Peace, Love and northern Uganda

While traveling on my new HERO bike, I passed a man wearing a red shirt which had a huge peace sign on it, then with a heart in the middle of it, and Africa inside the heart with Uganda highlighted. I think it should be the next t-shirt design that Upper Merion’s IC club makes and sells. But I guess that is up to the students. Plus we have some big shoes to fill because as I have worn my black shirt from this year, so many Americans over here are pretty jealous of the tshirt.
I was on the road to Laliya village when I saw the man wearing the red t-shirt. Komakech and I spent a lot of the day together and it made me very happy and very sad at the same time. It was wonderful because I went to Awere SS around noon time and we went into Gulutown together. Actually we also went with Danielle & Matt, the two other American teachers. We bought a small kerosene stove, some kerosene, and BIKES! So that is probably not a big surprise because I already told you I was riding my bike today. But it was really so wonderful to have Komakech go with us and help us get a good price on a bike. Of course everything that a Munu (white person) buys the price is typically inflated, so having Komakech there to barter was wonderful.
Actually just having an Acholi friend (larema) has meant more to me than I would have ever guessed. Yesterday I went to Awere in the middle of the day, and spent maybe an hour just siting next to Komakech in the teachers room. We just sat and talked, and spent time catching up. It was like I never left. We’ve just picked up where we left off and continued to joke around, laugh and the typical unknowingly offend one another. When he first saw me he told me that I have become fat. Which is apparently a good thing here because it means you’ve been able to feed yourself well. Typically it’s a sign of wealth. Oh, and then I was talking to him about this other teacher Nancy. Nancy works at Awere as a Biology teacher, and my friend Wendy worked with her last summer. Nancy is now pregnant, so I asked Komakech if he knew when she is due. Apparently that is not something you ask because then it applies that I think Komakech knows when the baby was conceived, or the moment of conception…which is a bad thing! Oh well…too late now. Also Wendy asked Nancy if she could touch her belly, and then all the other teachers in the staff room started to laugh real loud, as that is not something that is accepted in Acholi culture.
I traveled to Laliya (la-leah) village this evening, and I was able to visit with Komakech’s mother, aunt, sister, his two children- Ambrose & Desire, and then his million nieces; Diana, Clara, Rebecca, Sara(?), Sharon, Brenda. I got some great pictures and they all loved to look at the pictures after I had taken them. It was really fun to spend some time with Komakech and his family. I even took my water bottle with me so that I could drink some water out there and not get sick. The most fun part about that was I was able to show them my firefly light bulb on the top of my water bottle. IT was already getting dark, so the children really enjoyed turning the light on and off....on and off.
So I guess I got to be the magical American for the night. After that Komakech and I rode our bikes home. As we got to my house, Komakech asked me about something in the Gulu news awhile back how he read there was a new planet that was headed towards the Earth, and when it hits we will all die. I told him it wasn't true, but I tried to explain to him about a tidal wave, global catastrophe, etc. Then I asked him if he knew of the Dinosaurs, and he said no. I was flabbergasted! or maybe just really amazed, but it was interesting to know that in Uganda they don't know about the Dinosaurs. I told him I would find a good book and send it.
Also, we talked about Astronomy a little bit, as I showed him a few constellations. That was real exciting.
Well, it's almost time for lunch, so I must be going now. I hope you are all enjoying your summer!