I apologize in advance for
this post. It is going to be comprised
of random thoughts I have had over the past couple of days. If you want more detail, let me know and I
can write a post in more detail. For
now, this is what my mind can put together.
- My 70-year-old
supervisor fractured his leg. After I
found out that he would be okay with some rest, I asked what he did upon
fracturing it and what he was doing to help with the pain and aid the healing
process. His answer? Herbs.
In my mind I gave a sigh
and thought, “Man do I miss modern medicine and Kaiser Permanente.” In the long run, I understand that this is
another cultural difference and that the people here are just making the best
of their natural resources.
- The organization I am at
strongly supports volunteerism, as they do not pay those who work there. This is unique to some of the other
organizations as those who are there actually want to be there and are willing
to take time out of their day, where they could be working elsewhere, to help.
- I recently went with
Isaac into the village to watch him complete a solar lamp installation. Isaac is one of the people responsible for
the “Light Up The Village” project. This
project is aiming to get the villages on solar lighting rather than kerosene
lamps, as these lamps are not sustainable in regard to the cost of kerosene and
it endangers ones health when used frequently.
The home we went to belonged to an elderly, married couple that until
this point had never had electricity.
Obviously. After 60 years
together, they finally got light. It was
incredible to see the smiles on their faces.
It was a bad day to forget my camera.
- Emanuel, AKA Emmy, is
the one person at the office that I unfortunately have not had a lot of
interaction with. Until yesterday. He explained to me that the reason he is not
at the office as much as he would like it is because he works full time at my
landlord’s construction company and he needs to be there to bring in money to
send his three daughters, aged 3, 6, and 12 years, to daycare and school. He was telling me that his biggest fear is
the chance of me being unhappy while in Uganda.
I told him not to fear. I
explained that being far from my family and friends is incredibly difficult but
that this experience is once in a lifetime.
He understood where I was coming from and decided to solve the problem
by offering to have me for dinner and making sure that I get everything I need
while in Uganda. For example, taking me
to the hot springs in Bushenyi to see how the locals use the water for healing
purposes, going to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and buying me gum boots (rain
boots) so I don’t have to trek through the mud in my Chacos. He dropped me off at my home after the solar
lamp installation as it was raining and as I got out he kindly reminded me that
if I ever wanted a ride somewhere or needed work done in my house to just call
him. Free of charge. Yesterday was the first real conversation I
had with Emmy and here he was offering me things left and right. This shows the true hospitability of
Ugandans.
- Today while preparing
pita bread and falafel for dinner, I met some of my neighbors. Many of the people who live in my compound
are students at Kampala International University studying medicine. I see them periodically but have not had the
opportunity to meet all of them. William
and Christina were headed to town when they came up to my window to say
hello. It was this simple introduction
that started the foundation of our friendship.
I told them a little about me, Peace Corps, and how long I will be in
Uganda for. They will be finishing their
studies during the time I will be preparing to leave Uganda for America so I am
excited to spend the next 17 months with them.
I told them that sometime in the coming weeks I want to prepare them,
and my other neighbors, an American meal.
That will be interesting…
- My house had no water
today and I was at a loss. Since moving
here I have yet to find out where a borehole is in the event that this
happens. The compound does not have a
water tank, as those are located at my landlord’s and the water is pumped to
us. Currently I have two jerry cans full
of water but it is treated water. I do
not want to use this precious water to bathe, clean dishes, or soak laundry so
I currently smell and my dishes and laundry are piling up. You never know how much you miss and value something
until it is gone.
- Found out from a fellow
PCV today that there is a coffee shop in Mbarara, the city that seems to have
everything… Indian food, the resource room with free Internet, a market with
lettuce, and my P.O. Box. I guarantee
you that the next time I pass through I will find this place. Apparently it sits at the top of a
supermarket and they also make piña coladas and mojitos. My type of coffee shop.
I think this is it. Again, my apologies for a random post. I just couldn’t seem to figure out how to tie
everything together.
Happy Friday!
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