After delivering some letters to the two primary schools near the lake, I stopped to talk with Mr. Kulumba, my counterpart. A woman at the shop was making mats and she was willing to let me have a try. I'm pretty sure she had to fix the very little I did. You definitely have to know how to hold all the pieces, which I do not yet. Who knows, I may be able to make of these mats some day.

In case you were curious, this is what a garden looks like, at least the gardens I visited one day. I planted a banana plant in there somewhere. I'll have to go check up on it when I return to town.

Just outside town there is an area that is being used to mine sand. And yes, it is all done by manpower. They load these trucks with shovels and sheer stamina. And it is definitely not just sand they are tossing up there each time either. As they drive down the street through town, you can heard and the see the water pouring out of the truck bed...talk about fresh dirt.

The second day I was in town I was invited to a wedding on the weekend. Here the couple makes their way to the cake. I just have to say I'm not sure I would hire the same sound techs. For the 2 or 3 hours waiting for the bride and groomto arrive we were treated to music and talk. Though I don't know the language that well yet, I would have appreciated all of it much more if my ears didn't feel like they were bleeding. It was quite a painful experience. I couldn't even talk to my neighbors due to the incredible volume. Everyone looked very lovely though and it will be the talk of the village for awhile. I don't know if I'll be able to hear them talking, but I'm told they will be talking of it for months. While sitting there having my inner ear beaten, I found some things to think about that made me laugh. I don't remember them now, but I needed something to laugh about so I wouldn't cry. Anyway, to go along with the talking part. I think it is impressive after being to an event such as this wedding how people can still hear each other...because it's not that they go deaf, but the crazy part is that everyone talks soooooo quietly. Mom, maybe you were right, maybe I do have bad hearing, but most of the time I hear lots of things even if people think I don't. I wonder if I just don't hear somethings because my brain is being overloaded trying to hear what is being said in Luganda, translating it, trying to remember the vocabulary to respond, and then trying to respond with correct pronounciation. Whew...

If you want, care packages, letters, any type of mail can contain a pair of earplugs if you have an extra pack lying around. I'll use them for upcoming social functions.

On Halloween (which is not celebrated here...well it is All Hallow's Eve/All Saint's Day Eve I suppose), but I had quite the experience getting a haircut. I know if I just let it grow, I'll just pull it back. With shorter hair it is new for me and in many ways easier to deal with, except in the morning when it wants to be all crazy.

Okay, so I asked around to where I could get my hair cut and was told it would be best in Kampala, they'd know how. So I waited until I made the trip to the city. My supervisor dropped me off on Martin Rd at an Indian barbershop. Looked okay, I walked up and asked if they could cut my hair, gave me a nod for yes. I asked how much, 7000/- was the reply. Saved 3000/-, I know this because one of the other volunteers paid 10,000/- at Garden City. I think there is a reason I saved 3000/- (by the way, /- means Ugandan shillings). There was very little talk, very little. No questions. I just sat down, got the cloth draped over me, and he signaled for me to remove my glasses. He spritzed my hair down with water, pulled out a horse comb, and proceeded to chop my hair off. This is an exaggeration in terms, but I do not think I have ever been manhandled during a haircut before. He'd grab a chunk of hair and cut. Then another. I did not see any method here. The top is quite short and the back is still longer than I would have like...but according to the other three guys there, it apparently looks good, okay, and I look hot. Sure, sure. Whatever, it's just hair right? That's what I keep telling myself. Some women here wrap their heads...I have considered this; now to find the right material.

I went shopping a picked up items to make my home more functional. In the States, I tried to be conscious of packaging, trying to avoid plastic wrapping- especially the unnecessary kind, but here I have even more reason to because I can't even "throw it 'away'" I mean, where is it going to go...Most of the time I'm gonna say it just ends up on the side of the road. I don't want to contribute to that. So I think I managed to get two items with plastic packaging. The rest had paperboard, which can at least be used to start cook fires. My neighbor, Raymond is still waiting to see what I manage to do with all the plastic I'm collecting. I haven't figured out a creative way to use it yet, but give me time...I'm thinking.

Time to get back to town, mop up all the water that I am very sure has pooled around the refigerator and run along the floor under the cupboard (hopefully no further...not that there is anywhere else to go), eat the avocados that are probably ripe by now, sweep, and visit people.

Until Next time...

More Pictures...Less Words; Continued.

YAY, more pictures. Enjoy....
I went up the hill to the school to sit on a rock and read...I mean it was Sunday and I needed to not just be sitting my little rooms looking at the walls and my eight-legged roommates (we had a meeting the second day I was there and came to the agreement that if they stay where they are they will live.)

One of our rainwater harvesting tanks. This is the one I use the most since it is right next to my door. As you can see, we are currently at capacity, so if you need water, stop by, the price is reasonable.

On the hill overlooking Lake Victoria, well that's what I'm doing. You are currently looking at me doing just that.

Welcome to my new home. This is basically what you see when you show up at my door...except for the stacks of books under the table.

My first sunrise at my new home. The first day at site, my counterpart took me by this location to show me a bit of the town. You can see the town I live in tucked down there next to the shore.

The second time I went to photo the sunrise a Malibu Stork flew in and did some posing for me. This is the closest picture I have of this species of bird. They are referred to as the garbage eating birds, but either way they are pretty neat creatures.

Before people headed out to the lake to do fishing for the day, the landing is quite a peaceful place. I enjoyed one day watching people coming in from fishing for the day. There is a whole crew of people that wade out to the boat and carry the people, their items, and their daily catch to shore. I guess I'm not quite sensitized to that culture aspect cause I found it a bit humorous to watch.

Uganda is a land of hills and I'd say the majority have cell phone towers on then. The one overlooking town is not different. There are three up there, but no matter, because the view from up there is worth the hike and potential slide down.

Welcome to my home again. This is my kitchen. Equipped with a gas stove, refrigerator, and cabinet space. (Guess you could say I'm not exactly roughing it, but in my own defense, I'd say surviving on a daily basis is pretty rough...especially for a newbie like me. Don't worry though, I'm gonna be Baganda before too long.)

Here is my bedroom leading to my bathing area. It currently does not look like this, but all the items are still there--a bed, mosquito net, and something that passes for an armoir.

My supervisor has a beautiful home. And the flowers around the compound are very pretty. I like these with the little hangy things...sorry not being all biology technical right now.

On my bike purchase day this is what a typical street looks like...the non-traffic jam kind...I am truly impressed with the way people are able to drive here. I'd say it is crazy, but that's still an understatement.

Another flower at my supervisor's home. Had to try out the macro on my camera. At least I got that figured out because I am awfully disappointed with not being able to take good night photos.

I am told that I was giving the impression that Uganda is all pretty and neat, but really I just don't like taking pictures of the not so neat parts. I thought I'd better share, so if you came and visited you wouldn't be completely shocked.

This is probably one of my favorite horse pictures. The mist provided the perfect opportunity for this shot.

This was during our site visit, when we were still trainees, and Khrissee and I passed by a school. They wanted a picture, so I took it for them. The only part I did not appreciate was when they clamps death grips on my new camera to look at it. I was freaking out since I just got it a couple days before after having a man in Wakiso break the one I brought. I do like my new camera though, my one and only splurge. Gots to be able to share pictures with you right?

Just for you dad, my three cycle washing machine. Two wash, one rinse, and then to the line for drying. And like I mentioned before...if it rains, I get an extra rinse cycle...hehehe.

More Pictures...Less Words

Well, here is one picture I managed to upload for your enjoyment. Computer issues are not what I find enjoying, but it happens, so please be patient, I do have lots of photos to share with you.My first weekend at site the women's group made soap to sell to generate some income. From an industrial hygiene perspective, I don't think can earn enough in respect to the time, energy, and health risks they endured to make it. The process was everything not to be done. Nothing to reduce respiratory problems--the fumes were definitely noxious. I am pretty pleased that they did use rubber gloves to add chemicals. Took about 6 hours I think...I forget what time we started (somewhere around 10) and finished (somewhere around 4), but I was pretty much there all day. Anybody want some soap?

Colin and I with The Herbster, our amazing language teacher after the swearing-in ceremony.

Believe it or not I was a ballet instructor in Uganda and I had some very hard working, dedicated Ugandan trainers for my students. Can you believe even with extensive amounts of paperwork and training preparations, they still wanted to learn a little ballet from a very out of practice American. They atleast have the basics now and I enjoyed getting to know them. Good thing we still have in-service training so I will get to see them.

Here is my buddy Sarah Z. She is currently living with six nuns and working with lots and lots of teen girls AND having a blast doing so. I hope to visit her often as well as many of the other volunteers.

Richard wanted to make sure I had some pictures of me on my camera, so he took one for me. Think I looked pretty good that day, but....

I definitely can't compete these guys. Mica, Richard, and Herbert.

Now I'll take you back to while we were still trainees....

A view from the road leading to RACO.

The road to RACO...this road may look pleasant and serene, but if you were here and it was raining, I would show you the long cut because it is quite messy this way and on many occassions the vehicles could not pass it....And of course it is all uphill....hehehe

These are some of my little friends at home. Grace and Robert lived directly next door and Immaculate lived behind our house. They made my homestay entertaining to say the least.

Okay, this is Betty (my homestay niece) with our pig Reinbaw...still don't know the spelling or if I pronounce it correctly, but there you go.

I guess I will tell you about my morbid naming of the pig...before I knew they named the pig. Let me explain a little, my naming came from two simple concepts: one is because they do not keep pets here like we do in America and second I assumed incorrectly that due to the previous fact that maybe they do not name their animals. So I decided to give Reinbaw a name I could pronounce and lacking extensive amounts of creativity and recognizing the emminent fate of this poor little fellow, I am sorry to say I named the pig Someday. Don't hate me, I have since learned to not name animals, nor do I plan to have any while I am here--in case you were wondering.

Okay, on to more enjoyable topics....oh yeah.

This is actually a misnomer...matatus are something I would not consider an enjoyable topic. Though the passenger limit is clear marked on the side of the vehicle at 14...this particular trek during Immersion week found us on our way home with 23 people, at least 3 chickens, a couple babies, and an overheating engine.

Playmates: a tied up goat and dog

Maama and baby...they were done with pictures for the day...

and the rest followed.

Herbert and I have agreed that these little critters are the hardest working in Uganda if not in Africa or the world.

Just a pic of a cool plant...and sorry Grandma, I don't think you can have one of these, but when you come visit you can see plenty of them.

My friend Catherine on here way to work in the fields. She is so nice and always full of smiles.

Homestay Thank You Lunch preparations...how many trainees and trainers does it take to construct two tents...well I lost count, but alot sounds about right.

A view from the "long" way to RACO. This is overlooking a football pitch. Pretty nice, eh?

Me in a borrowed gomez (still not sure how to spell that either) it is the traditional clothing of the Baganda women. Maama Betty asked me to wear it to church and let me tell you that was quite the walking experience. All I heard was Bannange, Webale, that I looked smart, and a muzungu in a gomez...Maama Betty talked about it for days afterwards...how everyone knows Nanyonjo and how great it was that I wore a gomez. Suppose I'll have to get one of my own someday soon.

Three trainers sitting on the job....just kidding. This Saturday we were building fuel efficient stoves and Francis, Richard, and Moses were taking a break from mud slinging.

One of my favorite breakfast meals at homestay.

A group visited a fish farm and some braved the waters to go fishing for catfish...they only had to try twice and managed to get a whole two catfish. Good job guys.

One of my favorite parts of traveling to RACO everyday for training was passing by this pasture with all these beautiful horses. Wonder if they are for sale...not that I can have one, don't think one would pass for the permitted pets of dog or cat...hmm

Change of Plans

That may sound like a bad title, but really it works out for all involved. Instead of me having to divide my luggage and expect someone else to take care of it for me, I will be staying in Kampala at the office of my organization. Then on Tuesday, when they will be traveling to my soon to be home, I will be able to go with them and sorry to say this since so many volunteers are swerving their ways through the taxi and bus parks trying to keep an eye on ALL their luggage...you know--the 2 large suitcases, two carry-ons, and all the fun extras provided by Peace Corps...a large bucket, a comfy though bulky blanket, and about 20 extra thick books all for our reading enjoyment, not to mention all the notebooks and loose papers. They really do know how to prepare us for the field, cause if we can get there with everything still with us and our person completely intact, we can do anything. Go team.

I did have something written before, but for some reason lost it all. I still want to send my shout out to Sarah, Kiera, and Tina. Thank you, sorry, and you will be truly missed by me!!! All you others volunteers, I will miss you too, the beach will be open...but actually I cannot promise that yet since I will not know until Tuesday what the current conditions are, and who knows plans may change yet again.

I am quite surprised to learn of how spoiled I will be in my new organization...but I guess when your expectations are a jerry can full of water and a kerosene lamp anything will seem luxurious. I am gonna miss our trainers, no names necessary, you know who you are...

Let's get this service started.

Until Next Time...(which will be in a few minutes, cause it is picture time).

Time for Our Work to Begin

It is Friday. Newly minted volunteers are being whisked away to their new homes. I plan on seeing many visitors since I'm the one with a beach in my backyard. I am currently at my organization's Kampala office. It seems I have more perks than I could have imagined.

I feel bad for those who have more difficulty with their travel arrangements, but I imagine they will be able to handle anything after today. Good luck to you all.

Can I just say, the Lord has provided blessings and miracles in many ways. I thank Him for watching over me and though others may not believe so, over them too.

I am looking forward to beginning my new work building water tanks for rainwater harvesting, latrines, helping make soap, and getting to know my community.
Apparently I will be getting another Ugandan name, but I can have three, no problem.

In Wakiso, I will always be Nanyonjo--mainly because they had difficulty saying Heidi--vowels are weird here....but I guess so is d and p because my bank card is definitely mispelled.

I think they are waiting to get on the road so I will close for now, I do have some funny stuff to tell you, but right now I am not one hundred percent with it cause of the many changes occuring at the present.

Hope all is well with you, and I'll be in touch soon.

Until Next time...

Let the 2 years begin

On Thursday, Uganda will welcome 42 new Peace Corps Volunteers as we will be official after the swearing in ceremony. It will be sad to leave our "new families," but most feel it is time to get to work. I will be traveling to the Mukono District and working with a fishing community in the areas of water quality and sanitation projects. It's all I could have asked for...I knew there was a reason I had not seen Lake Victoria yet.
Today we were given time to shop for supplies we may need at site. I never really liked shopping in the first place, but so far I've gotten some useful items. A bigger backpack to aid in carrying all the extras Peace Corps so kindly gave us to take to site--sorry you can't hear the sarcasm there....
a visor since the sun is quite bright, some rope--always useful, and some expensive forks...
Working on getting pictures downloaded so I can share more with you soon.

Until Next time