Gorillas in the Midst

This blog is a small diversion from Global Mamas and my volunteer program, and, yes, an absolutely painful play on words (I couldn't help myself).

While on the African continent, I thought I should take advantage of being there...not knowing when I would have the opportunity to return. So a friend and I took a short trip to see the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda.

The gorillas were spectacular, of course, but what impressed upon me the most during the trip is what an absolutely amazing country Rwanda is. Immediately after leaving the airport in Kigali, I noticed how clean and green and fresh and new everything looked. This was not the post-genocide Rwanda I expected. I wasn't expecting to feel in danger or that I walked into the middle of a country with severe social and political strife. But I also did not expect to walk into a country that seemed so at peace, friendly, and most notably, devoid of trash. There were visible signs of progress being made everywhere – new roads and buildings, people working on various upgrades to the villages, etc.

Why no trash? I found out that Rwanda has done two amazing things: outlawed plastic bags, and; instituted clean-up day once a month (stores close down and everyone is required to clean their immediate area). Simple things with little to no impact on a person's life, but a HUGE impact on the environment and beauty of the country.

How could a country be at peace so soon after the genocide atrocities committed? I don't know. And after touring the Genocide Museum, I REALLY don't know because I hadn't previously understood the extent of what happened. I can only imagine it is the amazing ability for the people of Rwanda to forgive and move forward that has allowed Rwanda to be the country I experienced.

OK, on to the gorillas! You're probably familiar with the Mountain Gorillas and don't even know it. Remember Dian Fossey? Gorillas in the Mist movie? Well, there are several gorilla families living in the mountains that include borders between Rwanda, Uganda, and the Congo. National parks have been established to try to save the gorillas from extinction. This means making the keeping of the gorillas more profitable than the poaching of them. So the license/ticket to do a gorilla trek is quite pricey but hopefully saving these beautiful, gentle beings.

The trek included 8 tourists and a myriad of guides, trackers, and security patrol. We found a family within 2 hours and were able to observe for an hour before returning. The encounter was thrilling for me, but the gorillas were oddly disinterested in us. We observed them eating, playing, and relaxing, and often I would think – wow that just looks like a human in a fur suit (but I guess they almost are). Anyway, some photos included (after 8 hours of uploading :)...

Towards the end of my trip a driver asked what I thought of his country and I answered, “It is one of the most impressive countries I have ever seen.” I meant it.

-Charlotte