11-6-06
This is pretty random and is not meant to portray a negative experience here. It is what it is. Life in Uganda is definitely no vacation. At times it does feel like a vacation from the ‘American lifestyle’. Which is good and what I want…. This list is my observations of those differences and my experience as of yet.
Topics I have yet to write about due to lack of time and exhaustion:
1. Group dynamics
2. Taking care of self vs. group bonding
3. The money situation
4. scheduled days of training vs. independent lifestyle of the volunteer
5. Language learning, hitting a brick wall in my mind, having a rusted file cabinet in the far reaches of an overflowing warehouse (my brain)
6. Interests and preference in economic development aspects of Community Health.
7. PEPFAR the funding source
8. Meeting lots of people in the international development/aid professions.
9. What would it be like to return to the academic scene? Finish a degree, start a new or go vocational/experiential ~
10. Learning more bout the role of the Embassy and how fortunate we are to be Americans – the higher class feel.
11. Ugandans very polite – saying “yes please” for many responses.
12. How Ugandans treat cats and dogs – defiantly not pets.
13. Muzungu, Muzungu, Muzungu!!!!!! Meaning ‘white person’ shouted at you from random people and children chanting it as you pass. Doesn’t bother me too much as of yet. Ugandans say it is a term of ‘endearment’.
14. Herds of Cows with big horns on the road. Randomly foraging.
15. The BBC vs. CNN
16. Singing, dancing and drumming performances as a welcome for guest.
17. Breakfast, morning tea, Lunch, evening tea then Dinner! Non-stop eating.
18. Carbs, Carbs, Carbs – oh, and they are all starch too. Matoke, potatoes, rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, millet, squash, beans. At least two different starches are served at every meal. My body craves protein – peanuts seems to be the most prevalent form available.
19. HIV/Aids and the impact across the country. Meeting and hearing people’s individual stories.
20. Malaria as prevalent as the ‘common cold’. And, people’s perceptions.
21. My Runyooro name = Abowli. It is one of the 12 different ‘pet names’ given in people who live in western Uganda.
22. My relationship with my iPod and my laptop.
23. Ugandan bikes ‘Hero’ vs. the traditional mountain bike. Riding sidesaddle on a bicycle taxi.
24. The pit latrine and bucket bathing areas.
25. “short calls” and “long calls” = number 1 and number 2
26. Life at the home stay. Family dynamics, cooking on a charcoal stove, cutting and peeling vegetables in the hand, boiling, re-boiling then re-re-boiling milk, meat and any left overs through out the day as a form of preservation. No refrigeration. Simplicity and no wasted food.
27. Anxiously awaiting the end of training and getting settled in my new community and new home.
28. Meeting my new supervisor for the first time. His name is Emili – he seems very organized and straightforward. Somewhat ‘western’. Good vibes.
29. My partner organization Emesco Development Foundation. My basic info assumes they do agricultural development and micro finance (loans for small businesses). Pretty excited – this seems like a good fit, right up my alley.
30. Many country music stations in Uganda. Classic American Country Western.
31. The call of the Mosque during the night and day.
32. Conservative ‘smart’ dressing.
33. Cell phone and text messaging culture of communication.
34. All day Sunday washing, drying and ironing clothes. Use of charcoal iron.
35. Decorating my room at the home stay with map of Michigan, Alaska and Uganda.
36. Mephaquin dreaming. This is the malaria prophylaxis and causes vivid dreaming as one of the side effects.
37. Never having to wear socks! What a sexy Chaco tan I have on my feet~
38. Having a never-ending supply of Vitamin D. Being deficient in Alaska. What a difference.
39. Watching episodes of ’24’ here on TV. Flash back to American culture.
40. Irregular and unreliable mail. Some letters take 10 days others 20 days. Some boxes never arrive L Packages in padded envelopes are best – plus mark Air Mail.
41. Motion sickness and Kampala chaos.
I think of you all back in the states often. My home stay family really enjoys seeing pictures of family and friends I have in my album and on the laptop. The short videos I made over the summer are a big hit. The photos and videos are one of the things that keep me sane and remind me of the people I love. If you happen to have any hard photos or a CD with many photos or videos on it – I would love to receive them! It is so encouraging receiving mail. Any current or returned Peace Corps Volunteer will tell you…..getting mail can really make your week/month during the highs and lows of this two years of service.
Carrie May
Peace Corps
PO Box 29348
Kampala, Uganda
