Thursday was Uganda's Independence Day. So, no school and lots of celebrations. I spent the day with three of the teachers who stayed around, John, Abraham, and Morris. In the morning we took a walk into the village, a neighbor had slaughtered a bull and so we went to buy some meat. We came back and I headed home for a bit, relaxing in my hammock and reading. Then the wife of one of the local government officials sent her son with gifts for me! She sent me a basket of oranges, a tin of rice, 4 eggs, and a chicken for celebrating the day. Saying thank you is just not sufficient for those big gifts, I'm continually amazed of all the giving that happens on a daily basis.
So in the afternoon I was invited to have lunch with the three teachers, eating the meat they bought earlier. I took my gifts of food I had just received to share with them and offer something to the meal. It was a feast, complete with fried pork....so so goood!! After that they had been invited to a celebration out in the community and asked me to go along with them. John said he would carry me on the back of his bike and Abraham carried Morris on his...so off we went! It was about a 30 min bike ride, deep into the bush. When we got there they were setting up a small generator they had to play huge speakers and blast some music! It was just the family and then us. We all sat around the big pot of ajon (local beer) with everyone sharing from the six large tubes. They provided me with bottled beer, and every time I finished one, another bottle suddenly appeared. Trouble, let me tell you! When it started to get dark they wanted to do introductions. So everyone had to stand and say who they are and what they are doing. After we all went around, I was asked to give a little speech again. I cannot escape from giving speeches, even at burials (it's happened twice). After that we went back the music except now the older woman was requesting that I dance with her. We'd been there for a few hours and a few beers, so I had no hesitations getting up and getting my groove on with her. After that the rest of the family got up and danced with me and then the older man managed to get in a slow dance with me. Meanwhile, the teachers are sitting there laughing. Then out of nowhere a man appeared with a camera and before I knew it, each member of the family wanted a picture with me. I'm all hot and sweaty, not to mention the few beers. I cringe to think what those pictures must look like. But I had a great time. We left around 9, right before the storm started. I was on the back of John's bike (thank goodness I didn't bike...no drinking and biking!) and he was biking like there was no tomorrow...it was also starting to rain. We left Abraham and Morris far behind...I have yet to see them, I'm assuming they made it back! haha. John dropped me off at school and ran home and into my house right before the downpour! And then I immediately fell asleep. Needless to say, it was a rough morning. But it was a good independence day! And somehow the celebration went up to today, since there were only about 50 children at school, out of over 900. So, I jumped on a taxi and headed to town for the day. It will be another short week again. On Monday I am going to a wedding that I was invited to, and then at the end of the week I am off to Kampala for a Peace Corps workshop.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Twins, dance, and another drink gone...
Another Monday and I'm spending the day in town! I've been at site for awhile so it was time to spend the day elsewhere. But last week was not so bad. Teaching HIV/AIDS to primary six girls was good--we played some games and talked about different issues. This week I'm teaching the rest of the p.6 girls and then next week it's on to the boys!
Yesterday I went to the hospital to visit one of the teachers in my school who just had a baby. We were in the maternity ward and I can't remember ever seeing so many newborn babies. I went with some of the teachers and girls at school. When I first saw the baby, I said, hey he looks like me! Actually I'm darker than that baby! I think they definitely get cuter after a couple weeks. So they were all talking about giving birth and I'm just sitting there and apparently I had a "scared" look on my face. So they all began teasing me and then Silver said he's going to start praying that I get twins. I immediately said, Silver! don't you dare! And he laughed and said, you will call me one day and tell me that you are having twins. That's not something I want to think about right now, especially after spending all day in the maternity ward at the hospital. Not to mention, earlier this week I was in a taxi and we had to pull over because the woman behind me went into labour because we were hitting so many bumps. I'm surrounded by pregnant women. I think they were 20 in church yesterday...no joke.
Saturday was a great day. In the morning I went to Kumi to check my mail and I had a package from my sister with new music!! I spent the rest of the day in my house rockin out. It was perfect because it rained alllll day, so it was my excuse to stay in and write letters, listen to music, and have some alone time. Although, I did have people coming to my house to hang out and see if I was okay. Alone time is nonexistent here, if you're spending time alone, something must be wrong. However, I try and tell people I need it for my mental well-being! And then last night I had my own little dance party for 2 hours. Just me, my ipod, my candles, and the mosquitoes. I danced until my legs hurt and then I collapsed in bed, read awhile, and fell asleep. A good night. I must say, I really enjoy hanging out with myself, whether I'm cleaning (yes, I know, cleaning!), cooking (an even bigger shock), and doing some work in my house...it takes my mind off of everything and a good way to just be...if you know what I mean :)
Thursday is Uganda's Independence Day, I don't have any plans, maybe I'll spend the day at the pool? Or just hang out at site. I'll see what the Soroti gang is up to today. But most of the teachers are going to their villages so not many people will be around at home. I've got some work to do anyways, starting a poultry project, working with the married couples' group, and teaching the teachers computers...which is always a good time.
I have also been watching movies with all the children in the orphanage. When the group of Americans came in June they brought a projector so we've been showing some movies. We watched The Chronicles of Narnia this week (without sound) and the children loved it. They were cheering and yelling at the end, we had a good time!
And before I sign off on this blog...I would just like to tell you about what just happened. Adam and I were sitting at a table outside, having a cold beverage, when a man comes walking up to us and saying, etenge etenge (hungry hungry). Adam and I just shake our heads no so then the man proceeds to grab my drink (beer) off the table and starts running to the street and then throws it against the pavement...he didn't even drink it. All I managed to yell was, "hey! I wasn't finished with that!" Then we looked at each other and said, ok, it's time to go.
Yesterday I went to the hospital to visit one of the teachers in my school who just had a baby. We were in the maternity ward and I can't remember ever seeing so many newborn babies. I went with some of the teachers and girls at school. When I first saw the baby, I said, hey he looks like me! Actually I'm darker than that baby! I think they definitely get cuter after a couple weeks. So they were all talking about giving birth and I'm just sitting there and apparently I had a "scared" look on my face. So they all began teasing me and then Silver said he's going to start praying that I get twins. I immediately said, Silver! don't you dare! And he laughed and said, you will call me one day and tell me that you are having twins. That's not something I want to think about right now, especially after spending all day in the maternity ward at the hospital. Not to mention, earlier this week I was in a taxi and we had to pull over because the woman behind me went into labour because we were hitting so many bumps. I'm surrounded by pregnant women. I think they were 20 in church yesterday...no joke.
Saturday was a great day. In the morning I went to Kumi to check my mail and I had a package from my sister with new music!! I spent the rest of the day in my house rockin out. It was perfect because it rained alllll day, so it was my excuse to stay in and write letters, listen to music, and have some alone time. Although, I did have people coming to my house to hang out and see if I was okay. Alone time is nonexistent here, if you're spending time alone, something must be wrong. However, I try and tell people I need it for my mental well-being! And then last night I had my own little dance party for 2 hours. Just me, my ipod, my candles, and the mosquitoes. I danced until my legs hurt and then I collapsed in bed, read awhile, and fell asleep. A good night. I must say, I really enjoy hanging out with myself, whether I'm cleaning (yes, I know, cleaning!), cooking (an even bigger shock), and doing some work in my house...it takes my mind off of everything and a good way to just be...if you know what I mean :)
Thursday is Uganda's Independence Day, I don't have any plans, maybe I'll spend the day at the pool? Or just hang out at site. I'll see what the Soroti gang is up to today. But most of the teachers are going to their villages so not many people will be around at home. I've got some work to do anyways, starting a poultry project, working with the married couples' group, and teaching the teachers computers...which is always a good time.
I have also been watching movies with all the children in the orphanage. When the group of Americans came in June they brought a projector so we've been showing some movies. We watched The Chronicles of Narnia this week (without sound) and the children loved it. They were cheering and yelling at the end, we had a good time!
And before I sign off on this blog...I would just like to tell you about what just happened. Adam and I were sitting at a table outside, having a cold beverage, when a man comes walking up to us and saying, etenge etenge (hungry hungry). Adam and I just shake our heads no so then the man proceeds to grab my drink (beer) off the table and starts running to the street and then throws it against the pavement...he didn't even drink it. All I managed to yell was, "hey! I wasn't finished with that!" Then we looked at each other and said, ok, it's time to go.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
