It's 1:30 am and I just spent 3 days traveling

So between San Francisco, London, Nairobi and Kigali, I thought of so many things that I wanted to say in my first post from Rwanda. Unfortunately, now that I actually have time, a computer, quiet, and enough energy to type, I can say a few things.

Before today I have never felt my skin color be so much of a determining feature as I have since I stepped on a flight bound for Africa. It isn't a judgment that effects my worth the way that skin color determined self-worth in the United States in the 1950s, and, let's face it - the way it still does today. Here, my white skin is more an indication of my money, power and rarity.

I am literally falling asleep right now - but first a quick anecdote. The other interns of WE-ACTx picked me up in the airport just as I was about to be picked up by a taxi. The four girls took me to the clinic in downtown Kigali, where I met the other members of the organization. Then, after exploring the downtown street-shop area for a short bit, I took a nap and dinner and shower at home and finally the five of us headed to a local bar and lounge. No lie - we met a man there who

blood and guts

also - here are all of the shots I had to get a few months ago. Yellow fever (I had to sit in the office for half an hour in case I had a rare yet deadly allergic reaction. The nurse told me there was also a small chance it could happen ten days later. Don't worry - it didn't). I also had polio (adult version), meningitis, and now I can't remember the others. Oh right, hepatitis a.

- Joss

So I'm leaving San Francisco very soon

My flight is in a couple of days - which means that I will start taking my malaria meds tomorrow. Is it weird that I'm excited about that? I don't know, but I am.

Right now I'm here in the city with my entire family for my little sister's high school graduation. My brother and sister-in-law flew in for a surprise with their 8month old son (who is sleeping next to me on the couch right now). Things are getting super busy, which is good because I am trying to save my books for the flight. First I fly from SFO to Heathrow in London (estimated 13hours in the air). Then I have an 8 hour layover in London. 9 hours to Nairobi and another 2 to Kigali.

Most importantly, here are the best ways to contact me:
my e-mail address is miss.sutton@gmail.com
I will be logged into skype every time that I have internet. My screen name on that is: Miss.Sutton. If you don't have skype, you really should. It's free and you can call other computers all over the world for free. You can also call landlines anywhere in the US or Canada from the US or Canada. Soon that won't include me. But still - it's a great deal and probably the best way to talk to me for the next few months.

More soon -

Jocelyne