Well, I'm sure I've mentioned my 3 little goat friends before, but there has been a new development in our friendship. The other day, during a short afternoon storm, I had my back door open, as usual, and in comes my three little friends to shelter from the storm. I figured they couldn't do much harm, considering my house is made completely of concrete, so I let them stay. They just wanted in out of the rain after all, and they stayed behind the open door and slept in the corner.
Not for long. After the storm was over, and their afternoon nap was taken care of, they decided to explore the premesis a bit. They wandered into the kitchen, didn't find anything interesting there, so continued on to the sitting room. Here they thouroughly enjoyed climbing on the small shelf at the bottom of my coffee table, and generally just walking anywhere they could. What a great new playground! They seemed to tire of this, and soon left out the back door they entered through.
Little did I realize they now thought of my house as their personal stomping grounds. I could hear them playing on the dirt wall behind my house, and watched a little bit through the door and window from my bed when I could see them. They disappeared from view, but I could still hear them stomping around. Soon enough, I heard a stampede, and they came tearing into the house and jumped up on the bed with me. Goats seem to have this wierd need to be at the highest point possible, like they are constantly playing king of the mountain. Well, in my house that point is my bed. So here they are, playing king of the mountain and getting dirty little goat hoof prints all over my blanket. Not only that, but Dodger, the white and black/brown one, decided this might be a good place to relieve herself. I quickly won the king of the mountain battle, and sent them on their way back out the door.
They continued to come tearing in and jump on the bed, and the black one, Artie, decided she was going to test me. Every time I tried to push her off, she would head-butt my hands. I guess that's a true sign of friendship. Silly goats.
Megan
Friday, May 9, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The Glory of Ugandan Transportation
Since I'm near a computer and have access to internet, I thought I'd write another blog. I don't have much new to say, but haven't really given y'all any hint of what getting around Uganda is like on public transportation. So I thought I'd relay some of my favorite encounters so far.
THE BUS FROM KABALE TO KAMPALA
The buses in Uganda are very similar to our greyhound or coach buses, but much older and more used. They tend to have 2 seats on one side of the aisle and 3 on the other, and often will load people until even the standing room is gone. While riding from Kabale to Kampala, a 7 hour ride on a good day, I was passing the time by reading a book when the bus pulled over for the 1700th time.
me, "what are we stopping for now?"
Scott, "I think the windshield just shattered. Didn't you hear it? He's kicking out the rest of the glass."
me, "no, are you serious?"
Scott, "yeah, see these shards of glass all over my bag? It's the windshield."
me, "oh. Neat."
Scott, "you might want to put on your sunglasses."
me, "okay."
I'm pretty sure these kinds of conversations are fairly routine on such journies.
MATATU FROM KABALE TOWN TO MY SCHOOL
I arrived at the taxi park at about 1pm for the return journey to my school. I had been told by the headmaster, who had taken me to town that day on business, that the last one would leave by 2. I figured sitting in a matatu for an hour waiting for it to fill would be okay. I should probably tell you that matatus are toyota minibuses that hold 14 passengers, 1 driver, and 1 conductor, who collects money and yells out the window for potential passengers. Often these get filled to an extra 3 to 4 people, but not on this journey. We sat in the taxi park until 3:30, at which time we drove in circles around the town to pick up more people. I thought when we had 4 people in each 3 person row we would finally be able to leave, but I was much mistaken. The taxi filled until there were 25 people, which means 3 in the front with the driver, 6 in the next 3 person row, then 5, followed by another 5 and only 4 in the last. It was the most cramped and ridiculously long time I've ever sat on a matatu. Needless to say I won't take the same one any longer.
FELLOW VOLUNTEERS RIDE FROM KABALE TO MBARARA
This PCV boarded a matatu in Kabale to ride to Mbarara. Her matatu also filled way beyond capacity, up to 21 people (there's supposed to only be 14). She was glad to finally be on the road, but her joy wasn't to last long. Outside of Kabale town her taxi was impounded by the police, and the conductor (who had already taken money from 3 passengers) denied his position. Finally after much questioning by the police, the conductor realized he was found out and made a break for it. He ran from the matatu with a policewoman hot on his heels. He however made it to freedom, disappearing into the bush to never be heard from again.
She was escorted onto a new matatu to be taken to Mbarara, and much to her chagrin, the new matatu also filled itself to 21. This one, however, made it without further incident to Mbarara, and only 5 hours after she had originally planned to be there.
So those are a few of my favorites from riding public transport in Uganda. I hope you enjoyed them, and I hope that you never complain about riding a bus in the States again.
Megan
THE BUS FROM KABALE TO KAMPALA
The buses in Uganda are very similar to our greyhound or coach buses, but much older and more used. They tend to have 2 seats on one side of the aisle and 3 on the other, and often will load people until even the standing room is gone. While riding from Kabale to Kampala, a 7 hour ride on a good day, I was passing the time by reading a book when the bus pulled over for the 1700th time.
me, "what are we stopping for now?"
Scott, "I think the windshield just shattered. Didn't you hear it? He's kicking out the rest of the glass."
me, "no, are you serious?"
Scott, "yeah, see these shards of glass all over my bag? It's the windshield."
me, "oh. Neat."
Scott, "you might want to put on your sunglasses."
me, "okay."
I'm pretty sure these kinds of conversations are fairly routine on such journies.
MATATU FROM KABALE TOWN TO MY SCHOOL
I arrived at the taxi park at about 1pm for the return journey to my school. I had been told by the headmaster, who had taken me to town that day on business, that the last one would leave by 2. I figured sitting in a matatu for an hour waiting for it to fill would be okay. I should probably tell you that matatus are toyota minibuses that hold 14 passengers, 1 driver, and 1 conductor, who collects money and yells out the window for potential passengers. Often these get filled to an extra 3 to 4 people, but not on this journey. We sat in the taxi park until 3:30, at which time we drove in circles around the town to pick up more people. I thought when we had 4 people in each 3 person row we would finally be able to leave, but I was much mistaken. The taxi filled until there were 25 people, which means 3 in the front with the driver, 6 in the next 3 person row, then 5, followed by another 5 and only 4 in the last. It was the most cramped and ridiculously long time I've ever sat on a matatu. Needless to say I won't take the same one any longer.
FELLOW VOLUNTEERS RIDE FROM KABALE TO MBARARA
This PCV boarded a matatu in Kabale to ride to Mbarara. Her matatu also filled way beyond capacity, up to 21 people (there's supposed to only be 14). She was glad to finally be on the road, but her joy wasn't to last long. Outside of Kabale town her taxi was impounded by the police, and the conductor (who had already taken money from 3 passengers) denied his position. Finally after much questioning by the police, the conductor realized he was found out and made a break for it. He ran from the matatu with a policewoman hot on his heels. He however made it to freedom, disappearing into the bush to never be heard from again.
She was escorted onto a new matatu to be taken to Mbarara, and much to her chagrin, the new matatu also filled itself to 21. This one, however, made it without further incident to Mbarara, and only 5 hours after she had originally planned to be there.
So those are a few of my favorites from riding public transport in Uganda. I hope you enjoyed them, and I hope that you never complain about riding a bus in the States again.
Megan
Friday, April 18, 2008
Settling In
Wow. It's official, I'm a Peace Corps Volunteer, since Thursday, April 10. I'm currently trying to get myself situated, and my new house in living and working order. I'm having some furniture made, and am currently in the process of trying to make the place clean and homey. We'll see how far I get on that front.
I'm also trying to get to know my new neighborhood, which mainly includes several cows and goats, who I am getting to know very well. Yesterday I met 3 brand new baby goats, and they were lots of fun. I also got to know 4 of the cows that wander past my door every day, which was interesting. Who knew they were so friendly? One of them liked me so much she wouldn't stop licking me, which is gross.
I haven't done any teaching yet, but I have started helping the other teachers to finish their grading, since term just ended for the students yesterday. I have until May 25th to prepare myself for teaching physics to secondary school students, which is a very good thing since I've never done this before. I'm looking forward to getting started on my job here, and also to doing something as new and exciting as teaching. It should be interesting.
The area I'm living in is in the southwest of Uganda, which I may have mentioned before, and is the most beautiful part of the country. Its very hilly, I guess is how I should put it, and the climate is much different than the rest of Uganda, mainly its much colder. I wasn't expecting to need sweatshirts in Africa, but there I go making assumptions again. I'm going to need to buy some warmer clothing, because believe it or not it gets to 40 degrees F sometimes. I also hadn't realized that 2 months was enough time to get used to the heat of central Uganda, but apparently I am now a wimp to the cold. I'm thinking about buying a charcoal stove just to keep my house warmer.
Well, I suppose that's enough for now. I'll post again when I get to the internet next, which could be awhile since the nearest internet cafe to my house is 12 km away. I need to get a bike...
Megan
I'm also trying to get to know my new neighborhood, which mainly includes several cows and goats, who I am getting to know very well. Yesterday I met 3 brand new baby goats, and they were lots of fun. I also got to know 4 of the cows that wander past my door every day, which was interesting. Who knew they were so friendly? One of them liked me so much she wouldn't stop licking me, which is gross.
I haven't done any teaching yet, but I have started helping the other teachers to finish their grading, since term just ended for the students yesterday. I have until May 25th to prepare myself for teaching physics to secondary school students, which is a very good thing since I've never done this before. I'm looking forward to getting started on my job here, and also to doing something as new and exciting as teaching. It should be interesting.
The area I'm living in is in the southwest of Uganda, which I may have mentioned before, and is the most beautiful part of the country. Its very hilly, I guess is how I should put it, and the climate is much different than the rest of Uganda, mainly its much colder. I wasn't expecting to need sweatshirts in Africa, but there I go making assumptions again. I'm going to need to buy some warmer clothing, because believe it or not it gets to 40 degrees F sometimes. I also hadn't realized that 2 months was enough time to get used to the heat of central Uganda, but apparently I am now a wimp to the cold. I'm thinking about buying a charcoal stove just to keep my house warmer.
Well, I suppose that's enough for now. I'll post again when I get to the internet next, which could be awhile since the nearest internet cafe to my house is 12 km away. I need to get a bike...
Megan
Saturday, March 29, 2008
From Dairy State to Dairy District
Hey all,
This is going to be quick because I've only got 3 minutes left here at the internet cafe, but I'll get in as much as I can. I'm in Mbarara on my way back to Kampala from Kabale, the district I now call home, or will after swearing-in in April.
My school is very rural, with cows and goats wandering aimlessly throughout the compound. I was sitting in the teacher's lounge, just after break tea at 11 in the morning, when a cow wonders into the doorway. I'm talking to another teacher.
me: (listening distractedly, then) there's a cow trying to come into the lounge
teacher: yes. He smells the bananas
me: oh.
These things are apparently very normal. I love it. I am a lover of animals, and I now live on my very own free-range farm. I also have a flush western toilet in my house,which I have christened Fred the Fantastic Flusher. He is the new love of my life.
Everything is going wonderfully, and only 2 weeks of training remain. Very soon, I'll be a Peace Corps Volunteer.
That's all,
bye
This is going to be quick because I've only got 3 minutes left here at the internet cafe, but I'll get in as much as I can. I'm in Mbarara on my way back to Kampala from Kabale, the district I now call home, or will after swearing-in in April.
My school is very rural, with cows and goats wandering aimlessly throughout the compound. I was sitting in the teacher's lounge, just after break tea at 11 in the morning, when a cow wonders into the doorway. I'm talking to another teacher.
me: (listening distractedly, then) there's a cow trying to come into the lounge
teacher: yes. He smells the bananas
me: oh.
These things are apparently very normal. I love it. I am a lover of animals, and I now live on my very own free-range farm. I also have a flush western toilet in my house,which I have christened Fred the Fantastic Flusher. He is the new love of my life.
Everything is going wonderfully, and only 2 weeks of training remain. Very soon, I'll be a Peace Corps Volunteer.
That's all,
bye
Saturday, March 15, 2008
A Day in the Life...
Hey all!
I know you're dying to hear from me, so I thought I'd sit down and write you a nice long blog since I am in Kampala for a bit. My daily routines have changed so much in the last month, that it's hard for me to remember what is 'normal' and what isn't back home, and what shouldn't be normal to me here. So, I thought I'd give you a narrative of my daily life here in Luweero at training.
Wake up around 6:45 am to the rooster crowing his brains out. Lovely. Push aside the mosquito net and grab my toilette paper, heading for the pit latrine. Next, return the tp, wash hands with sanitizer and grab my toothe brush and paste. Pick up my nalgene which I put boiled drinking water into the night before, and head to the concrete space next to the pit latrine where I brush my teeth. Get dressed and grab some breakfast, which generally consists of avacado, green beans, and cut up spaghetti noodles with some strange but tasty reddish sauce on them. Grab my helmet and bag and jump on my bike to head to the training center.
At the training center, its 4.5 hours in the morning and another session after lunch break. Break is about an hour, and generally I head to the little stand next to the people selling fruits/veggies and grab a rolex. This lovely creation is not a watch mind you but a tortilla with an omelette wrapped in it. The omelette usually has tomatoes and onions, but sometimes even cabbage is included! Its quite the Ugandan delicacy.
Training usually ends at 5pm, and depending on my mood for the day, I'll either play volleyball, pretend like I can do yoga, or head to Travellers, the local watering hole. When finished with any of these activities, I throw my helmet on once again and bike back home. Once home, I put on my lesu (a wrap used to walk to the outdoor shower), grab my bucket and soap (thanks Dode), and grab the jerry cans that have water in them for my 'shower', and get going on my bucket bath. I'm getting really good at it now. After my bath I take tea, which is actually boiled milk with a slight discoloration from the tealeaves that it was boiled with, and wait for dinner. This always has the lovely dish of matooke involved, which is steamed plantains (so mushy and tasteless it's criminal), gnut sauce (peanuts to you), beans, rice, cassava, potatoes, etc. Mostly starches. Occasionally we have meat with the evening meal.
After eating what I can, I take my leave of the family and head for my room, where I do some homework, or more often than not reading, by flashlight and kerosene lamp. When I'm tired enough, I lock the windows, close the curtain, and tuck in the bug net so not rats or other lovely creepy crawlies can snuggle in with me for the night. Then, the process is repeated.
Oh and for those of you were worried, I am getting very good at riding my bike in a skirt. I've only flashed the entire marketplace of Luweero once.
And I"m trying to post some pictures so you can see my experiences so far. Its not easy, but I'lls ee what I can do. For now, here's one of me from this morning in front of the sunrise, with my new haircut.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
I've Arrived!!
Hey everyone,
Sorry this took me so long to post, but I haven't had access to a computer in a while. This will be quick, because I'm running out of time here at the internet cafe, but I want y'all to know that I've arrived safely in Uganda, after a brief unscheduled detour in Brussels (our plane was delayed out of JFK and we spent 3 days there waiting for the next flight to Entebbe). I've been here in Uganda now for 2 weeks, and am enjoying myself immensely. I just came back from a visit to a currently serving volunteer, and we went to Jinja and got to explore the city a little bit (it's the headwaters of the Nile). I can't wait to go back to do some white water rafting!
Hopefully I'll get back to write another blog soon, and a longer one, but for now, that's all. Know that I'm doing really well and having a blast.
Megan
Sorry this took me so long to post, but I haven't had access to a computer in a while. This will be quick, because I'm running out of time here at the internet cafe, but I want y'all to know that I've arrived safely in Uganda, after a brief unscheduled detour in Brussels (our plane was delayed out of JFK and we spent 3 days there waiting for the next flight to Entebbe). I've been here in Uganda now for 2 weeks, and am enjoying myself immensely. I just came back from a visit to a currently serving volunteer, and we went to Jinja and got to explore the city a little bit (it's the headwaters of the Nile). I can't wait to go back to do some white water rafting!
Hopefully I'll get back to write another blog soon, and a longer one, but for now, that's all. Know that I'm doing really well and having a blast.
Megan
Monday, January 28, 2008
Preparations
Hello everybody. I am just beginning my Peace Corps adventure, and am trying to gather together everything they suggest to bring, and in only one suitcase, which is going to be a challenge. I'm a little nervous, as I leave for Philadelphia in 12 days, and from there on to Uganda. I know this will be an incredibly rewarding experience, but 2 years is a very long time.
This isn't going to be a very long post, because I haven't got much to say yet. I still don't really have a clue what I'll be doing or if I'm qualified to do it, but I know I'll figure it out and do just fine. Right now I'm worried about all the little things, like where to buy food, how to cook without electricity, where to bucket bathe, how to get my luggage from one place to another, etc.
I can't wait to meet the other volunteers who are going to be at my staging event (2 day orientation in Philadelphia prior to departure for Uganda) and in my training group in Uganda. I'm sure we'll get to know each other very well, considering we'll be experiencing something incredibly strange and new for all of us for 2 + months together during training. I'm definitely getting very sad thinking about leaving here, all my friends and family who have been so great in helping me out with getting all the gear I need, sending me off with great parties, and intending to send me care packages while I'm away. I'm very excited to see what all of you send, and you should send me regular old letters as well! I will want to know what y'all are up to. If you want my address in Uganda, please ask my mom, Charlene Bender, for it.
So let me know what you are doing, and I'll keep you posted on this site as much as I can.
This isn't going to be a very long post, because I haven't got much to say yet. I still don't really have a clue what I'll be doing or if I'm qualified to do it, but I know I'll figure it out and do just fine. Right now I'm worried about all the little things, like where to buy food, how to cook without electricity, where to bucket bathe, how to get my luggage from one place to another, etc.
I can't wait to meet the other volunteers who are going to be at my staging event (2 day orientation in Philadelphia prior to departure for Uganda) and in my training group in Uganda. I'm sure we'll get to know each other very well, considering we'll be experiencing something incredibly strange and new for all of us for 2 + months together during training. I'm definitely getting very sad thinking about leaving here, all my friends and family who have been so great in helping me out with getting all the gear I need, sending me off with great parties, and intending to send me care packages while I'm away. I'm very excited to see what all of you send, and you should send me regular old letters as well! I will want to know what y'all are up to. If you want my address in Uganda, please ask my mom, Charlene Bender, for it.
So let me know what you are doing, and I'll keep you posted on this site as much as I can.
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