Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Uganda my new home
Uganda home sweet home.
9-1-2010
The other day I said to my new friend Chelsea that I had to go home early. Yikes we looked at each other and laughed HOME yup this is my new home Uganda I am officially a Uganda citizen on visa of course
I would like to apologize right off the bat for the wording. I am trying to learn Luganda so they speak English differently. For example Eat dinner now translates to I would like to eat dinner in an hour.
You come from where- what is your home town. Yes I know a little confusing for me number one because I am already dyslexic and that just makes my English even worse.
How Am I, I am great. It is month one of 27 months and life is good. Finally getting into a routine at the homestay. I have a new Uganda mom and dad. They are both teachers in Kampala they are a wonderful smart couple. I don't really see the dad a whole lot, but that is normally I find amongst most cultures no matter where I am in the world. He is a wonderful dad when he is around the children just want to be with their Tattaa( daddy). He came home earlier the other day with g-nuts and ice cream which is rare because no one has a refrigerator so it was a real treat for them. Mamma Janet has three wonderful children Harriet the 7 year old is so great she always is at my side, the 3 year old boy I have yet to figure his name out but I will soon he is a little shy of me which is typical, but he is a hand full. He is super cute cause whenever he gets yelled at he sticks his thumb in this mouth. Which is really funny for me cause I too sucked my thumb until the age of well.... let just leave it at that, but it is distinguishing habit especially here in Uganda were there is no running water and I have yet to see him wash his hands. Sorry mom I should of listened to you a long time ago it's funny that it took me half way across the world to figure that out.
Over all he is a typical three year old. I can see for Janet typical three year old always bugging someone or causing trouble. the 1 ½ year old Hasidim cries a lot but is very spoiled. They are all wonderful children it is neat to see some of the same cultural aspects for families here like I do back home. It really is interesting living with this family cause there are a lot of similarity I have noticed. The kids were all screaming about whatever and Mamma Janet turns to me and says I wish I could just leave and leave them crying I just laughed and said you are so normal Janet and we both laughed. we are all they same inside just do things a little differently.
There is also a house girl which is typical for each family or house were both parents work. She comes over early in the morning cleans watches the children, cooks and then leaves at 8:00 p.m she also has a three year old don't know her name or the daughters name cause you just don't converse with the house girl. I would like to but need to brush up on my Luganda.
I get up have a bucket bathe and that’s exactly what is does sound like. I get a bucket, a flask of hot water and cold water then proceed to bathe myself down in a concrete stall. At 6:30 every morning. Oh but wait I forgot to tell you that I use the pit latrine first yup no running water or toilet at Mamma Janet house which is every typically for all Uganda The consumption of water that is used in toilets is ridiculous and if they had that much water they would use it for something else. So yes the pit latrine was scary at first but once you figure it out its become so normal. A few reminders to possible visitors always bring tp and be careful of your stance some people aim's is not always the same or what you think it should be.
Ok so after my bucket bath picking a outfit which is usually a skirt and an now an over sketched t-shirt from the gap. No one in Uganda has or even uses a mirror. Its a little weird cause I never really know from head to toe what I look like. If you tell a Uganda that they look nice or a pretty they will flat out say no I am not and if you keep telling them they will still say no. To be pretty is consider conceited. So they are not big on breakfast here well at least the places I had been to for breakfast time. Usually it consists of tea and Nescafe coffee which is absolutely awful so I have been making my Starbucks viva last as long as possible but only have a couple left so if any one want to mail anything good coffee, a good coffee grinder non electrical and of course a plastic not glass coffee press.
Then two pieces of bread usually not toasted and maybe an egg boiled or some people fry. Oh yea big deal here no one uses CHEESE you can't even find it in Waskio and when you do find it in Kampala it is any where from 10,000 to I’ve seen Brie for 90,000 mind you it is 2,200 to the dollar here but Peace corps only gives you 35,000 a week so cheese is low end of the shopping list.
After breakfast it's off to my 25 min walk to training.
9-1-2010
The other day I said to my new friend Chelsea that I had to go home early. Yikes we looked at each other and laughed HOME yup this is my new home Uganda I am officially a Uganda citizen on visa of course
I would like to apologize right off the bat for the wording. I am trying to learn Luganda so they speak English differently. For example Eat dinner now translates to I would like to eat dinner in an hour.
You come from where- what is your home town. Yes I know a little confusing for me number one because I am already dyslexic and that just makes my English even worse.
How Am I, I am great. It is month one of 27 months and life is good. Finally getting into a routine at the homestay. I have a new Uganda mom and dad. They are both teachers in Kampala they are a wonderful smart couple. I don't really see the dad a whole lot, but that is normally I find amongst most cultures no matter where I am in the world. He is a wonderful dad when he is around the children just want to be with their Tattaa( daddy). He came home earlier the other day with g-nuts and ice cream which is rare because no one has a refrigerator so it was a real treat for them. Mamma Janet has three wonderful children Harriet the 7 year old is so great she always is at my side, the 3 year old boy I have yet to figure his name out but I will soon he is a little shy of me which is typical, but he is a hand full. He is super cute cause whenever he gets yelled at he sticks his thumb in this mouth. Which is really funny for me cause I too sucked my thumb until the age of well.... let just leave it at that, but it is distinguishing habit especially here in Uganda were there is no running water and I have yet to see him wash his hands. Sorry mom I should of listened to you a long time ago it's funny that it took me half way across the world to figure that out.
Over all he is a typical three year old. I can see for Janet typical three year old always bugging someone or causing trouble. the 1 ½ year old Hasidim cries a lot but is very spoiled. They are all wonderful children it is neat to see some of the same cultural aspects for families here like I do back home. It really is interesting living with this family cause there are a lot of similarity I have noticed. The kids were all screaming about whatever and Mamma Janet turns to me and says I wish I could just leave and leave them crying I just laughed and said you are so normal Janet and we both laughed. we are all they same inside just do things a little differently.
There is also a house girl which is typical for each family or house were both parents work. She comes over early in the morning cleans watches the children, cooks and then leaves at 8:00 p.m she also has a three year old don't know her name or the daughters name cause you just don't converse with the house girl. I would like to but need to brush up on my Luganda.
I get up have a bucket bathe and that’s exactly what is does sound like. I get a bucket, a flask of hot water and cold water then proceed to bathe myself down in a concrete stall. At 6:30 every morning. Oh but wait I forgot to tell you that I use the pit latrine first yup no running water or toilet at Mamma Janet house which is every typically for all Uganda The consumption of water that is used in toilets is ridiculous and if they had that much water they would use it for something else. So yes the pit latrine was scary at first but once you figure it out its become so normal. A few reminders to possible visitors always bring tp and be careful of your stance some people aim's is not always the same or what you think it should be.
Ok so after my bucket bath picking a outfit which is usually a skirt and an now an over sketched t-shirt from the gap. No one in Uganda has or even uses a mirror. Its a little weird cause I never really know from head to toe what I look like. If you tell a Uganda that they look nice or a pretty they will flat out say no I am not and if you keep telling them they will still say no. To be pretty is consider conceited. So they are not big on breakfast here well at least the places I had been to for breakfast time. Usually it consists of tea and Nescafe coffee which is absolutely awful so I have been making my Starbucks viva last as long as possible but only have a couple left so if any one want to mail anything good coffee, a good coffee grinder non electrical and of course a plastic not glass coffee press.
Then two pieces of bread usually not toasted and maybe an egg boiled or some people fry. Oh yea big deal here no one uses CHEESE you can't even find it in Waskio and when you do find it in Kampala it is any where from 10,000 to I’ve seen Brie for 90,000 mind you it is 2,200 to the dollar here but Peace corps only gives you 35,000 a week so cheese is low end of the shopping list.
After breakfast it's off to my 25 min walk to training.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Things I didn't know about uganda cluture
Things I didn't know about uganda cluture
1.You will be called a mzungui= white person, by every little kid on the street no matter what time of day some even proceed to flow you and shout Mzungi mzungi.
2. The chicken gizzard is for the guest. YUMMMY
3. You can not ask a pregnant woman when she is due. Only the father of the baby should ask. Plus there is a superstition that if someone knows one's due date that person could cast a spell on the mother. Opps happen only once and will never do it again.
4. Washing your undergarments by another person, Opps again I went to a laundrymatt in Waskio town and told the man at the counter how much and he proceeded to give me a cost of 10, 000 shillings and I noticed my 15 pairs of underwear were more expensive than my jeans. In a hurry to go I said ok. After speaking with a local Uganda friend he explained that if someone finds out that they washed your undergarments they will be ridiculed and lose respect and self esteem. OPPPS won't do that again.
5. When you explain to a Uganda that you are lost that means I have not seen you for a while.
6. Its too sweet means= It is delicious and will give you more.
7. I have been in my home stay for a couple of weeks and the 1 ½ yr old does not wear diappers they are way to expensive so when the baby has to pee it just pee's yeah learned that one the hard way too.
8. Women here do everything, wash, work, take care of babies, garden, clean ect... I don't really see men doing much of anything.
9. There are three types of marriage, Civil Law marriage, basic marriage just means no paper work. And Polygamy yup that’s right a lot of Uganda have multiple wives. Never in the same home and usually not spoken about. It gets very confusing on who is who.
10. Everyone tries to dress very nice business casual. There is no real gender specific clothes either. You will see some men wear women clothes and shoes. Men wear pink and love it.
11. Watch out for Bododas( motorcycles) they do not care if you are in the street and will clip you if you are not paying attention.
12. Matooke every single night gets old quick. Matook is a banana plant like that they steam all day and it taste like paste unless you put some type of sauce on it, but uganda loves it.
13. NO child safety laws. Children ride on the back of bododas all the time. No car seats have not seen a single one and they don't know what I am talking about. So far a child’s favorite toy is the unkoko ( chicken ) or the plastic bag they found in the trash, they make kites and some younger one just put in mouth. You rarely seen children toys.
1.You will be called a mzungui= white person, by every little kid on the street no matter what time of day some even proceed to flow you and shout Mzungi mzungi.
2. The chicken gizzard is for the guest. YUMMMY
3. You can not ask a pregnant woman when she is due. Only the father of the baby should ask. Plus there is a superstition that if someone knows one's due date that person could cast a spell on the mother. Opps happen only once and will never do it again.
4. Washing your undergarments by another person, Opps again I went to a laundrymatt in Waskio town and told the man at the counter how much and he proceeded to give me a cost of 10, 000 shillings and I noticed my 15 pairs of underwear were more expensive than my jeans. In a hurry to go I said ok. After speaking with a local Uganda friend he explained that if someone finds out that they washed your undergarments they will be ridiculed and lose respect and self esteem. OPPPS won't do that again.
5. When you explain to a Uganda that you are lost that means I have not seen you for a while.
6. Its too sweet means= It is delicious and will give you more.
7. I have been in my home stay for a couple of weeks and the 1 ½ yr old does not wear diappers they are way to expensive so when the baby has to pee it just pee's yeah learned that one the hard way too.
8. Women here do everything, wash, work, take care of babies, garden, clean ect... I don't really see men doing much of anything.
9. There are three types of marriage, Civil Law marriage, basic marriage just means no paper work. And Polygamy yup that’s right a lot of Uganda have multiple wives. Never in the same home and usually not spoken about. It gets very confusing on who is who.
10. Everyone tries to dress very nice business casual. There is no real gender specific clothes either. You will see some men wear women clothes and shoes. Men wear pink and love it.
11. Watch out for Bododas( motorcycles) they do not care if you are in the street and will clip you if you are not paying attention.
12. Matooke every single night gets old quick. Matook is a banana plant like that they steam all day and it taste like paste unless you put some type of sauce on it, but uganda loves it.
13. NO child safety laws. Children ride on the back of bododas all the time. No car seats have not seen a single one and they don't know what I am talking about. So far a child’s favorite toy is the unkoko ( chicken ) or the plastic bag they found in the trash, they make kites and some younger one just put in mouth. You rarely seen children toys.
Friday, August 27, 2010
August 27, 2010
It has been a bumpy ride but I'm in it to win it. I new Peace Corps was going to have it's upps and downs. I was sick the first two days at leswa then was sick then again yesterday, but they Peace Corps really takes good care of you. I mean REALLY good care. Nothing serious just the usually stomach stuff.
I absoutly love all my traniees at ROCO and the staff here is really great. The food is ok. "NO more maatooke" as we all say. Which matooke is a bannana like plant that is cooked all day then served like smashed potatoes. The food here is always the same so I am looking foward to getting to site and making my own food. But i am going to take training one day at a time then start thinking about Site. Which will be located somewhere in Central Uganda.
I have a beautiful walk to school every morning where little children proceed to yell MZungU Mzungu which translates to white person. Everyone is very nice and interested what the big group of Mzungu's are up to everyday. There is a total of 45 of us in CHED. Community Health and economic development the trainings are intense but overall very good to know. My Lugandan is coming along slowly,but my professor Herbert say's i just need to practice practice i understand what is being said i just need to practice.
Everyday I am blessed to be apart of the Peace Corps and everyday I wake up excited to be apart of this wonderful country.
Love from Africa
I absoutly love all my traniees at ROCO and the staff here is really great. The food is ok. "NO more maatooke" as we all say. Which matooke is a bannana like plant that is cooked all day then served like smashed potatoes. The food here is always the same so I am looking foward to getting to site and making my own food. But i am going to take training one day at a time then start thinking about Site. Which will be located somewhere in Central Uganda.
I have a beautiful walk to school every morning where little children proceed to yell MZungU Mzungu which translates to white person. Everyone is very nice and interested what the big group of Mzungu's are up to everyday. There is a total of 45 of us in CHED. Community Health and economic development the trainings are intense but overall very good to know. My Lugandan is coming along slowly,but my professor Herbert say's i just need to practice practice i understand what is being said i just need to practice.
Everyday I am blessed to be apart of the Peace Corps and everyday I wake up excited to be apart of this wonderful country.
Love from Africa
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Packing Mania
Packing Mania
Ok so I went to REI and bought:
Water Bladder : platypus Big zip SL 3.0 L 100 oz
Portal water bottle: platypus .5 l bpa free sans spa
Sleeping bag: Tactel t’s sack 55+ nitro
Two discovery trekking wicking towel www.wickingtowel.com
One pair of Keen Madrid Maryjane shoe’s
One Niteize s-biner 75lbs, 25lbs and 10lbs not for climbing binder.
One gear aid explorer repair kit for my Jade 40 Gregory green Hiking Bag.
As Far as clothing IDK.
Friends or Family you can see what I need at Target Ann Pasquinelly Peace Corps List.
Yes that’s right I registered what I needed at Target figure all the help I can get will be helpful.
Other than that I really need to get on the ball and start thinking practical minimal and useful.
Anyone out there in Uganda let me know.
San Diego is fun and exciting it’s nice to be here with my sister and her family. Being able to spend quality time with them as well as helping them move into their new TREE HOUSE lol.
So as of right now I will be back in Toledo July 6th and leave for Texas for the NCLR conference July 9th then back to San diego then back to Toledo then off to UGANDA. This month is going to fly by.
My main concern is not packing but to make sure I spend quality time with my loved one oh yea and practicing my Language lessons.
Goodnight and thanks for reading.
Ok so I went to REI and bought:
Water Bladder : platypus Big zip SL 3.0 L 100 oz
Portal water bottle: platypus .5 l bpa free sans spa
Sleeping bag: Tactel t’s sack 55+ nitro
Two discovery trekking wicking towel www.wickingtowel.com
One pair of Keen Madrid Maryjane shoe’s
One Niteize s-biner 75lbs, 25lbs and 10lbs not for climbing binder.
One gear aid explorer repair kit for my Jade 40 Gregory green Hiking Bag.
As Far as clothing IDK.
Friends or Family you can see what I need at Target Ann Pasquinelly Peace Corps List.
Yes that’s right I registered what I needed at Target figure all the help I can get will be helpful.
Other than that I really need to get on the ball and start thinking practical minimal and useful.
Anyone out there in Uganda let me know.
San Diego is fun and exciting it’s nice to be here with my sister and her family. Being able to spend quality time with them as well as helping them move into their new TREE HOUSE lol.
So as of right now I will be back in Toledo July 6th and leave for Texas for the NCLR conference July 9th then back to San diego then back to Toledo then off to UGANDA. This month is going to fly by.
My main concern is not packing but to make sure I spend quality time with my loved one oh yea and practicing my Language lessons.
Goodnight and thanks for reading.
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