Slowly by Slowly

I have made my final big move in Uganda.

I am officially a resident of the big city of Kampala.

I deeply miss the vast flatlands of Kitgum, the smiles of the familiar faces, finding green peppers that are not overly ripe, and living the simple life by candlelight.

I now have to readjust in the city that never somehow never sleeps

There are busy, paved streets where bodas and matatus are constantly honking to make a pass, the electricity seems to be pretty steady, allowing the bars to play sports games into the early hours, and a myriad of restaurants showcasing cuisines from around the world.

This is something that does not surprise me as I have been in Kampala before for trainings, meetings, and medical appointments.  Although I have often times felt guilty for indulging in these common amenities.  Read more here: A Tale of Two Cities.

But now that I live here, it feels as if I am experiencing everything on a completely different level.

This new dweller arrived six days ago.  I got dropped at my new house, which is bigger than my home sweet home on the corner back in Novato.  I had seen the place before, so that was not so much a shock.

BUT STILL…

Walk into a completely tiled house with love seats, couches, a dining room set, a kitchen with two refrigerators, not mini size but not full size (fun size!), and a stove/oven combo.

Oh and a second floor.

Now my room is a simple, non-tiled, room just behind the main house.  It is what you would consider staff quarters.  I have access to the whole house and have definitely taken up some space in the refrigerator to keep my Starbuck’s VIA cold.

Here is the even more crazy part… A four-minute walk away is an Italian Supermarket with essentially everything. 

My mouth hit the floor when I stepped inside.

I have bought cucumbers, lettuce, and even Greek yogurt.  I already have a shopping list for cilantro, chicken, cheese, and eggplant, among others.

As I walked in a dazed and confused state back to the house, I recalled on the days in Kitgum where I would venture down to the one room supermarket in hopes of finding balsamic vinegar and tuna packed in water.

These items that I once yearned for now reside around the corner.

For the first two nights I was in shock.

Culture shock in a culture that I thought I had assimilated into.

I think my time left in Uganda and Kampala will help with my much-anticipated return to the States and all the readjusting that waits.

As we say in Uganda, “slowly by slowly.”

Note about night three: As I read my Nook with the comfort of electricity overhead, I heard bats and rats up in the ceiling and knew that even with all the comforts in Uganda, some things will never change.