Going to the pit latrines at night are not as bad as I imagined the experience would be. There’s really nothing scary about it. The latrines are actually lit with light bulbs inside, so you don’t need a head lamp or anything (unless there is no power). Problem is bugs are highly attracted to these lights at night, so while you’re doing your business, all you can hear is the humming of bugs flying around and around. It’s unnerving. One last piece of advice that I tell myself every time I use them: DON’T LOOK DOWN! Ok, I promise to stop writing about pit latrines… soon.
Dust dust and more dust. Sembabule is very dusty whenever it’s not raining, which coats my clothing and skin with a beautiful layer of red African dirt.
But all in all, there is something great about living here, away from the city. It’s peaceful and life is very simple. I enjoy it.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Jessica vs. Bob the Frog (Details)
When I say I did a little screaming/shrieking/talking to Bob, it went something more like this (with a touch of whining):
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM? Ok… I really would prefer not to crush your guts all over the carpet. So get the F*** out! NONONONO don’t go over there! Where did you go, Bob? WHERE THE F*** DID YOU GO?! Oh crap I lost him. Now what do I do? Ughhh I hate nature! Maybe I should keep him… he probably eats bugs. But what if he jumps onto my bed net in the middle of the night?! Or worse, what if I mess up the net and he jumps on ME? Ew. Ok, BOB, GET OUT! Move move move! Why won’t you move? I don’t want to touch you. AHHHH don’t jump on me! GET THE F*** out! Ugh where’s a stork when you need it to eat frogs. OUT OUT OUT. GET OUT! Ew I’m getting frog-ness all over my spatula. Gross. AHHH GET OUT. DON’T JUMP IN MY PURSE! Ew. Out Out Out. Oh phew… you’re out the door. BYE!”
In other words, if there had been someone standing outside my room or if the guard understood more English, it would have been fairly embarrassing. If it had been a spider or a large bug, at least I would have crushed it. But it was cute Bob… so what else could I do but scream and shoo?
An update on the bathroom situation: I’m getting much better at using pit latrines. By the time I leave, I’ll be a pro.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM? Ok… I really would prefer not to crush your guts all over the carpet. So get the F*** out! NONONONO don’t go over there! Where did you go, Bob? WHERE THE F*** DID YOU GO?! Oh crap I lost him. Now what do I do? Ughhh I hate nature! Maybe I should keep him… he probably eats bugs. But what if he jumps onto my bed net in the middle of the night?! Or worse, what if I mess up the net and he jumps on ME? Ew. Ok, BOB, GET OUT! Move move move! Why won’t you move? I don’t want to touch you. AHHHH don’t jump on me! GET THE F*** out! Ugh where’s a stork when you need it to eat frogs. OUT OUT OUT. GET OUT! Ew I’m getting frog-ness all over my spatula. Gross. AHHH GET OUT. DON’T JUMP IN MY PURSE! Ew. Out Out Out. Oh phew… you’re out the door. BYE!”
In other words, if there had been someone standing outside my room or if the guard understood more English, it would have been fairly embarrassing. If it had been a spider or a large bug, at least I would have crushed it. But it was cute Bob… so what else could I do but scream and shoo?
An update on the bathroom situation: I’m getting much better at using pit latrines. By the time I leave, I’ll be a pro.
Ugandan Issues
(Written July 22) Uganda is amazing, and I love it here. My only current issues are: bathroom use and the fact that matoke can only be eaten day after day a certain number of times.
To tackle the first issue, I’m slightly terrified to use the pit latrine for the reason that I’m petrified that I’ll miss the hole. Given, the hole is rather large and it’s not like I’m blind so I can spot myself. BUT still. And here’s the other thing, after you’ve gotten used to the porcelain throne, squatting to do your business is rather difficult. That is the one thing Americans don’t do, but the Ugandans do all the time: squat. Squat to peel plantains, squat to go to the bathroom, squat to bathe, children squat all the time. For me, after squatting for a while, my feet feel achy, my calves start to tingle, it’s not exactly the most comfortable position. But now that it’s Day 2 in Ssembabule, I’m getting a little more accustomed to it. One of my greatest fears in the world: falling into a pit latrine. You know, Slumdog Millionaire style, except that kid jumped. Just the idea gives me the heebeejeebies.
As for issue two, it is what the Ugandans call “green bananas.” As for the bananas we’re used to snacking on, those are called sweet bananas. Green bananas aren’t sweet and they are, obviously, green in color. In other words, they are plantains. One of the staples of the Ugandan diet is boiled/steamed and mushed bananas. Matoke. It really has no flavor and is always paired with meat, vegetables and/or g-nut sauce. To make it, you peel a bunch of green bananas, stick it in a pot, throw in some water, and boil. Tada. Eventually the bananas get soft, turn yellow, and get mushed together. It’s rather dense, so I can only ever eat so much. It’s pretty good. I just don’t exactly love it as a meal everyday.
Children look at me and either smile and wave OR they just stare. The young ones especially stare. Yesterday, I’m pretty sure this little girl was about to cry. The ladies around me were laughing, telling me she has never seen anyone so pale. Since I’m in such a remote area (the words of Ugandans, not me), I am one of not very many foreigners. I hear there’s one Peace Corps volunteer that works here, but I haven’t seen her yet. I haven’t seen any mzungus for 2 days now.
Well, off I go to start a day of work (this was written on my computer early in the morning but posted later). Next time you go to the bathroom, be thankful that your toilet flushes.
To tackle the first issue, I’m slightly terrified to use the pit latrine for the reason that I’m petrified that I’ll miss the hole. Given, the hole is rather large and it’s not like I’m blind so I can spot myself. BUT still. And here’s the other thing, after you’ve gotten used to the porcelain throne, squatting to do your business is rather difficult. That is the one thing Americans don’t do, but the Ugandans do all the time: squat. Squat to peel plantains, squat to go to the bathroom, squat to bathe, children squat all the time. For me, after squatting for a while, my feet feel achy, my calves start to tingle, it’s not exactly the most comfortable position. But now that it’s Day 2 in Ssembabule, I’m getting a little more accustomed to it. One of my greatest fears in the world: falling into a pit latrine. You know, Slumdog Millionaire style, except that kid jumped. Just the idea gives me the heebeejeebies.
As for issue two, it is what the Ugandans call “green bananas.” As for the bananas we’re used to snacking on, those are called sweet bananas. Green bananas aren’t sweet and they are, obviously, green in color. In other words, they are plantains. One of the staples of the Ugandan diet is boiled/steamed and mushed bananas. Matoke. It really has no flavor and is always paired with meat, vegetables and/or g-nut sauce. To make it, you peel a bunch of green bananas, stick it in a pot, throw in some water, and boil. Tada. Eventually the bananas get soft, turn yellow, and get mushed together. It’s rather dense, so I can only ever eat so much. It’s pretty good. I just don’t exactly love it as a meal everyday.
Children look at me and either smile and wave OR they just stare. The young ones especially stare. Yesterday, I’m pretty sure this little girl was about to cry. The ladies around me were laughing, telling me she has never seen anyone so pale. Since I’m in such a remote area (the words of Ugandans, not me), I am one of not very many foreigners. I hear there’s one Peace Corps volunteer that works here, but I haven’t seen her yet. I haven’t seen any mzungus for 2 days now.
Well, off I go to start a day of work (this was written on my computer early in the morning but posted later). Next time you go to the bathroom, be thankful that your toilet flushes.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Entebbe, more adventures
In order to meet my friends this morning (1 UW student, a Dutch guy, and some others), I had to meet them at the university... how to get there? Ohhhhhhh maybe a boda boda? Today's thought process went something like this:
Dear God, I'm going to do this again. Ok. Slow down. AHHHHHHHHHHHH! Ooooof! Bump! POT HOLE! SLOW DOWN!!! OMG we're going 60 km/hr!!! Dude, if I fly off this bike, it's going to hurt. I wonder what it would look like to have my body smashed all over the road. Maybe if I fall off now, it won't hurt as much. Ow my arm hurts from hanging onto the back of this bike so hard. OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG! CAN'T. WATCH. There is a bee flying around your head, driver. And I can't let go to do anything about it. Please don't sting me. Thank you, we're here.
Boda adventure numero 2: successful.
I am so freaking clean from that pool swim. Soaked all the red dirt out from my skin. AND there was a warm shower with good water pressure to rinse off in afterward. Fantastic! Best $5 I've spent in UG so far. Note to self: do this if you ever need a good shower.
Dear God, I'm going to do this again. Ok. Slow down. AHHHHHHHHHHHH! Ooooof! Bump! POT HOLE! SLOW DOWN!!! OMG we're going 60 km/hr!!! Dude, if I fly off this bike, it's going to hurt. I wonder what it would look like to have my body smashed all over the road. Maybe if I fall off now, it won't hurt as much. Ow my arm hurts from hanging onto the back of this bike so hard. OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG! CAN'T. WATCH. There is a bee flying around your head, driver. And I can't let go to do anything about it. Please don't sting me. Thank you, we're here.
Boda adventure numero 2: successful.
I am so freaking clean from that pool swim. Soaked all the red dirt out from my skin. AND there was a warm shower with good water pressure to rinse off in afterward. Fantastic! Best $5 I've spent in UG so far. Note to self: do this if you ever need a good shower.
Friday, July 16, 2010
K'la adventures, the other version
In addendum to my other blog's post, I thought I would provide some Jess commentary:
First, I almost burned myself on the boda's exhaust pipe. I felt the heat and jumped really quick. Oops! My thoughts while on the boda went something like this:
AHHHHH!! I'MGOINGTODIE! OMGOMGOMGOMG! OMGSLOWDOWN! We are wayyy to close to that car. Oh crap, you started again too fast. I almost flew off the back. OMG. TRUUUUUUUUUUCK!!! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!! WAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! YIKESSS!! OOOF! OUCH! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! OMG WE'RE GOING TO DIE!! Please drive on the right side of the road (aka the left side)!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH!! OH THANK GOD I'M HERE.
And I survived. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
My bowel movements are so normal, it's awesome! Sooo unlike last time.
MOSQUITOS SUCK! My 2 bites are so itchy!!!!!!!! I would cut my toe off right now if it would stop itching.
First, I almost burned myself on the boda's exhaust pipe. I felt the heat and jumped really quick. Oops! My thoughts while on the boda went something like this:
AHHHHH!! I'MGOINGTODIE! OMGOMGOMGOMG! OMGSLOWDOWN! We are wayyy to close to that car. Oh crap, you started again too fast. I almost flew off the back. OMG. TRUUUUUUUUUUCK!!! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!! WAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! YIKESSS!! OOOF! OUCH! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! OMG WE'RE GOING TO DIE!! Please drive on the right side of the road (aka the left side)!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH!! OH THANK GOD I'M HERE.
And I survived. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
My bowel movements are so normal, it's awesome! Sooo unlike last time.
MOSQUITOS SUCK! My 2 bites are so itchy!!!!!!!! I would cut my toe off right now if it would stop itching.
Mmm Mefloquine
So I'm takin mefloquine as malaria prophalyaxis. It's supposed to make you have very vivid dreams. Well my dream last night involved me running this ultimate race in Africa, carrying a watermelon, and herding llamas. How bizarre is that?! I thought it was pretty funny and strange to wake up to.
So it's Friday. I've been in Africa a week. And it's all about bombs now. Rumor has it that they found another bomb that didn't go off yesterday in the new taxi park. Yikes! So we shall see what develops with all the bombs.
So it's Friday. I've been in Africa a week. And it's all about bombs now. Rumor has it that they found another bomb that didn't go off yesterday in the new taxi park. Yikes! So we shall see what develops with all the bombs.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
3 Americans, a Dutchman, and a Canadian
That's what ended up being at the dinner table tonight. I met up with a UW student and his friends in Kampala. It was great fun to be around people my own age, drinking a Nile Special, eating some protein for once. The steak at Tuhende Safari Lodge on Martin Rd- fantastic!!! It made my boring day 10x better. European men and their accents... fantastic!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Day 4
Senseless death has caused great turmoil for the organization i came to work for in Uganda. So here I sit, waiting for the next move. My heart goes out to the family and his coworkers who are all grieving.
I am learning to squat like the best of them, aka squatting in a tub in order to use a bucket to bathe. It's pretty funny. I can only imagine what I really look like when I do this. My hair has been cut short so it's way easier to wash now. I'm getting more used to having short hair, but I do miss it and thank god hair grows. The house I'm staying at has a flushable toilet, which is pretty awesome, considering I hadn't had one for a while.
Here I sit, just finished the first Charlaine Harris novel that True Blood is based on and now I'm watching True Blood in Africa. It's kind of bizarre. There is such a split between those with money and those who don't. I guess I should try to appreciate the comforts I have for now since once I move out into the field, it won't be so much like this. Definitely no toilet that flushes.
Making friends in Africa- rather difficult since I'm a little secluded right now. But I did meet a rather cute Scottish med student on at the Ugandan airport. He got picked up by the same driver as I did. We chatted in the matatu and he seemed really cool. We talked about traveling around Uganda together and such... problem was that there is no way for either of us to communicate. No phone, no internet. But can I just say... Scottish accent? Hoooooot.
I am learning to squat like the best of them, aka squatting in a tub in order to use a bucket to bathe. It's pretty funny. I can only imagine what I really look like when I do this. My hair has been cut short so it's way easier to wash now. I'm getting more used to having short hair, but I do miss it and thank god hair grows. The house I'm staying at has a flushable toilet, which is pretty awesome, considering I hadn't had one for a while.
Here I sit, just finished the first Charlaine Harris novel that True Blood is based on and now I'm watching True Blood in Africa. It's kind of bizarre. There is such a split between those with money and those who don't. I guess I should try to appreciate the comforts I have for now since once I move out into the field, it won't be so much like this. Definitely no toilet that flushes.
Making friends in Africa- rather difficult since I'm a little secluded right now. But I did meet a rather cute Scottish med student on at the Ugandan airport. He got picked up by the same driver as I did. We chatted in the matatu and he seemed really cool. We talked about traveling around Uganda together and such... problem was that there is no way for either of us to communicate. No phone, no internet. But can I just say... Scottish accent? Hoooooot.
Monday, July 12, 2010
WELCOME TO AFRICA
Hello bombing and chaos. Things are crazy here. It is such a tragedy and my heart goes out to all those families who lost people in the bombing. I'm a little at a loss of what to do. I'm just sitting in the office, listening to the country director of my org on the phone. Pretty helpless.
I had posts made up in my head for the blog and was going to write once I had internet access... but now I really have nothing to say...
Here's a side note, I cut all my hair off for locks of love. Bye bye hair!!! It's a very bizarre feeling. My hair hasn't been this short since before freshman year!!! If the internet weren't so slow, I'd upload a pic.
I had posts made up in my head for the blog and was going to write once I had internet access... but now I really have nothing to say...
Here's a side note, I cut all my hair off for locks of love. Bye bye hair!!! It's a very bizarre feeling. My hair hasn't been this short since before freshman year!!! If the internet weren't so slow, I'd upload a pic.
Friday, July 9, 2010
I'm so tired...
So I'm off... here I sit in the airport. quick thoughts: I'm tired and it makes me nauseous. I really hate airplane food. I really think airline seats should be bigger, even economy class. I'll see you in Africa
Thursday, July 8, 2010
LEAAAVING ON A JET PLANE
TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am freaking out a bit. Lots and lots of packing. Lots and lots of junk to put into very small spaces. It's kinda like that last minute panic of "OMG I'm naked" or "OMG I overslept and missed that exam" or "OMG WHO ARE YOU?!?!" I feel like I'm forgetting something. I know I am. I've also been sucked into the vortex of home while I've been back in Wisconsin, aka being a homebody and hanging out with my family. I've barely seen anyone while I've been in the Midwest. But have no fear. I will return... when there is snow on the ground.
And yes, I will try to keep this updated along with the other "official" one. As always, side commentary and inappropriateness will be reserved for my fun side.
Here's a side note, genuine thoughts I've had all day and yes, you are allowed to make a joke on whichever ones you choose:
No
My bag is as big as I am... pictures will be forthcoming.
Why am I doing this again? I kind of like hot showers.
WOOHOO Africa!
Where did I put ________?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Followed up with a: @#)($**&a$mp;^)(*@#!
That doesn't fit... oh shoot...
This thing is WICKED heavy.
Why are things so hard!
How is that going to fit in there?
MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!! (or in Midwest speak: MAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHM!)
What if my flight was today?!
Am I really leaving tomorrow?
I will miss you all! Hot water, clean water, the porcelain god, a/c, clean hair... AND all the people I'm leaving back in the USA.
Monday, July 5, 2010
More ideas...
I really need some help, people... So more ideas on naming a new blog?
Learning Luganda
Away I Go
JC Journeys
XOXO from Abroad
Adventures of ____________________
I don't know... my creative juices are dying
Learning Luganda
Away I Go
JC Journeys
XOXO from Abroad
Adventures of ____________________
I don't know... my creative juices are dying
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