Dry Spell

The rain has officially left the Southwest. 

The once muddy dirt roads are now made up of sand, which instantaneously turns to dust when a speeding matatu or boda drives by, thus making the ice cold shower you just took pointless. 

The collection tanks that house our precious supply of rainwater for our daily living activities slowly empty; leaving the community searching high and low as our mouths quench for hydration. 

The sun will play a game of hide and go seek behind the clouds, deceiving everyone as to what kinds of clothes to wear for the day.  Note to self: wear a short sleeve and always wear sunscreen.

When the mercury rises on the thermometers, everyone will stop their work.  Boda drivers will sleep on their motorcycles under mango trees while the women and children at the market will hide from the sunshine in their individual vendor slots. 

The quality and variety of vegetables lessen but you can always count on onions, tomatoes, and avocadoes.  You quickly learn how to incorporate these into any meal.

You pray and pray and pray for the rain to return.  You ponder under the full moon of those traditional Indian rain dances you learned about in elementary school. 

Then it comes.  The drip drop sounds on a tin roof at three in the morning. 

Those dusty roads transform into muddy swamps. 

The collection tanks fill with ease.

Your rain jacket will be your best friend and can always be found in your messenger bag or around your shoulders.

Everyone will still stop work when a storm comes because of his or her fear for rain. 

The selection of produce will increase, which you notice as the markets are a rainbow of colors… Eggplant, carrots, fresh beans, peppers of diverse colors, and watermelon. 

You have to carefully plan laundry day because clothes could take days to dry.  Worst case, they get an extra rinse from the soap you were not able to get out with your handwashing skills.

Your shoes will be coated with mud, which Ugandans will always point out as it is not smart to wear dirty shoes.

You will cross all your fingers and toes for the sun to come back and the dry season to begin yet again.

It is a vicious cycle that is Uganda.