for a day in London, England (most likely). It's not exactly the most important detail regarding the Rwanda Initiative. Nonetheless, it's all part of the adventure.
Tomorrow i will be getting my Yellow Fever vaccine. Other than that, i think i'm up to date on my shots. There's a (perhaps unwritten) 10 day waiting period after you get the Yellow Fever shot before you can get on a plane and go to another country. Therefore, i (nor many of my colleagues) won't be heading to Rwanda for another 10 to 12 days. Sit tight, i guess.
Now, i come to the great debate of whether seeing Gorillaz in the wild is worth $400 US. I think yes.
Monday, April 23, 2007
First day of Culture Orientation session
About a dozen of us sat in a small boardroom at the University today and participated in a full day session on how to approach foreign culture. Tomorrow will be the second and last day of the workshop.
It can essentially be summed up in four words: Be Open. Don't Assume.
It's pretty basic stuff, when you've traveled before. That said, i found it very informative to see the different ways one can think about approaching a new culture and country. Today was about metaphors, learning games and sociological theory. Tomorrow will be more about Rwanda specifically, and the logistics around getting there and back alive. No problemo. I'm anxious to figure out exactly what needs to be done before i go actually. Put my mind at rest.
At the meeting today were about six student interns (Journalism Grads from Carleton) and four journalists (two from the Star, one from the Citizen and the other i forget). The students will be placed with select news outlets (perhaps paired with local journalists there) and the senior journalists will be going to teach students in the university in Kigali as well as correspond for their own papers in Canada.
That's all i know so far. Oh, 'cept we'll be living in two houses that are rented for us in Kigali. There will be a cook, security and a maid -- all things that are apparently normal for any middle class family in the city.
It can essentially be summed up in four words: Be Open. Don't Assume.
It's pretty basic stuff, when you've traveled before. That said, i found it very informative to see the different ways one can think about approaching a new culture and country. Today was about metaphors, learning games and sociological theory. Tomorrow will be more about Rwanda specifically, and the logistics around getting there and back alive. No problemo. I'm anxious to figure out exactly what needs to be done before i go actually. Put my mind at rest.
At the meeting today were about six student interns (Journalism Grads from Carleton) and four journalists (two from the Star, one from the Citizen and the other i forget). The students will be placed with select news outlets (perhaps paired with local journalists there) and the senior journalists will be going to teach students in the university in Kigali as well as correspond for their own papers in Canada.
That's all i know so far. Oh, 'cept we'll be living in two houses that are rented for us in Kigali. There will be a cook, security and a maid -- all things that are apparently normal for any middle class family in the city.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Pre-Rwanda Update
I've set up this site for those interested to see how my Rwanda "experience" is goin'.
A surprisingly high amount of you seem to REALLY CARE. I'm flattered and shocked.
First of all, here is Rwanda on the map.
Secondly, it is supposed to be quite safe these days. Regardless, i think i'd be going anyway.
Lastly, i hope there's time to day-trip into Uganda...or other surrounding countries.
I have a two-day orientation on Monday and Tuesday of next week, so i'll post about that for sure. In the meantime, i have lots of stuff to do, so don't expect a lot of posting. Also, i'm not sure how great internet connection is from Rwanda...but i'll try to post as much as possible.
A surprisingly high amount of you seem to REALLY CARE. I'm flattered and shocked.
First of all, here is Rwanda on the map.
Secondly, it is supposed to be quite safe these days. Regardless, i think i'd be going anyway.
Lastly, i hope there's time to day-trip into Uganda...or other surrounding countries.
I have a two-day orientation on Monday and Tuesday of next week, so i'll post about that for sure. In the meantime, i have lots of stuff to do, so don't expect a lot of posting. Also, i'm not sure how great internet connection is from Rwanda...but i'll try to post as much as possible.