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.

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!

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.

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'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

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 condoms necessary to be packed.
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.

CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See you on the other side of the Atlantic! (We'll see if I get an entry in while in Amsterdam)

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