Back to school, back to school, to prove to Dad I'm not a fool... so the wise Billy Madison once said. Third term has begun and I'm teaching my senior ones math once again. They always enjoy the beginning of the term because I hand out the candy and prizes for doing well on the exams from the previous term. It's kind of a bribe for my kids to keep liking me and continue to listen when I speak to them. So far its working...
I missed a few days of teaching due to getting stuck in Kampala during the riots over the Kabaka's (King of the Baganda) visit to Kayunga, but otherwise things are going well. I'm getting used to being back in Uganda, and used to teaching again. Not a whole lot is new, I'm still trying to train Spencer to behave properly, and now the new puppy Elf too, and living on a farm is always interesting. We have two new calves and two more on the way, which is always exciting. I also recently removed two little lizards from inhabiting my bathroom and dirty dishes basin. While I do enjoy lizards due to their bug eating habit, I don't enjoy them crawling around my bathroom while I"m bathing (or other bathroom duties) and I don't enjoy running into them while I'm cleaning my dishes. But luckily lizards aren't poisonous and these ones didn't even try to bite me as I removed them with my bare hands (I'm incredibly brave if you didn't know that about me, considering they were less than an inch long).
Again it may be a while before I write another blog, simply because my weekends are now going to be spent trying to apply to graduate school, which could be interesting considering the amount of computer time and internet access I have. Oh well. You'll hear from me again soon.
Peace
Friday, September 25, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Back In the UG
Hey everyone,
I'm back in Uganda, safe and sound after 4 hours of car travel, 12 hours of bus travel, and 16 hours of plane travel, not including layovers and just plain waiting around. It was a lovely journey I can tell you, and my ankles won't go back to their normal size for weeks. I'm lucky I didn't get deep vein thrombosis. I'm not sure exactly what that is, but the airline cards in the seat pockets warn you about it, so don't you worry, I did plenty of ankle stretches to prevent it from happening.
That's all I got for now, cause I'm tired and want to sleep, but rest assured that I have returned safely and will get back to saving the world in short order.
cheers
I'm back in Uganda, safe and sound after 4 hours of car travel, 12 hours of bus travel, and 16 hours of plane travel, not including layovers and just plain waiting around. It was a lovely journey I can tell you, and my ankles won't go back to their normal size for weeks. I'm lucky I didn't get deep vein thrombosis. I'm not sure exactly what that is, but the airline cards in the seat pockets warn you about it, so don't you worry, I did plenty of ankle stretches to prevent it from happening.
That's all I got for now, cause I'm tired and want to sleep, but rest assured that I have returned safely and will get back to saving the world in short order.
cheers
Friday, July 24, 2009
Impulse Buys
We've all done it. Picked up that last minute candy bar, ice cold soda, trashy gossip magazine at the check-out counter in the supermarket. I love impulse buys. They're fun and always unneccessary. Here in Uganda, specifically Kabale for me, the impulse buys are a little different.
Last time I was at the supermarket, my impulse buy was the delicious looking new brand of peanut butter, which had caramel crunchies embedded throughout the peannutty goodness. It was a successful purchase, although I'll gain about 20 pounds if I buy it any more, because I ate a jar in about 2 days.
The time before that it was the pretzels I saw for the very first time here in this country, and was so excited I couldn't stop myself. I bought 3 bags. I shared them, and they got old because they were flavored which was wierd, and I haven't bought them since, but it was a fun time and I enjoyed the purchase.
The lastest impulse has been different even for my standards. A boy came to the back yard of my and my neighbors house last week with a chicken. I saw the chicken and couldn't help myself, I wanted to buy it. They're only about 10,000/= ($5.00) for a whole live chicken, and let's face it, everyone's got one. I see them in the buses, crowding the overhead luggage compartments. On the floor of the taxi's under the seats, pecking at my feet. Tied to the tops of sedans in packs of 30 or more. Laying out front of stores with their feet tied, they're everywhere (ubiquitous, GRE word, look it up) and I wanted one too. I inquired with my neighbor as to whether or not the chicken the boy was jabbering over was for sale, but alas, no. He had found it wandering around and was looking for it's owner, not trying to sell it.
It's probably a good thing, because I really don't need impulse buys that squawk, eat my dogs food, and shit all over my floor.
Last time I was at the supermarket, my impulse buy was the delicious looking new brand of peanut butter, which had caramel crunchies embedded throughout the peannutty goodness. It was a successful purchase, although I'll gain about 20 pounds if I buy it any more, because I ate a jar in about 2 days.
The time before that it was the pretzels I saw for the very first time here in this country, and was so excited I couldn't stop myself. I bought 3 bags. I shared them, and they got old because they were flavored which was wierd, and I haven't bought them since, but it was a fun time and I enjoyed the purchase.
The lastest impulse has been different even for my standards. A boy came to the back yard of my and my neighbors house last week with a chicken. I saw the chicken and couldn't help myself, I wanted to buy it. They're only about 10,000/= ($5.00) for a whole live chicken, and let's face it, everyone's got one. I see them in the buses, crowding the overhead luggage compartments. On the floor of the taxi's under the seats, pecking at my feet. Tied to the tops of sedans in packs of 30 or more. Laying out front of stores with their feet tied, they're everywhere (ubiquitous, GRE word, look it up) and I wanted one too. I inquired with my neighbor as to whether or not the chicken the boy was jabbering over was for sale, but alas, no. He had found it wandering around and was looking for it's owner, not trying to sell it.
It's probably a good thing, because I really don't need impulse buys that squawk, eat my dogs food, and shit all over my floor.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Sand and Sun
Oh the Sese Islands. What a wierd and wonderful little place. It's an island chain in Lake Victoria, and well worth a visit, even if you have to let your comfort bubble be invaded a little bit in order to get there.
It's nothing too different from normal travel around Uganda, the usual hassles are involved; obnoxious conductors, overcrowded taxis that stop every few minutes, hot buses with lots of smelly exhaust, etc. But there are some new and wonderful things to deal with once you reach the shores of Lake Victoria.
The boats that travel like water taxis to all of the islands are large and cannot come all the way to the shore, and are anchored probably 20 to 40 feet away from the waterline. To get to these boats you have to hire a porter, which I didn't really understand until I got there meant a human porter to porter you from the shore to the boat. Oh how I love being carried by Ugandan men, especially since they are quite unafraid to tell you just how heavy you are. But they are strong and reliable, and could even carry my ass along with my backpack, no easy feat I assure you.
So after that embarrassment, I'm finally in the boat with those going as well, and we get to ride about 3 hours to reach our island. It would be a nice and beautiful ride, except you can't see over the sides of the boat, and so stare at the wooden sides of the boat, trying not to think about what would happen if that patch over there started to leak heavily and also avoiding thinking about how sore your butt's going to be after riding on these wooden benches.
But despite all of the problems, the trip was totally worth it (including the 7 hour bus ride to get to Kampala prior to the taxis, etc. to get to the boat). The island was amazing and relaxing, and I enjoyed the 4th of July weekend sitting around a bonfire, so besides the lack of explosive fireworks, it felt rather like home. And then 6 am Sunday morning rolls around, and I have to repeat the entire traveling process again...
Oh well. That's life (in Uganda).
Cheers
It's nothing too different from normal travel around Uganda, the usual hassles are involved; obnoxious conductors, overcrowded taxis that stop every few minutes, hot buses with lots of smelly exhaust, etc. But there are some new and wonderful things to deal with once you reach the shores of Lake Victoria.
The boats that travel like water taxis to all of the islands are large and cannot come all the way to the shore, and are anchored probably 20 to 40 feet away from the waterline. To get to these boats you have to hire a porter, which I didn't really understand until I got there meant a human porter to porter you from the shore to the boat. Oh how I love being carried by Ugandan men, especially since they are quite unafraid to tell you just how heavy you are. But they are strong and reliable, and could even carry my ass along with my backpack, no easy feat I assure you.
So after that embarrassment, I'm finally in the boat with those going as well, and we get to ride about 3 hours to reach our island. It would be a nice and beautiful ride, except you can't see over the sides of the boat, and so stare at the wooden sides of the boat, trying not to think about what would happen if that patch over there started to leak heavily and also avoiding thinking about how sore your butt's going to be after riding on these wooden benches.
But despite all of the problems, the trip was totally worth it (including the 7 hour bus ride to get to Kampala prior to the taxis, etc. to get to the boat). The island was amazing and relaxing, and I enjoyed the 4th of July weekend sitting around a bonfire, so besides the lack of explosive fireworks, it felt rather like home. And then 6 am Sunday morning rolls around, and I have to repeat the entire traveling process again...
Oh well. That's life (in Uganda).
Cheers
Friday, July 3, 2009
Mama I'm Coming Home!
But only for a visit, don't worry. I just like those words because they are immortal words spoken by the wise Ozzy Osbourne. Times have changed, and times are strange, etc.
The ticket is bought, the vacation request is approved (I believe) and I'm making my plans. I'm keeping it fairly open, but I know for certain I have to do the following things:
1. Eat good pizza.
2. Have a burrito
3. Eat bread that isn't stale
4. Drive a car
5. Bake something
6. Use fast internet
7. See my dog
8. Drink some GOOD Wisconsin tap beer
9. Oh, and I guess I'll have to put in an appearance with my friends too.
You get the picture. I'm pretty excited, but I hope I don't say too many strange Uganda-isms while I'm there. Just look at me strangely when I say something funny, and preferably make a comment, and I'll get back to normal quickly.
I arrive in Madison the evening of the 14th of August and am leaving the 31st. So get ready, and prepare yourselves. I know you all can't wait to see me.
Peace
The ticket is bought, the vacation request is approved (I believe) and I'm making my plans. I'm keeping it fairly open, but I know for certain I have to do the following things:
1. Eat good pizza.
2. Have a burrito
3. Eat bread that isn't stale
4. Drive a car
5. Bake something
6. Use fast internet
7. See my dog
8. Drink some GOOD Wisconsin tap beer
9. Oh, and I guess I'll have to put in an appearance with my friends too.
You get the picture. I'm pretty excited, but I hope I don't say too many strange Uganda-isms while I'm there. Just look at me strangely when I say something funny, and preferably make a comment, and I'll get back to normal quickly.
I arrive in Madison the evening of the 14th of August and am leaving the 31st. So get ready, and prepare yourselves. I know you all can't wait to see me.
Peace
Friday, May 29, 2009
I Got Wheels!
Hello Everybody!
I hope all is well in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. I just wanted to write a blog since it's been a couple of weeks and to let everyone know that I finally bought a bicycle. I've been debating about it for about a year now, but finally a volunteer near me just decided she wasn't riding her bicycle enough and that she would sell it to me, so I finally did it.
I've been riding around the village a bit, and am learning that while I assumed the roads were not hilly because walking small hills is not difficult, hauling your ass up those same hills on a bike isn't so easy. And then there's the going down the other side part of it. This is incredibly scary for me, because my roads are not what you would call smooth. They are made of packed dirt and have many potholes and rocks all over the place. So cruising down a hill at a speed faster than the cars go is incredibly frightening, although don't any of you worry, I always wear my helmet. It makes me look really good too.
I'm working up my strength on the bike so that hopefully I can ride all the way to Kisiizi Falls (16k) on it to use internet and possibly do some good vegetable shopping. That could take awhile though. I might be able to make it that far by the time Casey gets here in 2010. That would be good though too, because then I can ride my bike to visit her.
Well, that's pretty short, but it's all I got for now. Keep me in your hearts and minds, hopefully picturing me in my lovely bike helmet cruising crazy downhill slopes or puffing on the uphill side. It's a pretty picture, I know.
Nothin but love for ya.
I hope all is well in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. I just wanted to write a blog since it's been a couple of weeks and to let everyone know that I finally bought a bicycle. I've been debating about it for about a year now, but finally a volunteer near me just decided she wasn't riding her bicycle enough and that she would sell it to me, so I finally did it.
I've been riding around the village a bit, and am learning that while I assumed the roads were not hilly because walking small hills is not difficult, hauling your ass up those same hills on a bike isn't so easy. And then there's the going down the other side part of it. This is incredibly scary for me, because my roads are not what you would call smooth. They are made of packed dirt and have many potholes and rocks all over the place. So cruising down a hill at a speed faster than the cars go is incredibly frightening, although don't any of you worry, I always wear my helmet. It makes me look really good too.
I'm working up my strength on the bike so that hopefully I can ride all the way to Kisiizi Falls (16k) on it to use internet and possibly do some good vegetable shopping. That could take awhile though. I might be able to make it that far by the time Casey gets here in 2010. That would be good though too, because then I can ride my bike to visit her.
Well, that's pretty short, but it's all I got for now. Keep me in your hearts and minds, hopefully picturing me in my lovely bike helmet cruising crazy downhill slopes or puffing on the uphill side. It's a pretty picture, I know.
Nothin but love for ya.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
18 Hours From Home...
Hey everyone,
Sorry it's been so long since my last blog, but internet is being stubborn in Kabale, and I haven't been able to access it long enough to complete one. But not I'm in Soroti, which is in eastern Uganda, visiting the other volunteers who are on the completely opposite side of the country from where I live, approximately 18 hours by bus if you wanted to go straight from one to the other. Uganda is such a small country, but apparently it takes forever to cross it.
Here is quite different from Kabale, as it is hot and dry and very dusty. Right now I am the color of the roads because I'm so gross and dirty, but hopefully that will change after I bathe a bit later today. You never know though, because this dirt is pretty tricky, and can stick with you for days or even weeks.
I just was in Kampala this week for our midservice conference, which marks one year of our Peace Corps service. It's an exciting landmark, and now I feel like our group is on the downhill slide of this thing and very soon we'll be finished. It's crazy, I never thought I would feel like my time here was short, but 2 years goes incredibly fast when ... well I'm not exactly sure why the 2 years is going fast, but I'm reading a lot of books and learning how to sit still and stare at the wall for hours at a time. Silences being awkward? Doesn't exist here.
Anyway, I've been hogging another volunteer's computer for awhile now, and its time to pass it on and share with others. See mom? I did learn something from you.
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