Early morning here. This one is quiet – oh so blissfully quiet. The rainy season does that. Since I was able to sleep without earplugs last night, I can awaken to these subtle sounds as slow drips become a soft patter on the tin roof. Jenna (housemate) is away and the young PCV who was … Read more
It’s been one of those “interesting” days. Just about the time the unusual (hauling water, living by candle light, smacking white ants, flushing with bath water…) becomes usual, something comes along that tweaks the senses – or the sensibilities. A little of both drifted by today. The first came after picking up a package at … Read more
“We have a mouse,” the text from my housemate says…. “Have you named it?” I reply. “Skid.” “Did you or did he – skid, that is?” I asked. At the time I was half-way through my first solo bus ride back to Gulu. I mention “solo” because I had been dreading this – we all dread travel. … Read more
It finally happened… after a pretty decent day yesterday which started with a hike across town for a Cappuccino and an apple tart (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) my trusty Mac (called a dinosaur by some – its being a 2008 version) was put on life support today and has rallied with a cable transplant … Read more
Everything around here is just different – even things that would appear somehow the same – as in the language, which is English, but different somehow. Even the word somehow takes on meaning that is uniquely Ugandan – meanings almost, about, the-same-but-not-really, sometime, maybe, your-guess-is-as-good-as-mine, makes-no-sense etc. So everyday, there’s a bit of something that just … Read more
Well that’s not entirely true…. there IS water, sometime, but it has been cause for some minor panic. “Water is finished – again,” as they say and we are back to hauling it in. At one point, there was even a run on drinking water sold in the ubiquitous plastic bottles. When we couldn’t … Read more
Some days not much happens here – and that would be a plus. Everyone, including supervisors has been in a pissy mood because of the heat. A friend mentioned to me that I talk a lot about what is happening over here, but not much about how I FEEL. Well, that’s complicated – and because … Read more
There are many of these around – and that tells you something. Here’s another based on first hand experience… Thanks to fellow PCVs – you get a broader perspective 😉 Read it and weep, laugh and wonder, “Just how nuts do you have to be to do this?” Well – as Jimmy Buffett … Read more
Aaaaah – Gulu Town. I remember this. Hot, dusty, noisy, dirty – but temporarily “home” nevertheless. Most of us have left the surrounds of IST and points in between and have returned “home.” Climbed on a Homeland Bus this morning and landed a decent seat thanks to another PCV who called ahead and reserved! … Read more
“I speak Acholi a little…” And at least well enough to pass the second round of testing. It was about as badly handled as something like that can be – our language trainers being the only bright spot in an otherwise dark journey. The whole remaining group of 40 (one more has been Medically … Read more