I got an e-mail from a friend this morning that said ” I have given deep thought to your tenure with the PC and have come to a conclusion. You are *#!*##! nuts.” Well now, I reported that that conclusion had been reached years ago and that he should “keep up.”
That should read, joy in a box store – as in Uchumi. Uchumi is the closest thing there is here to a department store – kind of a mini-walmart. OK, I know what you’re going to say… but let me tell you, it was positively orgasmic walking in. It’s
OK – a new adventure everyday here. Today we (my supervisor and I) went to check out the progress on the house and found them painting, replacing window locks, installing wire mesh over the open wall vents that every Ugandan house has, etc. The screens are a big deal because
I cherish the first bit of hope I have felt since arriving in Gulu and Hallelujah the light at the end of the tunnel is not a train! Peace Corps Medical has agreed to fund a motel room for a few days to get me away from the fumes that
I’ve been in Gulu two weeks now and it seems an eternity. I’m a fairly resilient person and have dealt with a number of challenges rather decently in my life. But some sneak up on you through the tiny little crack in the back door – or in this case
Seems the news of Obama sending troops to deal with the LRA in Uganda has created quite a stir and caused some alarm. Having had a son in Iraq, I know how news in the US papers causes alarm for loved ones abroad – when you’re not on the ground
Lordy the smoke is thick tonight – there is always something burning: plastic, goat hide, something… But tonight is improved by that fact that I managed spaghetti in the few minutes of electricity and discovered gas has arrived!!! I paid, got a receipt and will have a real honest-to-goodness functional
TGIF – don’t know why that would make a particular difference, but it does. It means I have a weekend to be with friends, not feel guilty about not being productive (still learning the ropes at the organization) and get hand laundry done. Amazing how fast things get dirty here
Today was an interesting day – I went in a bit late because I was told everyone would be busy readying for a meeting with the funders and I would meet-and-greet. So I dressed accordingly, though by the time I tried to iron my clothes the electricity was off again,
Red dust is the prevailing characteristic of this place. I’m sorry, but it’s the most ubiquitous of characteristics. Some places in Africa have Baboons (we passed some stealing fruit from a fruit stand after crossing the Nile), some have tea plantations (west near the Rwenzori mountains), some have exotic animals.
Finally! Today was the swearing in ceremony held at the home of the Charge d’Affairs for the Ambassador to Uganda. With best friends, Bill, Holly and Betty: we made it. Beautiful setting, moving ceremony and we are celebrating tonight. Moving to Gulu town tomorrow early and trading out my internet
So it rained heavily last night (no surprise there – it IS the rainy season), making the hike into the training site especially fun – waist high grass and deep mud, punctuated by foot-deep puddles, cow pies, ornery cows and chomping goats along the trail. One volunteer was lifted off