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!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thursday the 27th of June
Apwoyo Dugo! (Welcome Back!) I am officially back in Gulu, and it is great. We arrived just before dinner on Wednesday, and when we got here Doreen had this amazing meal ready for us, with chipati (like Indian flat bread) and guacamolê. Doreen is the Acholi woman who cooks all of our food, or at least all the food at the IC volunteer house. She's amazing! We then just hung out for most of the rest of the night.
From the moment I arrived, I wanted to run over to Awere SS and see the teachers and students I worked with last year. Unfortunately we didn’t get here until 6pm, thus school had been over for awhile. So John (the American Giant) and I walked over there for Morning Assembly. It was amazing. It was so great walking up to Awere. Watching students start to assemble around the school, and they raised the Ugandan Flag. It just brought back some good memories. The only down side was that Komakech was not there at school during the assembly.
Last year when I went to school for the first week, Komakech would always say that we would meet at school at 9am. So I started to come to school by 9 am, but Komakech would never show up until 10:30am. When I showed up this morning, I basically knew that I would not see him. I was actually lucky enough to go by the school later today, and I did get to see Komakech. It was so great to be at Awere S.S. again.
Then I went into town, and helped to show some new teachers around Gulu. It was real exciting, and real busy. Gulutown has really exploded in the past year. I cannot believe how many white SUV’s were driving around Gulu…and tons of BodaBoda drivers. It was just so so busy! It’s really exciting to see how there are many new buildings, tons more traffic, and a new Internet Café. Which is where I am right now, and that makes me really happy!
Tomorrow I will be meeting my teacher at a big party we are having at Kope (copay) Café. It’s a restaurant that my friend (and fellow Gulu resident) Jamie has helped to start here in Gulu. Then I will be in Gulu until Monday morning, which is when we will travel out to Pabo (pa-bow) for the week. Pabo on the weekdays and Gulu on the weekends.
I'm excited to travel out to Pabo, especially hearing the nice accommodations we will have out there. Apparently we will each get our own room, and a double bed! I'm not sure what that is really going to be like, other than a large mosquito net. We have a latrine that is only for our use, with a key and all. Who would have thought that you'd have to keep people out of a little shack with a really smelly hole in the ground?
We have more workshops and lectures to sit through during the day before our par-ty tonight. Sometimes it's been pretty boring sitting through those because they are really similar from last year. Anyway, I must be going now! Hope you are all enjoying June!
From the moment I arrived, I wanted to run over to Awere SS and see the teachers and students I worked with last year. Unfortunately we didn’t get here until 6pm, thus school had been over for awhile. So John (the American Giant) and I walked over there for Morning Assembly. It was amazing. It was so great walking up to Awere. Watching students start to assemble around the school, and they raised the Ugandan Flag. It just brought back some good memories. The only down side was that Komakech was not there at school during the assembly.
Last year when I went to school for the first week, Komakech would always say that we would meet at school at 9am. So I started to come to school by 9 am, but Komakech would never show up until 10:30am. When I showed up this morning, I basically knew that I would not see him. I was actually lucky enough to go by the school later today, and I did get to see Komakech. It was so great to be at Awere S.S. again.
Then I went into town, and helped to show some new teachers around Gulu. It was real exciting, and real busy. Gulutown has really exploded in the past year. I cannot believe how many white SUV’s were driving around Gulu…and tons of BodaBoda drivers. It was just so so busy! It’s really exciting to see how there are many new buildings, tons more traffic, and a new Internet Café. Which is where I am right now, and that makes me really happy!
Tomorrow I will be meeting my teacher at a big party we are having at Kope (copay) Café. It’s a restaurant that my friend (and fellow Gulu resident) Jamie has helped to start here in Gulu. Then I will be in Gulu until Monday morning, which is when we will travel out to Pabo (pa-bow) for the week. Pabo on the weekdays and Gulu on the weekends.
I'm excited to travel out to Pabo, especially hearing the nice accommodations we will have out there. Apparently we will each get our own room, and a double bed! I'm not sure what that is really going to be like, other than a large mosquito net. We have a latrine that is only for our use, with a key and all. Who would have thought that you'd have to keep people out of a little shack with a really smelly hole in the ground?
We have more workshops and lectures to sit through during the day before our par-ty tonight. Sometimes it's been pretty boring sitting through those because they are really similar from last year. Anyway, I must be going now! Hope you are all enjoying June!
Monday, June 23, 2008
We've arrived at our hostel
Today we took the shorter of the two flights, from Dubai to Entebbe. It was really exciting to arrive again in Uganda. I instantly recognized the smell of Uganda…and although it isn’t always the nicest smell, it was ironically a welcoming smell. Almost like a definite affirmation that I was finally back in Uganda.
Right now I am in the hostel that we stayed at last year. It’s a pretty sweet set-up. And really by pretty sweet, I mean comforting and familiar. Tonight will be my first night under a mosquito net…and that will last until the end of July.
We had a little orientation tonight, and our whole group (of 19 teachers!) orientation ended, Amy (Teacher Ex. Director) talked to the 5 of us staying at two different Internally Displaced Persons camps. I am going to be at Pabo IDP with Danielle and Matt M. Danielle went last year as well, and this is Matt’s first year. I’m excited to be spending the majority of the trip with them, and living in the camp.
I also got to meet up with a Ugandan family from Philadelphia. I met a family in Philly, (Paul, Drucilla, and their three daughters- Peace, Joy, and Grace). It was fun to meet up with them here in Uganda, even though we didn't really have much time to spend with one another because we are going up to Gulu in just a short 36 hours.
So far, it sounds like we actually have the nicest set up…which is big news to me. We are going to be staying at a place called “The White House”, and the three of us will each get our own rooms. This is extremely unusual, as I shared my room with 5 other females last year. We have our own cook, and another woman who will do our laundry (by hand) for us. I’m excited to get up to Gulu on Wednesday.
We played Mafia tonight, which brought back some good memories of high school. It was also a good time to get to know one another. Although, since we didn’t really know each other, it was really hard to tell who was lying...which I think made it more fun.
It is getting late, so that's it for now. I'll try to post more in a few days.
Right now I am in the hostel that we stayed at last year. It’s a pretty sweet set-up. And really by pretty sweet, I mean comforting and familiar. Tonight will be my first night under a mosquito net…and that will last until the end of July.
We had a little orientation tonight, and our whole group (of 19 teachers!) orientation ended, Amy (Teacher Ex. Director) talked to the 5 of us staying at two different Internally Displaced Persons camps. I am going to be at Pabo IDP with Danielle and Matt M. Danielle went last year as well, and this is Matt’s first year. I’m excited to be spending the majority of the trip with them, and living in the camp.
I also got to meet up with a Ugandan family from Philadelphia. I met a family in Philly, (Paul, Drucilla, and their three daughters- Peace, Joy, and Grace). It was fun to meet up with them here in Uganda, even though we didn't really have much time to spend with one another because we are going up to Gulu in just a short 36 hours.
So far, it sounds like we actually have the nicest set up…which is big news to me. We are going to be staying at a place called “The White House”, and the three of us will each get our own rooms. This is extremely unusual, as I shared my room with 5 other females last year. We have our own cook, and another woman who will do our laundry (by hand) for us. I’m excited to get up to Gulu on Wednesday.
We played Mafia tonight, which brought back some good memories of high school. It was also a good time to get to know one another. Although, since we didn’t really know each other, it was really hard to tell who was lying...which I think made it more fun.
It is getting late, so that's it for now. I'll try to post more in a few days.
Monday Afternoon in Dubai
I have arrived safely in Dubai. It’s been a good trip so far. Really the worst part was that I was in a middle seat on the flight from JFK to Dubai. So I had a hard time sleeping, or at least my neck kept cramping up. But we each have our own private TV’s on the back of the seat in front of us…so I watched one movie (and yes I stayed awake!). Then I put Friends on, and slept through countless episodes. We got two meals served to us…and they were good…not amazing, not awful.
Once we arrived to Dubai we basically just went to our hotel, and then headed to the Dubai mall. At the mall (probably about the size of both KOP malls in one building) they have an indoor ski place. So 5 of us bit the bullet, and went skiing in the desert. The ‘mountain’ actually changed steepness, almost like a real mountain. There was ‘real’ man-made snow, and we even rode the ski lift up to the top. The best was the fire exit door at the top of the ‘mountain’. That was hilarious.
They are really crazy about safety at the ski place. We weren’t allowed to ride the lift without putting the safety bar down. Which seems hilarious after skiing at so many 'more dangerous' mountains.
Oh, and Old…this one’s for you…There were two places where you could get off the lift- which in actuality is pretty ridiculous because it’s not even that long or high. But anyway, there was a part where you needed to lift up your poles/skis if you were traveling all the way to the top. I told the story about you bending/breaking your poles in Maine.
After skiing we basically went back to the hotel, ate some food, and went to bed. Now it’s off to Entebbe Uganda! I can’t wait to get to Gulu in just 3 days.
Once we arrived to Dubai we basically just went to our hotel, and then headed to the Dubai mall. At the mall (probably about the size of both KOP malls in one building) they have an indoor ski place. So 5 of us bit the bullet, and went skiing in the desert. The ‘mountain’ actually changed steepness, almost like a real mountain. There was ‘real’ man-made snow, and we even rode the ski lift up to the top. The best was the fire exit door at the top of the ‘mountain’. That was hilarious.
They are really crazy about safety at the ski place. We weren’t allowed to ride the lift without putting the safety bar down. Which seems hilarious after skiing at so many 'more dangerous' mountains.
Oh, and Old…this one’s for you…There were two places where you could get off the lift- which in actuality is pretty ridiculous because it’s not even that long or high. But anyway, there was a part where you needed to lift up your poles/skis if you were traveling all the way to the top. I told the story about you bending/breaking your poles in Maine.
After skiing we basically went back to the hotel, ate some food, and went to bed. Now it’s off to Entebbe Uganda! I can’t wait to get to Gulu in just 3 days.
Friday, June 20, 2008
20, 20, 24 hours to go....
Well, that's a little exaggeration, but it's close. I'm almost fully packed, which basically means my "Africa corner" (it was named about a week ago when I started tossing junk into it) is almost empty except for two pairs of shoes.
I will leave on Friday afternoon for the long drive up to JFK, and then our flight leaves at 11pm! It's going to be a long day. I am excited to see the other teachers from last year, and meet the new teachers. Plus we can play trivia against each other on our personal "back of the chair" tv's. That's going to be exciting.
It's pretty late, and I need some shut eye. I guess, until next time...
I will leave on Friday afternoon for the long drive up to JFK, and then our flight leaves at 11pm! It's going to be a long day. I am excited to see the other teachers from last year, and meet the new teachers. Plus we can play trivia against each other on our personal "back of the chair" tv's. That's going to be exciting.
It's pretty late, and I need some shut eye. I guess, until next time...
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Gearing up to go
Still in America, I'm starting to think about what I should pack, and what I shouldn't. While in Africa last year I thought to myself, "I don't need to write down the things I've found really useful, and the totally wasteless stuff I brought this year. I have a great memory. I'll definitely remember if I go back again."
I'm not really sure why I can't get it in my head that I really don't have that great of a memory. Or at least I only remember little useless but fun (if you like science) facts. For example how many other people that you know actually remember that a NASA space shuttle has to be exactly 2" off the ground to be considered "LIFT OFF!"
Anyway, back on track...I'm afraid that I'll want to take too many things with me this year, so I think it's about time I make a list. Also, I'm afraid that half of my list will be books. I am taking some for me to read (26 hours of travel time!), and some to give to Komakech, and some for some students in Gulu. But I kinda wish I had more time before I go, or else I would definitely bring this book with me.
Check out Jen Lemen's recent trip to Rwanda. She's amazing...and I don't even know her.
I'm not really sure why I can't get it in my head that I really don't have that great of a memory. Or at least I only remember little useless but fun (if you like science) facts. For example how many other people that you know actually remember that a NASA space shuttle has to be exactly 2" off the ground to be considered "LIFT OFF!"
Anyway, back on track...I'm afraid that I'll want to take too many things with me this year, so I think it's about time I make a list. Also, I'm afraid that half of my list will be books. I am taking some for me to read (26 hours of travel time!), and some to give to Komakech, and some for some students in Gulu. But I kinda wish I had more time before I go, or else I would definitely bring this book with me.
Check out Jen Lemen's recent trip to Rwanda. She's amazing...and I don't even know her.
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