Yay, no mud falls since!! Haha. Well first, thanks to everyone for the birthday greetings!! My bday here was great. My homestay siblings were so cute and woke up to throw confetti (that the made haha) on me then before I went to school the parents sung happy birthday to me. At school, I heard Amazalibwa Amalungi (happy bday) I couple more times, had cake in class and after class stayed in town to go out with friends that night. Overall, it was a great bday!!
Saturday we went to Baha’i temple which turned out to be walking distance from my house. It was pretty awesome if not just for the fact that there’s only one on every continent so to think the one in Africa is 20 minutes away was pretty awesome. That afternoon I tacked the daunting task of laundry. Oh my gosh, it was an afternoon affair. First of all, 4 whatever reason my fam doesn’t use detergent which left me with a bar of soap to wash clothes. I was hoping they’d wash for me, as I heard may be a possibility from other students but instead they gave me a bucket and stool. Haha! I did finally finish washing sometime later but my new plan is to wash every couple days to avoid doing that much hand washing ever again. I guess it’s no big deal to them to wash all day because they have nothing else to do, but goodness gracious that was something that I have no desire to do again. I know that it constituted as a work out!
Anyways, Sunday evening after hanging out with fam and friends around, I decided that I wanted to make an American dish for them especially before the other sister left for school the next day. So we went to the local supermarket and I had all these ideas of what I’d make. Spaghetti was at the top of the list but the store had no sauce, then it was mac n cheese but this country just isn’t big on chz so couldn’t find that either, then there was always the option of baking something but then there wasn’t an oven I could use. Haha. So yeah, by the end of it I decided on pancakes, banana pancakes. But here’s the catch…So we all know, that the kitchen is not a place that I’ve spent much time. Let alone to make any food from scratch. The little cooking I do at home involves ingredients that either come in a box or simply using an oven. So now I’m trying to guess how to make these pancakes, and of course have no recipe, measuring cup and just guessed which ingredients would make good pancakes. Well evidently I did learn a lil cooking skills somewhere along the ling because they turned out pretty good. Of course making pancakes on one little charcoal stove took FOREVER but it was a good experience. Now I see why we don’t eat dinner until 10 pm every night. Everything takes twice as long here. The pan would either be too hot so we’d put ash on it to cool it down but then itd be too cool and the pancakes wouldn’t cook. It was just too funny. To say the least had a few that were a lil overcooked but it was all good. Then after I finally mastered the heat part the next challenge was flipping them. Now I’m used to working with spatulas but of course all we had were forks. Surprisingly though only one fell!! J It was all just too funny! They did enjoy them though so it was all worth it!
Oh yeah, being black with braids in Uganda allows me to blend in quite well. Today someone even asked which tribe I was! Sometimes I enjoy blending in because its just less drama but then other times I’m a little jealous of my white classmates. Haha. They get to meet so many random people just because people approach them out of curiosity but I just blend in and no one has a clue that im a foreigner til I talk. People will speak to me in lugandan sometimes or if they come by the house they will just think im a cousin. Haha, but my classmates will tell their fams about us just nonchalantly and their families are so excited to meet black Americans! So apparently we’re a hot commodity here once we’re discovered! Its all just hilarious!!
But the sucky side to be American here is the constant request for money and sponsorships. Last week my homestay dad asked me for a loan to pay the kids’ school fees and it just put me in an awkward situation. Of course, I don’t have the money to loan (which I’d never see again) him but it was just that I felt compelled to do something and felt guilty. I’m sure this will happen ten thousand more times while im here but for it to happen right in my home was surprising considering that my fam has hosted 9 other students and knows the deal. But to say the least, if you know anyone who’d want to sponsor a child in Africa, no need to wait for the tv commercials. Feel free to let me know and we can work something out. Guess this is the non glorious side about being here… somehow you have to develop a balance being charitable and desensitizing yourself. How much help to offer and when, has been the issue but thankfully I’m here with 26 other students so we all are going through it together. Then our advisors and teachers, who are all locals, are awesome so we get great advisements but still it’s just a sucky position to be put it. The little babies that are just sitting on the sidewalk (by the way I have yet 2 fig out where they come from and go, being so young) holding their hands out, or the kids that follow you and tug at you and you want to give them something but at the same time cant. Arggh! But that’s why I’m here studying development studies, to find out how to improve and under this problem from the bottom up… however to not end on a sad note, I saw monkeys yesterday on my way home. Well I think they were monkeys at least. My lil brother had no idea what I was talking about, but I know I saw monkeys which made my day! :-) By the way, there probably won’t be any updates until next week because we will heading to Rwanda this weekend!! Yay!! So keep me in your prayers and check back sometime around the end of next week for more amazing stories!! :-)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Rain in Kampala!!...
So rain in Kampala is life changing. Haha. Well in a city that is covered in red dust, rain takes on a whole nother meaning. Haha. But I guess ill rewind a little. So today we had our first site visits. We went to visit the Kasumi tombs (where the kings of the Buganda tribe are buried), a museum and Buganda Parliament. It’s quite interesting to learn the history of the country and such. The kingdom stuff is pretty cool too. Kampala, the capital is in the Buganda kingdom and it’s funny how the kings still have a say even though the country has a prez.
But anyways, I moved into my homestay on Sunday and it has been goin well. One of my “sisters” left today for boarding school and the other two older ones will leave later this week. L but otherwise life here has been diff but cool. Oh yeah, and I had really fresh chicken for dinner yesterday. When I got home from school, they had just killed one of the chickens and preparing it. Another great thing about being here is that everything I eat is crazy fresh!! Haha. The chicken was actually a lil tough and I was a lil nervous about eating it, but it turned out fine. Funny that I was so nervous to eat the fresh chicken b/c it was diff compared to the chicken that I’ve been eating at home that’s more tender and pumped with all sorts of preservatives and hormones. Haha. Like I said, thank God I still haven’t had any major stomach bouts but I’m sure once I’m welcomed back into the US by our enhanced, preserved, and everything else food, I’ll be sicker at home than ill ever get here.
The pit latrines are cool and I’m getting used to them. It’s funny though how habits are hard to break. I’ll still wake up and go to the sink but quickly remember that there is no faucet. Haha. So I still get everything done but it just takes a little more work. We have a water faucet in the backyard so we fill up cans outside and use this water for everything. But we do have electricity and such so im not roughing it too much. We have a tv, radio, and I even have my own room. But there tv here is hilarious. First of all my family loves watching this telenovela that has been dubbed in English. It seems to be really popular here despite how crappy and ridiculous it is. The other shows include random Nigerian movies and American tv shows like Ugly Betty, Medium and Hanging with Mr. Cooper (but my fam ironically doesn’t even watch the American shows). Haha.
Life here is def more 3rd world now though that I’ve moved into my home. On my walk to catch my taxi (bus) for school I pass cows chillin in the road, goats, a lady weaving a basket, kids going to a well for water and so much more. It’s pretty awesome, and just what I signed up for! Haha
My homestay dad was so excited to find out that I’m Christian. They are devout so no worries bout me going to a church on Sundays. So on tues night they had this prayer session at their house for the kids going back to school and I just sat in. when the dad finally introduced me at the end, the other ladies were asking me if I wanted to be anointed like the other kids had been and I was like sure. So they anointed me and prayed over me and such. It was good but def a lil diff considering that we don’t do that at home too often. But it was still awesome to fellowship with believers on the other side of the world. On Sunday I went to church with some of my classmates and it was so cool to be singing the same praise and worship songs there. Of course it was beautiful too, to hear them singing with the accents. And it was youth Sunday too so they sung great songs and it was just awesome!
But to finish up, this story will bring laughs. So first of all, traffic here is just crazy!! If you thought nyc traffic was bad, you have to see how they drive here. First of all, I’ve only seen one functioning stop light here which just gives you a clue of how traffic works. It’s pretty much just get where you need to go without crashing or killing anyone. Haha. Like even crossing the streets here turns into an intense game of Frogger. Of course I’ve almost been hit a few times but God is protecting me! J First of all, half of the time, I look the wrong way when crossing the street b/c they drive on the other side of the road and then I forget where I am and out of habit, wait for a break in traffic or a crosswalk or something and then remember TIA (this is Africa)!! Haha. So anyways, with this in mind, imagine how non functional traffic is when it rains. The street turned into a parking lot to a degree that ive never seen. Finally once I arrived to my district I got off and started walking home as usual. But oh man, that rain and dust made and awful mud mixture. So im walking home, not raining too bad now though but this mud is impossible to maneuver! Im trying to maintain my balance and make it home asap. But despite my best efforts and after many almost slips, I finally fell in that stupid mud. Now I was already mad and now I’m just cursing the stupid mud in my head and ready to give up and just sit on the side of the road and call the US embassy to come and rescue me or something. Haha. Prob good that I was by myself though b/c I def looked crazy just talking to myself and fussing! Haha. But long story short, I alas did make it home alive with some mud on me to show the evidence of my toil. You guys would’ve been cracking up if only you saw me! In USA I would’ve comfortably been driving my car but once again TIA and just what I signed up for! J
But anyways, I moved into my homestay on Sunday and it has been goin well. One of my “sisters” left today for boarding school and the other two older ones will leave later this week. L but otherwise life here has been diff but cool. Oh yeah, and I had really fresh chicken for dinner yesterday. When I got home from school, they had just killed one of the chickens and preparing it. Another great thing about being here is that everything I eat is crazy fresh!! Haha. The chicken was actually a lil tough and I was a lil nervous about eating it, but it turned out fine. Funny that I was so nervous to eat the fresh chicken b/c it was diff compared to the chicken that I’ve been eating at home that’s more tender and pumped with all sorts of preservatives and hormones. Haha. Like I said, thank God I still haven’t had any major stomach bouts but I’m sure once I’m welcomed back into the US by our enhanced, preserved, and everything else food, I’ll be sicker at home than ill ever get here.
The pit latrines are cool and I’m getting used to them. It’s funny though how habits are hard to break. I’ll still wake up and go to the sink but quickly remember that there is no faucet. Haha. So I still get everything done but it just takes a little more work. We have a water faucet in the backyard so we fill up cans outside and use this water for everything. But we do have electricity and such so im not roughing it too much. We have a tv, radio, and I even have my own room. But there tv here is hilarious. First of all my family loves watching this telenovela that has been dubbed in English. It seems to be really popular here despite how crappy and ridiculous it is. The other shows include random Nigerian movies and American tv shows like Ugly Betty, Medium and Hanging with Mr. Cooper (but my fam ironically doesn’t even watch the American shows). Haha.
Life here is def more 3rd world now though that I’ve moved into my home. On my walk to catch my taxi (bus) for school I pass cows chillin in the road, goats, a lady weaving a basket, kids going to a well for water and so much more. It’s pretty awesome, and just what I signed up for! Haha
My homestay dad was so excited to find out that I’m Christian. They are devout so no worries bout me going to a church on Sundays. So on tues night they had this prayer session at their house for the kids going back to school and I just sat in. when the dad finally introduced me at the end, the other ladies were asking me if I wanted to be anointed like the other kids had been and I was like sure. So they anointed me and prayed over me and such. It was good but def a lil diff considering that we don’t do that at home too often. But it was still awesome to fellowship with believers on the other side of the world. On Sunday I went to church with some of my classmates and it was so cool to be singing the same praise and worship songs there. Of course it was beautiful too, to hear them singing with the accents. And it was youth Sunday too so they sung great songs and it was just awesome!
But to finish up, this story will bring laughs. So first of all, traffic here is just crazy!! If you thought nyc traffic was bad, you have to see how they drive here. First of all, I’ve only seen one functioning stop light here which just gives you a clue of how traffic works. It’s pretty much just get where you need to go without crashing or killing anyone. Haha. Like even crossing the streets here turns into an intense game of Frogger. Of course I’ve almost been hit a few times but God is protecting me! J First of all, half of the time, I look the wrong way when crossing the street b/c they drive on the other side of the road and then I forget where I am and out of habit, wait for a break in traffic or a crosswalk or something and then remember TIA (this is Africa)!! Haha. So anyways, with this in mind, imagine how non functional traffic is when it rains. The street turned into a parking lot to a degree that ive never seen. Finally once I arrived to my district I got off and started walking home as usual. But oh man, that rain and dust made and awful mud mixture. So im walking home, not raining too bad now though but this mud is impossible to maneuver! Im trying to maintain my balance and make it home asap. But despite my best efforts and after many almost slips, I finally fell in that stupid mud. Now I was already mad and now I’m just cursing the stupid mud in my head and ready to give up and just sit on the side of the road and call the US embassy to come and rescue me or something. Haha. Prob good that I was by myself though b/c I def looked crazy just talking to myself and fussing! Haha. But long story short, I alas did make it home alive with some mud on me to show the evidence of my toil. You guys would’ve been cracking up if only you saw me! In USA I would’ve comfortably been driving my car but once again TIA and just what I signed up for! J
Monday, September 8, 2008
Nile River and pit latrines :)
Hey!! Well it finally feels like I’m in Africa!! We finally got out of the city today and went to another area called Jinja. We went to see the source of the Nile which was just surreal to think that I was there and touched the famous Nile River. The same river that baby Moses floated on (haha), that the explorers came down on, etc. Then during our last orientation session, we were just sitting outside listening to more and more repetitive information (haha) and guess what we saw in the trees?! There were little monkeys swinging in the trees and eating bananas. They were just chilling and it was no biggy to the locals of course. I was of course freaking out to see the lil monkeys swinging in the trees. I finally felt like I was in Africa! We also went to a waterfall and it was beautiful. It was not large at all but it was still pretty. And the other TIA (this is Africa) moment was definelt the pit latrine. They had the place all nice looking and it was tiled nicely and all but surprise…it was a hole in the ground with tile around it! Haha!! TIA!!!
But I’m def excited for my home stay family!! I have 6 siblings of all ages. I moved in last night with them and it went well. I have my own room and cant really complain. Of course, its different considering that I have a pit latrine in the backyard and took baths in a basin but its def wahat I signed up for! :-)
My family has hosted 9 other students so to say the least they have made my transition pretty good. Sadly, all the kids in the house that I am befriending are leaving for boarding school (which is pretty common here even among the lower classes). They are leaving tomorrow and Wed so then we’ll see how the dynamics change after its just me, the parents and the babies. But my homestay dad brought me 2 school this morn and now my next adventure will be making it home today, but Ill let you know how that goes.
But the food is still going great, havent gotten sick yet!! :-) Its crazy 2 have such fresh foods!! Ill prob get sicker coming back home after having fresh meats and fruits everyday! But thats the short of it now and check in again l8r this week for an update.
Love yous guys and and keep me in your prayers!!
But I’m def excited for my home stay family!! I have 6 siblings of all ages. I moved in last night with them and it went well. I have my own room and cant really complain. Of course, its different considering that I have a pit latrine in the backyard and took baths in a basin but its def wahat I signed up for! :-)
My family has hosted 9 other students so to say the least they have made my transition pretty good. Sadly, all the kids in the house that I am befriending are leaving for boarding school (which is pretty common here even among the lower classes). They are leaving tomorrow and Wed so then we’ll see how the dynamics change after its just me, the parents and the babies. But my homestay dad brought me 2 school this morn and now my next adventure will be making it home today, but Ill let you know how that goes.
But the food is still going great, havent gotten sick yet!! :-) Its crazy 2 have such fresh foods!! Ill prob get sicker coming back home after having fresh meats and fruits everyday! But thats the short of it now and check in again l8r this week for an update.
Love yous guys and and keep me in your prayers!!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Its been 4 days and Im still alive!! :-)
Oli Otyo (how are you)?! Haha. So the drop off was quite successful. Yesterday was our first day of actually getting out there. I was expecting to have to use Lugandan a lot more but surprisingly everyone spoke English!! It was too funny, we would go out and try to use our Lugandan and the people would laugh and smile and respond in English. They were happy to hear us using it though. :- )
But you guys wouldn’t believe how western the city is though. They have all the same items available and brand names. I even have seen billboards for my ambi facewash. Pretty much I can find everything we have here, but it’s a lil more expensive. Then, surprisingly all the music that I’ve heard here has been American! Ive even seen new music videos here that I hadn’t seen there! Im kinda mad though that I haven’t even heard the “African beats”. Haha. There’s a bowling alley, ice skating rink, movie theater and our stores at the Garden City Mall which is there indoor mall. It’s pretty much straight American from what ive heard. But I guess once we get out of the city it’ll feel a little more authentic. J
Today I went to the hospital with a few friends and it def was above
I found out who was my family is but haven’t met them yet. I’ve heard that they have kids though so ill see how it goes when I move in on Sunday.
But the people here are really cool and I can’t believe that I’ve only known them for just a few days. We have lots of plans so we’ll see how they all go. Oh yeah, and you guys know how I’ve always loved my birthday and no worries we will be celebrating my birthday! J
But that’s all for now. Just know that I’m doing well (haven’t gotten sick yet), eating and showering every day. Hehe. I am def missing you all though and have “moments” of sadness but for the most part I try to keep busy. So I hang out with the others most days til it’s time to go to sleep. We’ll see how the transition goes next week though once I’m in my home. Love you guys and I’m missing you all. Keep me in your prayers and check in again next week…
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
First Week Here
Hey! Well my first few days have been great! Its so beautiful here!! There are lush rolling hills and the weather here is perfect!! Theres a great breeze and it hasnt been hotter than around 80. In the evenings, the temp is around 60. The food here has been great too and they feed us all the time!! haha.
Right now we are living in the capital city at a hotel. Right now we are still living the high life as they transition us. The main thing that's a big diff is that we have to use internet cafes but other than that not too many other inconveniences.
The other students are totally amazing. But I guess to agree to come to Uganda for 3 months too says a lot. haha. We started our Luganda classes today and tomorrow we have our "drop-off" where we have a mission and have to make it back with just a partner. So we'll see how that goes. Im excited for it though! We will also be going on a trip this weekend too. We def stay busy!! :-)
The people here are very nice but of course rolling around with 25 white people always atracts attention. haha. There are 2 blacks, 1 mixed, 3 indians and the rest white. So in a country of all black people, we Muzngus (foreigners/ white ppl) always attract attn but its cool. They sometimes think Im like then but I quickly talk and let them know I have no idea what they're saying. haha.
We go to our homestays on Sunday though and Im excited for that. NOt quite sure what to expect but sure it'll be amazing. But my time is running out so Ill sign off for now. But look around next week or this weekend for an update. Love you all and miss ya!! Wish you guys were here to experience this though. Its so awesome!!
Love, Dee
Right now we are living in the capital city at a hotel. Right now we are still living the high life as they transition us. The main thing that's a big diff is that we have to use internet cafes but other than that not too many other inconveniences.
The other students are totally amazing. But I guess to agree to come to Uganda for 3 months too says a lot. haha. We started our Luganda classes today and tomorrow we have our "drop-off" where we have a mission and have to make it back with just a partner. So we'll see how that goes. Im excited for it though! We will also be going on a trip this weekend too. We def stay busy!! :-)
The people here are very nice but of course rolling around with 25 white people always atracts attention. haha. There are 2 blacks, 1 mixed, 3 indians and the rest white. So in a country of all black people, we Muzngus (foreigners/ white ppl) always attract attn but its cool. They sometimes think Im like then but I quickly talk and let them know I have no idea what they're saying. haha.
We go to our homestays on Sunday though and Im excited for that. NOt quite sure what to expect but sure it'll be amazing. But my time is running out so Ill sign off for now. But look around next week or this weekend for an update. Love you all and miss ya!! Wish you guys were here to experience this though. Its so awesome!!
Love, Dee
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