Today got me thinking as I
was writing to a prospective Volunteer coming to Uganda in June.
This young woman and her
husband are weighing their options as they have found themselves in a great
neighborhood and with great jobs.
Of course their Peace
Corps invitations come at a perfect time.
I shared with them the
good, the bad, and the ugly of my 20-month experience. I wanted to paint a realistic picture and not
sugarcoat life in The Pearl, which can be easy to do.
This is not to say I did
not include the most wonderful things and surprises about this country.
For those that I forget,
please read below.
- When you have to go on
an outreach in the village and you get to travel by a USAID vehicle, fully
equipped with working air conditioning and seal belts.
- The sound of wind
rustling through the corn and sorghum fields, signaling a light 5-minute rain
during the peak of the dry, dusty season.
- When you wake up a 6:30a
to find a warm shower thanks to the sun that shined all day on your rain tank
from the day before.
- Being given soda and
biscuits in the village because you were not prepared for an all day adventure.
- Not finding gecko
droppings in your house after a nights sleep.
- Having consistent power
for 3 days.
- Being welcomed home each
night with the smiles of neighbor children and dogs waiting on your porch. Yes; dogs can smile.
- Having a friend in town
deliver a baby girl and name her Tara simple because, “You are my friend.”
Even at my most challenging
moments these hidden gems bring a smile to my face.
Hopefully to yours also.
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