World wide apology (rather more like friends and family), sorry about the blog delay. Ever heard of a funk or writer’s block? I do not have the excuse of either. Rather, I have just been incredibly lazy and have not taken the time to prepare this (now lengthy) entry. Thank you for your patience. Please send the angry letters to the home.
Perspective from the inside: Peace Corps
Longer than my BSN essay…doesn’t take much (shorten a life journey from 5 pages to 1 – bitter, what?!)
In consideration of this inside perspective fact, future blogs/emails should be created in order to understand the views of others who participated in the trip. Thank you for your time.
They came…they saw…they went. What more can I say?
Change of plans: They Came…
My first day was fabulous. I had a nice relaxing day in Kampala and then was driven by J, our incredible friend and driver throughout the trip, to Cassio Lodge, an amazing hotel with a great view of Lake Victoria and stayed there that night alone, in the beautiful place with electricity and hot showers. On the other side of the world, the family was enjoying a nice relaxing day in New York City because of their missed flight (it would have been a perfect trip if they had gone to the theatre). The next day, I enjoyed a nice relaxing day in Kampala. In the evening I met J at Pearl of Africa so we could drive to the airport together. A coffee and 20 laps around the terminal later, they arrived. Even after a year apart we all recognized each other! Due to their late arrival, we had to change the plans of our travels a bit. Instead of going to Jinja the first part of the trip, we had to drive the eight hour journey to Murchinson Falls. On the way we stopped at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary where we saw two female rhinos and learned the name for rhino in Luganda (I have already forgotten). Our afternoon chimpanzee track was uneventful besides for the nice walk and rain in the Kaniyo-Pabidi Forest. I am not going to describe every hotel/lodge we stayed at, but all I am going to say is: bulungi nyo (very good). These hotels were definitely not for a Peace Corps budget or anyone trying to save a bit of money. Anyway, they were amazingly nice and fancy…the food unfortunately was the same. Very rich in flavor, catering more to the muzungu taste than Ugandan, lacking matooke, ebijanjalo (beans), and muchere (rice) (sad news, I know). Obviously, the majority of people who travel to these areas are not Ugandan. Especially in the villages, it is very rare for Ugandan’s to travel mainly due to lack of funds. Still, many Ugandans are incredibly eager and willing to ask whether I can take them back to the United States with me when I return. This answer usually turns into a: “No” or “If you are able to get a visa” which is very difficult to obtain. Back on track…on with the trip. We began the next day with an amazing game drive in Murchinson Falls. J was driving while S sat in the front (sicky xoxoxo), D and myself sat in the middle, while M sat in the back. This was basically the driving set up for the whole trip. The top of the vehicle was lifted up so we could view our surroundings outside. At first we took pictures of anything and everything, not really believing that in front of us was a giraffe eating from a tree, or a buffalo drinking water. As we saw more animals, we (for the most part besides D :P) realized that we could be selective and take amazing photos of animals as they ran, walked, stood right beside our vehicle. We then took a boat ride on the Nile, viewing hippos and crocodiles before returning to our lodge for the evening. The walk to the top of the falls was pretty easy. The soothing sounds of the water crashing against the rocks and the incredible view (which included a rainbow!) made us want to stay there forever. Thankfully we moved on.
A few of our days were dedicated to driving or rather sitting in a car for hours at a time talking/reading/sleeping. While this sounds easy enough, considering the fact that the family dynamic has not been a major part of our lives for a few years, we were a bit rusty. Looking back on it all though, it was an enjoyable time and I think we all learned a little more about each of ourselves during the process. I also learned that my dislike for things I have never tried is pathetic (ie Harry Potter). I have read the whole Harry Potter series while in Uganda…loved it (#6 rocks). Other books I have loved: A Handmaid’s Tale, Rose of No Man’s Land, Namesake, Unaccustomed Earth…ask for more recommendations if curious. Nature Lodge + fear of being eaten by anything moving in the forest = S, jumping into my same bed or not sleeping at all thinking she is going to be a chimpanzee’s next meal. Other epiphanies: Chimpanzees are amazing! On our way to Queen Elizabeth we went to Kibale Forest for chimp tracking. Consider this: You are in the middle of the forest with approximately 15 other muzungus looking for chimpanzees, huge mammals that can crush you with basically one blow from their powerful arm strength, when all of a sudden you hear their call. However, their call is not from far away as you expected, but rather, very near…and then you hear another call…and another, and another…until you realize you are surrounded by chimpanzees. Anyone seen the Congo (S…) – me Amy…Amy good gorilla (don’t ask – rent it)? The communication of chimpanzees is an intimidating noise, not at all inviting to outsiders. Still, the first time we saw these creatures, there was an instant connection. Honestly, while I understand that the gorillas are rare and the “thing to see” in Uganda, I cannot imagine them being that much more exciting than the chimpanzees. Anyway, they were pretty awesome. Actually, I think overall, I am a huge primate fan. Baboons by the way are incredibly stubborn animals which rarely fear interaction with homo-sapiens. Haha time: Baboon + ball = crying child (haha!). And then some…Queen Elizabeth. The first day we arrived, J (love you man!), drives right up to a pack of lions so that we can take pictures! Uh huh .first reaction/words which come to mind…game drive, boat drive - elephants. Words can not express the magnificent animals that live in this country. Ask (not me if you want to see them in the next year) to see the pictures. Lake Mburo, zebras.
My Site: Kyotera, Kalisizo, Ssanje/Rakai District: They Saw…
Again, what can I say?! How can I describe in words the fact that my family saw my life for the past year in approximately 2.5 days? They met each and every one of my friends, including seeing the SHARE project team in action, as they talked with both the girls and boys of Sabina about adolescence and HIV/AIDS. I am still baffled as to how we were able to do/see it all (including the ostrich farm – horny b*st**ds) plus talk with people, besides the obvious fact that we had J to help us out with the driving situation. They would have had to stay another month if they wanted to take public transportation in Rakai and see everything we did in those few days. Also, WOW to my amazing family. I think that some of the kids would have rather switched one of them for me. As soon as S got to the school, she began reading with most of the kids in the library, while M was just as involved. D got involved a bit less, but was just as loved by the kids and staff. From the day they visited to now (and I am sure until the time I leave here) I will be asked how my family is and whether they are returning soon. I cannot emphasize the fact that it has been such a long time since interacting with them for a significant period of time, but my appreciation for them has grown fonder ever since. B, I am looking forward to this experience from you as well. I am so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. Again thank you…for your support, care, love, life…the list goes on. A huge “thank you” from the Sabina/Ssanje community. Gifts + toothbrushes for a year + money for mosquito nets +++++ = LOVE. Since coming here, to Uganda, I have come to appreciate everyone (still) in my life more. While often times this appreciation is difficult to discern, I feel lucky to have each and every family member and friend presently in my life. I know that you all are truly there for me even though I am thousands of miles away and it is a comforting feeling. And scene!...the end. Corniness maze (finished).
The Last Days: They Went
(of the trip…sickos!)
Jinja, the source of the Nile, Kampala, and Entebbe. We left early in the morning from Kyotera to go to Jinja. We stopped at the equator…took some pictures (water/toilet flushing experiment still in progress). In Kampala, because we lost one day at the beginning of the trip, instead of going to the museums as planned, we visited the people at Kiwanga, my other site. Afterwards, we went into town (aka Kampala) and the family shopped at the craft market for gifts. In Entebbe we went to the botanical gardens. While there, we saw a monkey which was walking on its hands. Our guide told us that the monkey had its legs bitten off by a dog and survived. People come from all over to see this monkey. Not only is the monkey a part of a family, but she had a baby, which the rest of the family carry on their backs because she is unable to do so. If this isn’t the most amazing sense of family and care, I don’t know what is! After the botanical gardens we stopped at a gas station to get S some banana chips and then headed to the airport. I wasn’t sure what to expect, in terms of a goodbye for the next year, but I wasn’t expecting S to start crying. Damn her two holed dog! Anyway, it was a sentimental moment. I realized then (and often times before) that maybe my family may actually like being with me…all the more to look forward to when I return in another year.
Since then: The Journey Continues…
*Preparation for India October 1
*PC Country Director un-expectantly leaving
*Reach Out training for qualitative research (in progress)
*Beading…possibly selling them at our monthly dancing in Masaka at the Tropic Inn
(money + publicity)
*Future plans: accelerated BSN (pre-requisites and deciding where, still in progress)
*Periodic calls from J telling me how much he misses my family and thanking them for a care package or pictures from their trip
*Saw my first birth at Musawo L’s clinic…it was much quicker than I thought it would be. I guess there are some perks to having many children.
Until the next 2+ months…just kidding. Post punctuality. Got it!
