And its down to 7 days...

The first pic is when me and Carmen (a Spanish doctor that came for a couple of weeks) commentated on the World Cup match of Spain vs. Switzerland, live on Congolese TV. J The doctor who invited us (turns out he also works in TV, having various jobs is something quite common here in order to make enough money).

The second picture is of the audience I spoke to during a

conference I helped organize at the University of Kinshasa. I got the Chief of Mission from the U.S. Embassy to come all the way there and they also wanted me to say a few words. –What bizarre and challenging experiences, but sooo amazing at the same time!! I can officially say that I have conquered my fear of public speaking in French.

I’m leaving in a week, and its soo sad to think that it’s coming to an end. I’ve made amazing friends, lived through things I never thought I would, and learned how to love and appreciate a culture so far, yet so close, from my own.

I’ve come to learn about the human spirit and the human force that drives us. What I’m most scared of is that I will forget all of this after the first few weeks of being back. My mind cannot fathom some of things I will have once I’m back—I’m used to the chaos, the precautions that are taken daily, time never being an issue because many things cannot be prevented—like 2 and a half hour traffic jams because there are no other roads to take.

Well, for now I’m trying just to enjoy the last few days that I have here, making sure that I enjoy them to the fullest!!

But I will say that I’m getting a bit tired—I think I did a good job timing everything. And I’m now truly starting to miss everyone back home—for all of you know that know me, you know that I don’t get homesick often, mostly be cause I just keep going and don’t let myself think about it—but now I’m getting to that point where I want to be able in a place with people around me in which I can just fully let go and relax.

Hasta prontito everyone!

Maurice, Mika, Joyce are a few of their names

The pictures are of the neigborhood children Carolina (1 pic has her in it) and I got to meet and are now friends with—they are wonderful!!! They come up and hug me right away.

Soo…only 1 month left, I’m truly having a hard time thinking about that. Yesterday Carolina, the Spanish girl that also lived in the residence, left back to Spain. It was sad seeing her leave and think that that would be me in a few days. But on to the fun things that I’m planning so I don’t realize I’m leaving until the day actually comes… J

- I’m hoping to leave for Goma, in the east of the DRC, bordering with Rwanda. It’s been a conflict area and I wanted to learn a bit more before I left because I’ve been given the opportunity to go for a good price. I will be staying with someone I know there and am arranging some tours with some NGOs there as well as visiting the families of some of the girls here.

- I’m coordinating a conference at the University of Kinshasa with the Rector and the Chief of Mission at the US Embassy for the 21^st of June—cross your fingers because it might actually work out and I might have to be the moderator in a crowd of about 500 Congolese students. J

- I’m heading off to a few celebrations—the Swedish national day celebration at the embassy this Friday and the 30^th of June celebration with the choir.

I’ve had an amazing experience that will shape the way I see life from now on. One thing that I hope to share with whomever is reading this is that we accomplish the most in life when we don’t settle for comfort. Comfort is something that so many take for granted but which so few have the luxury to have.

Oh, if anyone is reading this and has contacts in Paris—the choir is looking for a place to stay for a few days in the middle of August—they are a great group of people and I hope I can do them this favor. I’m trying to get in touch with some places, but any help would be great.

Botondi Mingi—Merci—Thank you