If this is to end in fire...

This will be my last blog entry in Uganda and I just can’t believe it.

I COSed! Meaning, I closed my service and am no longer a Peace Corps Volunteer! I finished! I’m done! It’s over! Can you imagine??

I took my COS trip to the DRC (Congo) to climb Mt. Nyiragongo which is an active volcano with a lava lake at the top. There are only 5(?) of these in the world! When I say wow I mean WOW! It was like looking into the center of the earth. The journey was long, the hike was tiresome, but reaching the top and looking down at that pit of spitting molten rock was the most amazing experience. It got better at night. The constant shifting and changing was memorizing to watch. You could hear the rumble, smell the sulfur, and feel the warmth on your face. It was simply awe inspiring to witness something of that magnitude. Also a little terrifying (Fantasia’s ‘end of the dinosaurs’ scene anyone?)

Now let’s talk more about how I actually finished Peace Corps. I spent some few days in Kampala at the office getting papers signed and doing medical tests to get ready to go. Turns out I had Giardia, but no symptoms which is weird. They shot me up with Novocaine at the dentist to fix a filling and I ended up chewing up my lip while it was numb, so I looked a bit silly with half a swollen mouth. I even got an industrial piercing! (fingers crossed no infections) But I made it through and got to hit the gong I’ve been walking by for the last two years at headquarters. What an exciting moment. Cheering from my fellow PCVs and other staff members who have been with me through it all. Hugs, smiles, and even a few tears. I gave the office a final look over before exiting through the gate and grabbing a boda (motorcycle that PCVs aren’t allowed to ride) to the nearest taxi.

I then proceeded back to site :P Now that’s something you don’t hear very often, but it was future site visit for the new group and my carrier was there so I wanted to go meet her and show her around the place. Talk about weird feelings. When I got off the taxi and saw my school, it felt like I was in a dream. Nothing felt right. Like I wasn’t supposed to be there. “Um, excuse me RPCV. Go home already.” kind of thing. But it was nice to be with the carriers. Made me seriously reflect on how I was feeling 2 years ago during my FSV and how much has happened since then. It’s just unbelievable what an incredible amount I’ve learned since reaching here.

Now my final day has at long last come. I’ve spent the day organizing, packing, receiving visitors, and saying goodbyes. It has been an emotional 13 hours since I woke up and it’s weird to think I’ll be on a plane at this time tomorrow, but at the same time I’m ready to be home. Uganda has been wonderful, not all the time of course, but looking back, I’m really glad I stuck it through. It’s taught me so much and has made me eager to continue exploring this vast (yet very small) world of ours. <3

It's the Final Countdown!

School has ended and I fly outta here in two weeks!

Home sweet home.
I'm really going to miss this place <3

As the term was coming to an end, I did one final project with the P6 girls. We learned about the female reproductive system and how to make ReUsable Menstrual Pads (RUMPs). I did this at the end of last year too. A lot of girls don’t go to school in Uganda because they don’t have money to buy pads while on their period, so this is a good solution for that since they’re made from local materials and last for a long time. It was a success and everyone enjoyed.

Our lovely lady RUMPs
Check it out!

When I leave, my school will be getting another carrier Peace Corps Volunteer who just arrived in Uganda a couple of weeks ago and is now in training. I was able to go meet her 2 weeks ago and she will be coming to visit my/her/our site during the last few days before I leave Uganda. It’s very exciting to see who will be taking over and I’m eager to see what good work she does with the school.

You are most welcome!

This year marked the 4^th Thanksgiving that I’ve missed and that’s kind of a bummer. Luckily I have good friends who like to eat. We all met up and had a lovely (huge) dinner and introduced the holiday to locals. It was delicious.

"Turkey lurkey doo and
Turkey lurkey dap.
I eat turkey
Then I take a nap"

I hate saying goodbye and it’s no exception having to say it to my pupils and teachers. This past Friday, we had our staff end of year party. We went to a guest house, ate “lunch” (served at 5pm), and danced. They honored me by saying thank you and giving me a gift (I teared up a bit). On the coaster ride back home, they were all talking and laughing and my mind instantly went to the memory of my 1^st coaster ride in Uganda from the airport to our training center with my lovely cohort. Now here I am, two years later, with these great people who have shaped my life so much and saying goodbye knowing that I’ll probably never see them again. Talk about emotional.

Playing

Dancing

This last week has consisted of me going through my things, making lists of what needs to be done, and crafting (making small Christmas gifts for you people back home). I sold my guitar to a PCV friend, got rid of old clothes, and tomorrow I’m going to start packing up. Thankfully I’m able to leave most everything to my carrier so I don’t have to worry so much about that.

My teachers raiding my closet

I said goodbye to some fellow volunteers this weekend. A group of us went out to dinner last night and some few crashed at my place. This week, I’ll be saying goodbye to even more as my cohort has already started leaving and some are already back home in the states!

The last supper

Watching "Christmas Vacation" :D

I find myself wondering how it’s possible that two years could have gone by already. Freaks me out how quickly these last two weeks are going to go…

PS: Happy Independence Day Finland! It has now been 3 years since I was carrying a torch through town at -22 degrees Celsius to celebrate, but I still miss it as much as ever. I'm very lucky to have been given these experiences living abroad.