It’s been raining so I haven’t had solar power in Bigodi so I’m a little late posting this blog. Even in Fort Portal the power is out today (happens frequently) but luckily my favorite internet café has a generator!
1. Growing pains-I live in an 11 X 11 room/Banda that also serves as my office. It has been plenty big for the last three months. However, with the addition of Katatito it’s becoming a little crowded! He is now in the I want to explore and chew on everything phase, very challenging in such a small space. I am however proud to report that he has gained almost 2 pounds in the last 1.5 weeks so he no longer looks so scrawny. There is a picture of him from his very first day with me in the Uganda pictures album.
2. Turning 32 in Uganda- Last Wednesday I turned 32! A year ago I had no idea that I would be spending this birthday or for that matter half of 2009 in Uganda. You never know what can happen in a year. Birthdays traditionally are not celebrated in Uganda however with more and more western influences it’s becoming custom in some areas. Tinka and his family don’t make a big deal out of birthdays (his went unnoticed just a week before mine) so it was a quiet day. They did make me my favorite dinner and even got me a soda which is a rare treat! Happy Birthday was sung in both English and Rutoroo.
While my birthday was quiet on this side of the world, it certainly was not quiet over email and the phone. Thank you for all your emails (and my sis for sending out a reminder), facebook posts, phone calls, and texts! It’s nice to know that while I’m on the other side of the world I am certainly not forgotten.
3. A shared birthday- As fate would have it; Leon and I were born exactly 30 and half years a part. So when I turned 32 last Wednesday he officially turned 1 and a half! Leon also got a soda to celebrate; Grape Fanta is his drink of choice whereas I am partial to Orange.
4. You’ve got mail- I’ll be the first to admit that I so don’t understand the mail system here! The average appears to be 3-4 weeks to get a letter or package here. However, sometimes they get here in 2 weeks and currently I’m still waiting on a package and letter that was mailed over 4 weeks ago! Even with the frustrations with the mail, I did get two fantastic packages this week so thank you very much. Every book, granola bar, and drink mix go a long way to making my stay here that much more comfortable. It has been amazing to have so many people supporting me on this journey- thank you!
5. Decisions, Decisions- I think the hardest decisions to make are when you are choosing between two good options. I was “lucky” enough to be in that position last week. The NC Zoo had wanted to extend my contract here past the initial six months and I learned that Wake County 4-H was going to have a position for me in August (thus honoring my six month leave of absence) even in light of the recession.
After being homesick the first almost two months, recently I have settled into life here that I was in no hurry to leave. On the other hand, I know jobs are not easy to come by at home right now and I am lucky enough to have a job that I enjoy. Ultimately, after a lot of soul searching I decided to come at the end of July at the end of my six month contract. Uganda and it's people have touched me deeply that I know I will find a way to continue to help the people who live in this region. I'm already tossing around different fundraising ideas! I know I will come back to this beautiful place at some point.
6. Toro Botanical Gardens- In addition to my main job of training teachers in the 10 UNITE schools, I am also suppose to be working with Toro Botanical Gardens in Fort Portal. The Gardens are very large with walking trails, demonstration gardens, a nursery, and a new drying and processing facility. Their focus is on plants that are indigenous to Uganda. Last week Tinka and I attended the grand opening of the new drying and processing plant. It was a big affair with the French ambassador to Uganda as the main speaker. Ugandan’s are big on formalities and speeches so there were lots of speeches! Here is an article on the event http://allafrica.com/stories/200905070540.html.
7. An international following- My blog is being read my people in 13 countries: US, Uganda, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Spain, Qatar, Guyana, Kenya, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, Israel, and Kenya!! How cool is that!
8. Mornings in Uganda- I love to wake up a little before 6:30am, open my window in my little Banda and just listen as Uganda wakes up all around me. First a few birds will wake up and start chattering to each other than more and more until it sounds like there is a bird symphony outside my window. Shortly, after I can hear the women sweeping their compounds. There are lots of morning chores to be done.
9. The new normal- After being here over three months here are a few things that I now think of as normal:
- Seeing women carrying things to market in big baskets that they balance on their heads
- Using a latrine during the day and a juice bucket at night
- Having to dial a country code to talk to my best friend
- Passing pigs and goats grazing on the side of the road on my daily walks
- Not understanding a word that is being said in church!
- Eating dinner after 8pm every night
- Seeing people walk miles on rough dirt roads barefoot
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