The Christmas Story begins

Instead of going into things I miss about American normal Christmas, I decided I would narrate the excitement of a new Christmas experience.

I am getting in the Christmas spirit, slowly, as I realize it really is the end of December, even though my body still thinks it is August. The weather is always perfect. Yesterday it was a bit cold actually... which was strange.

We ended classes on Wednesday and had Thursday off, which was fantastic. I made some Christmas cards and worked on my very meager and small gifts for a few people.

Sr. Linda, a 60 something Californian nun who is serving here, and I were trying to figure out the schedule for today... but failed. So I went to breakfast in the dinning today and listened to work duties. I wasn't assigned anywhere (of course... sigh) So I decided to help out in the Church. Before I went over I sang a few Christmas carols with my guitar, just enjoying the season. I like that they don't decorate till Christmas Eve, just like my family at home.

When I arrived, it was just me and 3 Tanzanian DTS students. We started WORKING. In 1.5 hours we cleaned the church top to bottom, sweeping, scrubbing, washing everything. It was hard work! Then Moses, the decorator man, came and taught all of use to make cool ribbon flowers. It was a great learning experience and the guys jumped right in! I was impressed. We made a ton of them!

Then we began with the cloth. They use huge pieces of draped cloth to decorate any room for a celebration. It took a long time, and by lunch we weren't even 1/2 way done and I was exhausted. I went to eat and found the house priest's house alive with activity... they were decorating too!

They even had put up the most charley brownish Christmas tree I've seen since a tiny scrawny tree I had in my bed room when I was 12! It was fake, with 2 ball ordiments on it and a string of lights that didn't work. Sad. I made a bow to the top, and a few small ones for the body. It was fun to get caught up in the decorating with a few Africans, an American, and an Italian!

Sr. Linda and I talk a lot together. We ended up talking a while after lunch, then I was tired and had some work to do. I came home and restfully did my work. When I returned to the church they had finished! It really looks beautiful!

I got some christmas cards in the mail, which was fantastic! One was from my Best Friend, including an awesome cartoonish drawing which always makes me happy!

I spent the afternoon in the chapel and doing some work. There was a lot of confusion in the later afternoon about whether or not there was Christmas Eve mass. In the end I had bathed and prepped, then was told mass was happening right then. I rushed to finish getting ready.

I walked across the lawn to the church at the other end. As I approached the church there was a large group of DTS male students waiting outside the church. All of them started saying "Oh my gosh you are so smart" "Wow, where have you been hiding these things??" One of them gave me a hug... another grabbed my hand (totally normal) and started saying how incredible nice I look. I was a bit floored. I think it's because I was wearing a skirt that actually shows I have legs! They all commented. Later on another one greeted me and said "I didn't even think it was you when you walked up to us earlier. You are so beautiful"... honestly I didn't do anything that differently. A few people echoed the thoughts. It was a strange experience.

Apparently contacts, a shorter than normal skirt (still below knees) a nice fun flowery hair piece, and huge silver earrings does the trick! No make up even. Who knew?

We didn't have mass. It was a total miss understanding. So I finished my hair. Then it was time to hang out and wait for dinner. We feasted on goat and millet... and some veggies. That's at least what I had. I ate so much millet! It's great stuff. I sat next to John Ta and had a really fun time talking with him about Christmas.

Then we had gift exchange. Everyone has pieces someone in both the DTS and Community so it was like a secret santa. It was fun. Some of the gifts were perfect, some pretty terrible. I got a camel colored skirt which almost fits me. I'll wear it a few times so the person isn't hurt. :)

After dinner and gifts it was only 9. I was going into my house and Sr. Linda was walking behind me. She asked if she could see my house. So I gave her a grand tour. (haha) We agreed to meet at the priest's house and play some games (she brought a bunch of american games!)

3 games of Yahteez and a game of Cribbage, and a TON of talking later... we ended up eating crackers with nutella at 1 am!! I love life sometimes. How would have thought I would be doing these funny things with an older nun on Christmas morning!!

It was really fun! Now it's 2 am. I'm not very tired, but should probably sleep.

And TODAY is Christmas!!

Create-a-boyfriend and other stories

Yes. I have had to pull the old "imaginary boyfriend" move twice recently. You know, the one you pull out at McDonald's drive throughs in high school when the guy at the window is hitting on you. That one.

Today it was with our friend the taxi man, who is deeply hurt that I won't cheat on my (fake) significant other with him, and that I won't get him a white woman NOR give him advice on how to get a white woman. Yes, this is all happening by the side of the road as I am trying to get a taxi home. But he always manages to get me a small taxi for 2,000 shillings. The man is good at what he does.

I have NO moral qualms about lying about my single state. It is honestly for physical protection and I don't think there will be any implications for that. Of course it will be much easier when it isn't a lie. Until then, bring on the 6 ft 4 inch buff football player type. I think that'll do.

I went Christmas shopping today and can honestly say it was my first truly successful shopping trip in Mbarara. I am finally learning the place well. I bought myself a Christmas gift... an electric kettle. Water (drinking and non) has been an issue of late. And with the dry season fast approaching, I know it will just get worse. I needed to be able to make drinking water in my room. The added bonus is that now I will have hot water to bathe with!!! :D Merry Christmas to me. Water!

We're having a party for the DTS tomorrow. I am excited. The whole point is to have a heck of a lot of fun. We spent a bunch of time decorating the room today, and the guys went fishing in the ponds for our meal! I hope to get a camera to borrow for the occasion. It's a nice way to create some good memories and get some time just with the students. Christmas will be very busy with the whole community!

I met a peace corps volunteer today. A nice girl from Texas.

Christmas is coming... I just can't fathom it. I have an amazing tan, and it is late December!

Last weeks course went really well. We all learned a lot about our selves and each other. Next week we will do even more personality stuff and look at how different personalities interact on teams. This helps leaders know how to make teams and work with different people. Good stuff.

A month away from Normal

Life is back to Normal.  And I am grateful for that.  The last month has held unexpected adventures, challenges, joys, pains, insights and people.  I have been physically healthier, due to the change in diet.  I am still trying to figure out the balance I need.  I’ve been especially tired recently, but I am working on that with sleep and exercise.  It is hard to learn to take care of yourself properly in a new place.  I am still losing weight.

About a month ago the Irish team came for 2 weeks.  They were two people who were here to run a specific course.  It was at times challenging and other times very good to work with them.  I wasn’t feeling very well at the end of the course and had to get a malaria test.  I finally met someone I have been in touch with for a while, and then a week later found myself in Kigali with a place to stay because of his connections.

I went to Kampala for a week, after the Irish people were here.  It was a good week.  Lots of wonderful friends, a great wedding, and some frustrating immigration issues.   And of course, I got to eat hummus and watch Toy Story 3.  It’s the small things in life that will keep you sane!  I was blessed to have a ride (in a car) to and from Kampala!  Though on the way home there was some GI distress.

Over the last month my garden has taken off.  Just yesterday I gave away about 10 cucumbers and ate one myself.  They are delicious.  The carrots and tomatoes aren’t doing as well, but the cucumbers rock.  I came home for 2 days between Kampala and Kigali and during that time took care of my garden which was growing a bit wild.

Kigali (and all of Rwanda) was incredible.  I am so grateful for the amazing time I spent there.  I met wonderful people, saw a beautiful country, visited the city, and saw the country side.  Rwanda is incredibly developed.  Some people call it a police state.  But people are genuinely happy with the government.  Why shouldn’t they be?  There is no corruption, cleanliness, roads that are perfect, and it is safe for a woman to go out at night!!  I want to move there…  people are listened to and if there is any issue it is taken care of.  Now how it is taken care of, I don’t know.  I think I will research Rwanda more.  I'll be going there whenever I need rest/ vacation/ time away.

I went to the Genocide Memorial.  And yes, I cried.  It was horrific.  Not as bad as Aushwitz, but still pretty terrible.  I think the part which was the worst for me was how incredibly recent this atrocity was, and the power of the mob mentality. 

Why do I love Kigali so much?  I bought a rain coat (unable to find in Uganda), I ate incredible pizza with feta cheese, and I had PEANUT BUTTER Ice cream!!  I mean, is this place even Africa??  Oh, and all for a total of less than 20 USD!  In Rwanda, instead of OVER charging you for things, they UNDER charge you!!!!  This miracle happened 4 times for me.  Amazing.  (and they are actually friendly to white people... incredible!)

The border crossing on the way home went fine, miraculously.  I got my 3 month extension which is what I needed!  Hooray! 

So now, back to normal.  It has been a long time since things were normal and I am grateful for the quietness again.  A friend from Masaka is teaching this week, and I’ve already had the chance to chat with him.  He’s a great guy and I hope to work more with him. One of my best friends in very ill, so I've been visiting her at least 2 times a day with flowers and movies. 

We are covering life passion and vision this week.  Good, and needed, stuff. 

Photos from Dennis and Agnes' wedding

I am sorry about the quality.  I don't have a camera right now.  Also, that means no photos from Kigali.  Maybe one or two will show up but I am sorry for the lack of photos.  There are a few more coming soon.

Rwanda, land of a thousand hills... land of my heart

I love Rwanda. I arrived in Rwanda for my first visit on Tuesday afternoon. I took public transportation which was quite an adventure, and included french lessons in a taxi and nice women to show me which car to take. Over all it was uneventful and mildly enjoyable.

Why am I in Rwanda? I needed to leave Uganda for visa reasons. It is the week when the students are working in a church far out in the village... I couldn't go because of food. Also, I have always wanted to go to Rwanda and it is actually very close to Mbarara, where I live. I made a friend, Antony, a few weeks ago (actually we'd been in touch, but never met) and he lives here in Kigali. So it worked out.

I am currently sitting in the computer room of the Rwanda YWAM base (Youth with a mission). Yesterday we (me and a bunch of the YWAM people) went to a museum 2 hours from here in the next major city. It was fantastic to drive through this tiny country.

Rwanda is ravishingly beautiful. The hills roll over the entire country. Every turn on the winding roads provide yet another breath taking view! I am staying with an amazing family, the husband and wife are called Method and Mary. They run the YWAM work here... and are trying to recruit me. It's cute. I have been incredibly inspired by all the people I am meeting. This trip has been really good for me.

But truly, Rwanda is amazing. It is different than Uganda in so many ways. Antony said it well "(Africa) is all the same, but different". This place is incredibly clean and comfortable. Kigali is beautiful!!

I would not mind at all if one day my path lead me to work in Rwanda.

Today: go around this local area, go to the market, and get pizza!! (YES!Pizza, hopefully!)
Tomorrow: Do Kigali properly. Genocide Museum, churches, do some shopping/eating and looking around the city. :)
Saturday: Early morning return to Uganda.

Kampala: Love Hate relationship... mostly love

There are things about Kampala which I really love. There are things about Kampala I cannot stand. But overall, at this moment, even with the million annoying things that happened today, I am happy to be here. I have realized that there are some things which I, at this point, need in my life. Those are people and travel, in no specific order.

When I come to Kampala I have been staying with my friends Susanna and Peter. They have a 10 month old son, who is the joy of my heart… so beautiful and fun. I am his only white aunty, and he is well use to me now. Peter and Susanna are a great couple who laugh a lot and have a comfortable home. I generally watch a lot of tv and spend some quality hang out time on their couch. It’s great to chill in a more familiar feeling environment… they have comfortable couches! A novel concept.

I came to Kampala for 3 reasons: 1. Immigration 2. An introduction and wedding and 3. To meet with my friends from Sudan, most specifically Father Herald.

I am glad that all of those things converged in one time because I needed to get out of Mbarara for a bit. As much as things about Kampala can bug me: Taxi men who say they are going somewhere, then leave you in the middle of the city with no clue where you are, extortion all the time because of your skin, and other annoyances… I do love this city. And I am learning it, which makes me happy.

Today I went to the US Embassy in Kampala for the first time. Apparently you have to have an appointment, which I was never informed of via that embassy emails . So I was there for over an hour just trying to get a stamp on a piece of paper for notarization. No go. (In the waiting room I did meet the son of a random contact in the states, whos family my best friend’s family is very close to. Small world…)

I was late for my meeting with my friend fr. Henry, who ended up picking me up because it was raining. I had tea and chatted with him, helped him with a project we’ve been working on, then jumped a boda over to Garden City… white people land. At first I really didn’t like Garden City. It’s where white people gather because you can actually find food and things that you want and need.

Then I discovered a Lebanese restaurant which makes amazing humus. I now go every time I am in Kampala and pay far too much for a vat of my favorite food! So today I met with Eric from cornerstone in the food court. We chatted about Eastern University’s Masters in International Development Course, which I am very interested in… it’s for working professionals. Then we chatted about living in Uganda as a white person. He has some very very well thought out things to say, which really encouraged and inspired me. It gave me a new perspective which I really appreciate. …Basically he said that we are bridges… we shouldn’t strive to be another African, because that is not what the world needs from us. His insights were wonderfully simple but also needed. That man is going to go far.

Finally I made my last stop for the day… and got ripped off totally going there. Grr. Immigration. I thankfully have a friend inside who is a great lady. We actually found out that we were at the same conference in Rome in 2006!! Crazy. The world is sooo small… again.

However the news was not so good. I have to get a letter from a larger organization then I had, and there were other complications as well. Long story short, I’ll start the work permit process in a few months time, then officially get it when I return from Europe in July. This means, however, that I must leave the country within 30 days. And I will have to get a multi entry visa when I am coming back in…for $100… I think that will work, hopefully. I had been on the fence about whether to go to Rwanda next week or not… but now it is for sure. I actually HAVE to go. Hooray! I’ve always wanted to go to Rwanda. I hear Kigali is amazing.

It was an annoying meeting at immigration for sure, the people were very nice, but the situation is confusing and time consuming. I was saying to my friend Henry today that I just wish there was a global passport/citizenship... free movement. I do want to have 2 passports before I die. (I have strange life goals)

Tomorrow, hopefully, holds my first introduction! This is the traditional cultural wedding in Uganda. I hope that it is fun. It’ll all be in Luganda, but I am hoping someone from Emmaus will be there to keep me company. We shall see. Friday… maybe Harry Potter, for sure a meeting with Father Herald. Saturday, Dennis and Agnes’ wedding! Sunday, sleep at Emmaus, home to Mbarara. Monday or Tuesday… to Rwanda!

I took this week off the school because otherwise I would have been illegally in the country. Then next week the students are going to spend the week outside of the community doing different services in a local area. So I was told I shouldn’t go for health reasons, which is why I can go to Rwanda and not be at school.

So I am breathing this week, and enjoying in Kigali next. It’s a nice break. The last few weeks have been a bit rocky. For now, I’ll enjoy the big city. The good and the bad.