FAQs (The Sequel)

Well some of you are certainly creative! We had a couple more questions that we were asked to put up, so here goes!

Do you have secret plans to adopt a Burundian baby while abroad?

Not on this trip! Ask us again in a few years. ;)

What is on your reading list for the summer - gotta pack a few books, right?

I (Sarah) am dying to take a ton of books and am bummed that I must limit myself due to obvious space issues. Boo! We're taking Velvet Elvis for sure, and a few NT Wright books. Definitely our new must-read book, African Friends and Money Matters!

 

What are you most excited about landing in Africa?

The traveler in me will just be excited to take in all the unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells. It's always so invigorating to be in a new, exotic environment. But what I'm really looking forward to is parting of the veil of mystery that surrounds Africa. It seems we in the West only hear about AIDS-ravaged, starving, corrupt, mud hut Africa. While these are certainly elements of life there, there is also an Africa of stock markets and air conditioning and Ph.D's and cell phones. I'm really looking forward to being able to see Africa for what is really is - both good and bad - and stop taking it on rumor!

Do you have a theme song for your African adventure?

Hmm. Your creativity knows no bounds! Maybe Bon Jovi, "It's My Life"! "It's now or never...I just want to live while I'm alive!".

Are you going to learn the local language while there - and what is it, anyways?

The local language is Kirundi, although a few Burundians are bilingual and also speak French. Ron and I both took Spanish in high school and our French pronunciation is hilariously terrible! We are trying to learn a few words of both Kirundi and French out of respect - words like "please", "thank you", and "do you speak English?". But we are B-A-D. The only Kirundi word we've mastered is mzungu - "white person". We are anticipating that our two four-year-old companions on this trip, Justin and Emma, will pick it up quickly and then be able to teach us how to get around. =)

What are you going to miss most...what should be in those care packages?

You. Ice in our drinks. Tap water. Chips and salsa. Washing machines. In-n-Out. Peanut Butter. Water pressure.