Danielle Gucciardo was 23 and filled with the kind of enthusiasm and genuine sweetness that is rare at any age. I say that because there are not many people I would describe as “sweet” without that characteristic being attached to being cloying or a bit fake, but Danielle was the real deal – an old … Read more
It’s been waaaay too long since I posted, that is if you’re interested in what’s happening. If you’re getting bored with this – maybe not 😉 As I’ve said before, the odd and unusual has become the mundane, though one never completely gets used to things. Just about the time you think you’ve adapted, … Read more
A few blogs ago I mentioned that I am helping a young man go back to school. What started as an acquaintance on the street has turned into a pulling at the heart strings as I learn more about Peter and his story. So I’d like to introduce you to this young man who has … Read more
This morning dawned unexpectedly quiet…. Always a welcome event here – and rare. So beautiful was the silence that i turned off the fan and reveled in it. Constant Karaoke… Must be a new bare somewhere, but every time I woke up last night, there it was again. This morning’s silence was almost deafening by … Read more
Finally – at long last – we are actually starting the project that was attempted in 2011. A burned foot, change of Town Clerk and LABE work intervened and conspired to stall the project. And a truculent volunteer dug her heels and played the role of a power-mongering bureaucrat. Her first question when approached in … Read more
I take back everything I said about this being a “kinder, gentler” dry season. What ever relief that was rendered with the teaser of rain on Sunday (by various account – 4 drops of liquid fell from the sky and that may have been bird droppings for all I know) has been compensated for with … Read more
Funny how the universe can step up and provide the motivation or the answer or the person you need for the day. This came to me through a news letter I subscribe to and it reminded me that we often change the world in baby steps and sometimes by simply by being present and bringing … Read more
Yes – Obama! Yesterday we went Rhino Trekking at the Aiwa Rhino Sanctuary about two and a half hours south of Gulu, off the road to Kampala. The road was absolute torture even though we were riding with our friends in their very nice, Toyota SUV. Clearly these were not Peace Corps friends, though they … Read more
Awoke this morning back in Gulu, to the feeling of being back in the twilight zone. The deep bass drum of the marching band vibrated the windows had the distinctly ominous sound of a call to action. After having read in three different publications yesterday about Museveni’s threat to turn parliament over to the army … Read more
Had an interesting experience last Saturday. Gee was it really just a week ago? Why does it seem like so far back. Sometimes this feels like the land of “no-time,” or like I’m living in a time-warp. Is it 2013 yet? Here was last weeks eye-opener. When new Peace Corps Trainees arrive in country … Read more