Hello friends! Well, the past few days have been...interesting. To say the least. The Nile river was amazing-we visited the source of the Nile, where we got a TON of pictures, saw monkeys that were hanging around, and I even dipped my feet in the water! We also did some shopping in Jinja on our way to Bujagali Falls, which is also part of the Nile River. There were so many people at the falls...but it really was a great time. We loaded on to the bus to check into our hotel in Iganga where we were going to be staying for the next 16 days. I was disapointed to find out that we did not have cell phone coverage OR wireless internet. But that was a minor disappointment compared to the series of events that ultimately led to our relocation. As many of you know, there is extreme homophobia here in Uganda, and people that are unmarried are not allowed to share beds. As the rooms that were at the Ntinda Lodge only had one bed per room, we did need to bunk together, which caused upset among our host people. After being assigned our rooms, we realized that the only water in our bathrooms we had was freezing cold. But we were thankful for the water supply-we could wash up! And, then the toilet seat did not have a cover...which meant more squatting (has anyone tried to squat and poop at the same time??? It doesn't work out very well) than we already were doing every day. I could share stories about squatting, but I won't gross you all out. Then we checked out the window and door to the area outside from our room (there were small cement walk out porches around the building) and there not only were no screens (meaning bugs had perfect access to our rooms), there were not locks on the doors (which were metal gate like doors) either. Not good from a security standpoint. And we enjoyed the same meal as we've had many times since our arrival-Rice, potatoes, chicken and goat.
As it is the dry season here, I rinsed off before bed. The water was clay colored-so much for the tan I thought I had. In reality, I was burned. When I woke up in the morning to shower, there was a mosquito infestation in our room-invading our suitcases, bathroom, EVERYWHERE. I spent more time trying to kill mosquitos than I actually did getting clean this morning. Not great considering I really don't want to get Malaria. We ended up making alternate arrangements due to these reasons...plus a few more. Then there is the money issue. I don't even need to say anything about that, as you all know how I've been feeling all along. There were even more issues that have come up, and I am hoping/praying for things to work out.
I shouldn't be so down and out about everything though. Today was a great day spent touring the University, the Buckley High school and the School of the Blind. We will be spending the next two weeks with the Nursing Students from Busoga University, doing clinic work, hospital work, outreach, etc. There are so many differences in the Nursing education in Uganda and in America. The students we are working with are in a Midwifery program...delivering babies etc. However, the training is not like the Midwifery programs in the US. Anyway, it will prove to be an interesting few weeks. The girls at Buckley were the highlight of the trip so far. They were so eager to talk to us, give us hugs and just hang out and learn from us! It is a boarding school, so the girls travel from Uganda and even Kenya to attend this school-they stay in the dorms and are away from their families from most of the year. We will be back to both Buckley and the School for the Blind; both experiences will be awesome.
Anyway, I am having a sort of trying time right now. I am thinking about everything that I am missing back home-all of you, working, etc. We are finally at a decent place again-considering we will be here for an extended period of time. We are at the Mums Resort Hotel in Iganga, for anyone who wants to know. I will also leave you with some of the best quotes thus far from the trip....
"You look just like that actress on the Bold and the Beautiful...only much much fatter." --one of the hosts to one of our students
"Is that a lion?" "No, it's just a cow." --conversation between two students
"Why are you all so fat?" --Uganda Nursing Student to Wisconsin Student Nurse
PS We all have been called fat numerous times per day. It is quite strange....well maybe we should work off a few pounds? If we keep eating the rice, potatoes, chicken and goat, this will be a very effective diet. I cannot eat goat three times per day. I keep seeing baby goats along the road, and thinking to myself "awe, how cute....wait, that's my dinner" and then feeling awful.
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Hang in there Emily. This will prove to be a life changing experience and I know for the better. We know you are a strong woman. You will do great.
ReplyDeleteEmily--you are amazing! I admire you so much. Keep on truckin'. We are all keeping you in our thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteI just want everyone to know that "the Rose" is doing well. She has been experiencing a power outage the last few days-no internet,no ability to add to her blog,no phone, no A/C. I spoke with her, but her cell was possibly running out of battery. She is happy to be doing the work she went for. Having challenges that would be in line with a different culture/country/ way of doing things.
ReplyDeleteHi All,
ReplyDeleteI talked to "the Rose" today. She was in pretty good spirits.It is morning here but late afternoon there. They worked today at the hospital. She was happy to be doing the work she travelled there for. She was explaining the women patients walk for miles and miles to see the Dr -all dressed in their best, as seeing a Dr is an important event. There are no appointments and they often wait out on the lawn all day to see the Dr.-first come first served.They bring their children. Almost no men.
She has had no electricity for the last 2 days, and is hot all day and night. Her windows dont open -half the girls have opening windows half dont.
She went outside this am to wait for the bus to take them to the hospital, and discovered an armed guard in the little hut in front of the hotel.She talked with him a bit.
She also mentioned that chickens just run free all over the place, goats and cows are tied up by one leg here and there but can roam fairly freely. She was curious that no one steals them.
They were doing everything by candlelite last nite since there is no power. She heard/felt something scurry across her foot last nite and screamed . One of the other girls came in and stomped on something. She took a picture of a large cockroach next to her foot, but wasn't sure that was what was scurrying.
She did her first load of wash in a tub , by hand and it is hanging everywhere to dry. Because of the lack of power, she is about out of battery on her phone, and hasnt been able to update her blog/access the internet.
As EJN mentioned they had a different meal last nite of tomato soup, also a vegetable curry . She was thrilled . It was the first vegetables they have had.
I think she is dismayed about the attitude of some of the people. They seem to really want to take advantage of the students financially. At the lunch they have catered for them- the local people who were in charge of ordering the meals served their food and water to them , 35 local students and other people that were there.This is on the students dime.Out of their food resources.
People have asked if they will sponsor them coming to the US. They really have a belief the girls are all rich and have things handed to them.From what Ive read in the online Uganda newspapers-people are obsessed with appearance of being well heeled. Status a very important thing.
I also knew that the "fat" references she was hearing were a positive thing in the eyes of the local people. Just as we would call someone skinny here, and have it be a compliment-fat is the compliment there. It signifies wealth from being well fed. She found out today that women who are thin, are thought to have aids, or illness again reinforcing "fat" to be a good thing.
Well this is all I can remember for now. Know that she may not be able to make any calls, add to her blog or even receive calls because of the power outage.
- N