Let's start with external...
This weekend a group of the USP students (26 of us) went to Jinja and went white-water rafting and bungee jumping on the Nile! We stayed at a hostel that was SOOOO chill. The staff was awesome - full of guys with dreads and fros and great senses of humor. The white water rafting was on up to class 5 rapids which was more than absolutely epic! Our guide's name was Nathan and he was HILARIOUS! The boat I was on was a blast, we joked around the whole time, but also got serious for the insane rapids we had to tackle. A few funny stories...one time when our raft flipped my friend Charles and I who were in the front got tangled up as we launched into the water...once we figured out where the surface was he goes "Oh no, Nicole, we're going the wrong way!!" He was so disoriented he thought we were being pushed upstream...how that would even work I have no idea. But it was super funny especially because then I was confused for a minute, too. Anyways...we did make it safely back into the raft. On another rapid, called Silverback (like the guerillas) I literally could not breathe. We got rocked down the falls and seeing as Charles and I were in the front got the brunt of the waves to the face. The only thought in my head was "Can't breathe, can't breathe, can't breathe, ahhhhhh, need to breathe, I see air, must breathe....ahhhh!! Gasp!"It was crazy. And awesome. Bungee jumping the next day was also completely epic and such an insane rush of adrenaline I don't even know how to describe it. I highly recommend the process to anyone considering it. Oh and after diving off the platform at the bottom I was dunked into the Nile waist-deep. Definitely went through the whole "Can't breathe!...water...can't breathe... so muchwater!..." thought process again. It was such a blast hanging out with USE people that I don't usually get to spend alot of time with. Ahhhh, I'm just so thankful to be here!!!
Ok so to more internal adventures...a little list of the plethora of things I have learned/am learning...
-The water bottles full of awkward yellow colored liquid substances on the sinks are SOAP! Yes...I JUST figured this out...and only because someone told me. :)
-How to stave off a cow when walking by a stray one...pick up a stick and wave it in its face
-Being okay with Ugandans not answering questions when you ask them...whether by way of just laughing it off or simply not answering. (Just not required here...)
-Consequently...how to avoid answering questions or requests if you so desire...just laugh :)
-When passing through narrow pathways or doorways if there are Ugandans in the way they will move out of the way, but that means leaving a good inch for you to push through...don't feel bad though, just go.
-Crossing the street involves insane amounts of trust and boldness...but you better just get up and go or you will stand there forreeeevvveeerrrr!
-Rejecting offers from Boda Boda men (motorcyclists who are EVERYWHERE to give cheap rides to people...the source of most of the proposals I have received)...just say "Kula" (grow up) and your problems will be solved!
-Stopping, catching, riding, and stopping a matatu (taxi vans)
-Appreciating the night bucket in my room (for short calls)
-How to quickly drink SUUUUPer hot tea (trick from dad...ask him if you could also benefit from this :))
-Walking to school without being run over by bodas or cars who are trying to avoid the crazy ruts in the road...they will drive literally inches next to you
-How to make a huge group of school kids laugh...just say "Hi!"
-Cutting pinneapples
-Making juice the REAL way
-The beauty of febreeze and fabric release spray
-"Fake" bathing when you are in a rush and don't feel like tackling the basin...just clean your legs and feet and they will think you are clean ;)
-How to truly appreciate even the smallest piece of chocolate...mmm...
-Appreciating my friends' parents and relatives for the packages they send and sweets I therefore get to partake in
-The widespread influence of Spanish soap operas
-What it means to offer my presence to others
-To appreciate/value other people for the presence (not necessarily deep conversation) they offer
-Seeing God's beauty and bounty and blessings in a WHOLE new way
-the joy of a simple life
-What all you really DON'T need to get by...everything from a big bedroom, to running water, to lots of clothes, to a huge variety of food, ...
-Africa is beautiful. The people. The food. The smells. The sounds. The geography. The trees. The birds. The cows. The insects. The faith. The love. The community.
-Oh so much more...but this list is getting long...so I will leave you with that for now. Can't wait to share more later!
A few other random things - sorry for not responding to e-mails in a long time, mine hasn't been working for a while now...its very temperamental. Also, I was just talking to one of the interns and he said that if people are going to send letters/packages they should probably do it in the next week or so or else they won't get here on time. We leave campus April 22nd - he said that they usually get alot of packages after everyone has gone and its very sad. Not to be rudely asking for things - but just a warning that if you were going to...the sooner the better or it may be best to just save the postage. Thanks. :)
Love you all. Be blessed.
Phil 2:3-4
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
a week in the village
So I just got back from a week in rural Uganda - specifically in Kaptchorwa (which means friend, btw). We stayed with families and just hung out with them living life in the village. It was nice to have a week off from school - but certainly nothing like your usual Spring Break vaca. It's so hard to try to describe what it was like so I will try to give you a brief idea, post some pics when the internet cooperates, and hope to talk to you more in person eventually.
First of all Kaptchorwa is BEAUTIFUL! It is in the mountains, with fields everywhere and hills and waterfalls and amazing hikes. Hikes were probably my favorite part of the week. We got there Friday night...Saturday my host father (a very kind primary school teacher, and translator at the church and for a radio station) took me on what he called a "short walk". This ended up including hiking a mountain...in a long skirt and sandals. Gotta love it. It was really nice though - we had a great view of town and home and on the way down greeted every family we passed (I had to learn to greet in the language quickly). The families were always friends and often relatives in some way. Sunday was church - about a 45 minute walk away. It was a typical Ugandan Anglican service...which are interesting and need a whole blog of their own... After church we were invited to lunch my a couple in the church. They hosted both my family and another family who was hosting a student (cooincidentally Megan - the girl I live with in Mukono - so it was really fun to see her and have lunch). Monday also included a hike with my cousin Cherub. It was incredible. We went up to the falls and frolicked through the tall trees - I seriously felt like Pochantas! It was nice to spend one-on-one time with her and talk while we hiked. She is 19 and SO nice - it was interesting to hear the questions her and my family had about the US...lots of stereotypes that aren't true AT ALL!
One frustrating thing through the week was my family not believing me about alot of things. Not a big deal really - but after a while it was a bit annoying. Things like the fact that it was colder at home than it was there (it was cool at night which was a welcome relief from Mukono but still barely sweatshirt worthy), the fact that we had mountains and that I wasn't afriad to climb them, and lots of polictics. It was fun to sit and chat with my dad about these things though, and just interesting the view they had of the US.
Tuesday and Wednesday were the hardest days for me. I literally did not leave the compound of our house and just sat around with my sister, Charity (9). She is really nice, but couldn't move around much because she is in a full leg cast. It was fun to play games with her and talk about stuff, but after 14 hours a day I was a little stir crazy. It also didn't help that my mom and Cherub were working around the compound all day...but refused my help anytime I offered it. I thought about home WAY more than I have being in Uganda...and then was frustrated with myself in that. But God totally worked through it and proved ways He was faithful in that. For example Tuesday night my parents both mentioned something about how grateful they were that I could be there with Cherub since she had just gotten out of the hospital a week ago (after 3 months) and had been pretty depressed till this week. Just little ways God showed His continued goodness.
Thursday was really fun. I fetched water from the river with Cherub and carried it back up the hill on my head! She's much better than I am...and was somehow able to balance the huge jerry can without her hands!!! Oh man. Hardcore for sure. Then I had the pleasure of watching my mom slaughter the beautiful rooster that had been chillin at the house all week...then helped her pluck the feathers off and begin to prepare it for cooking. We then ate it a few hours later. So sad. For lunch my dad came home and brought a visitor who was very eager to interact with a Muzungu. (Typical) He was very nice, with lots of questions, and it was refreshing to be eating lunch with people rather than by myself. After lunch my dad took me on an EPIC hike up to the highest point of Kaptchorwa. This (again in an ankle-length skirt) involved legit rock climbing up the side of the mountain. Even more hardcore were the people climbing with huge bags of flour or cabbage or milk on their heads! Woah man. Beautiful view again, and after we got to visit Megan at her house and take some tea. Then we went to the Bishops house for dinner - who is my dad's brother. Took tea again, and had more lively discussions involving many questions about the US.
Friday I was reluctant to leave, but also ready to be back with white people.
We spent the weekend at Sipi Falls - reunited with both the IMME and USE group - as well as some Ugandan Honors College students from UCU. SO FUN! It was so nice to swap stories and relax and laugh and make jokes people could understand, and just be at ease with friends. We also went on some intense and sweet hike up to waterfalls - and even got to jump in and swim for a bit! We even played a game of rocks (spoons the card game but African style) which was crazy funny. The weekend was seriously such a blessing - and made me even more grateful for the friends I have made here - and am continuing to make.
Oh and let's not forget the bed bugs I brought with me from Kaptchorwa! Too funny. I have a ridiculous number of bites...but think I have successfully rid myself of them - Praise the Lord.
And this is random but nonetheless important - I had the immense pleasure of helping my neighbour/brother (back in Mukono) Samuel with his chemistry homework two nights ago! What a treasure. I've been thinking about just what it is I want to do with my life and this was a strange affirmation of my passion for chemistry and possibly for teaching. Just another cool God thing.
I have been so encouraged by the ways God has been working in this group. Thanks so much for all of your prayers! I love and miss you all!! Take care. Be blessed.
First of all Kaptchorwa is BEAUTIFUL! It is in the mountains, with fields everywhere and hills and waterfalls and amazing hikes. Hikes were probably my favorite part of the week. We got there Friday night...Saturday my host father (a very kind primary school teacher, and translator at the church and for a radio station) took me on what he called a "short walk". This ended up including hiking a mountain...in a long skirt and sandals. Gotta love it. It was really nice though - we had a great view of town and home and on the way down greeted every family we passed (I had to learn to greet in the language quickly). The families were always friends and often relatives in some way. Sunday was church - about a 45 minute walk away. It was a typical Ugandan Anglican service...which are interesting and need a whole blog of their own... After church we were invited to lunch my a couple in the church. They hosted both my family and another family who was hosting a student (cooincidentally Megan - the girl I live with in Mukono - so it was really fun to see her and have lunch). Monday also included a hike with my cousin Cherub. It was incredible. We went up to the falls and frolicked through the tall trees - I seriously felt like Pochantas! It was nice to spend one-on-one time with her and talk while we hiked. She is 19 and SO nice - it was interesting to hear the questions her and my family had about the US...lots of stereotypes that aren't true AT ALL!
One frustrating thing through the week was my family not believing me about alot of things. Not a big deal really - but after a while it was a bit annoying. Things like the fact that it was colder at home than it was there (it was cool at night which was a welcome relief from Mukono but still barely sweatshirt worthy), the fact that we had mountains and that I wasn't afriad to climb them, and lots of polictics. It was fun to sit and chat with my dad about these things though, and just interesting the view they had of the US.
Tuesday and Wednesday were the hardest days for me. I literally did not leave the compound of our house and just sat around with my sister, Charity (9). She is really nice, but couldn't move around much because she is in a full leg cast. It was fun to play games with her and talk about stuff, but after 14 hours a day I was a little stir crazy. It also didn't help that my mom and Cherub were working around the compound all day...but refused my help anytime I offered it. I thought about home WAY more than I have being in Uganda...and then was frustrated with myself in that. But God totally worked through it and proved ways He was faithful in that. For example Tuesday night my parents both mentioned something about how grateful they were that I could be there with Cherub since she had just gotten out of the hospital a week ago (after 3 months) and had been pretty depressed till this week. Just little ways God showed His continued goodness.
Thursday was really fun. I fetched water from the river with Cherub and carried it back up the hill on my head! She's much better than I am...and was somehow able to balance the huge jerry can without her hands!!! Oh man. Hardcore for sure. Then I had the pleasure of watching my mom slaughter the beautiful rooster that had been chillin at the house all week...then helped her pluck the feathers off and begin to prepare it for cooking. We then ate it a few hours later. So sad. For lunch my dad came home and brought a visitor who was very eager to interact with a Muzungu. (Typical) He was very nice, with lots of questions, and it was refreshing to be eating lunch with people rather than by myself. After lunch my dad took me on an EPIC hike up to the highest point of Kaptchorwa. This (again in an ankle-length skirt) involved legit rock climbing up the side of the mountain. Even more hardcore were the people climbing with huge bags of flour or cabbage or milk on their heads! Woah man. Beautiful view again, and after we got to visit Megan at her house and take some tea. Then we went to the Bishops house for dinner - who is my dad's brother. Took tea again, and had more lively discussions involving many questions about the US.
Friday I was reluctant to leave, but also ready to be back with white people.
We spent the weekend at Sipi Falls - reunited with both the IMME and USE group - as well as some Ugandan Honors College students from UCU. SO FUN! It was so nice to swap stories and relax and laugh and make jokes people could understand, and just be at ease with friends. We also went on some intense and sweet hike up to waterfalls - and even got to jump in and swim for a bit! We even played a game of rocks (spoons the card game but African style) which was crazy funny. The weekend was seriously such a blessing - and made me even more grateful for the friends I have made here - and am continuing to make.
Oh and let's not forget the bed bugs I brought with me from Kaptchorwa! Too funny. I have a ridiculous number of bites...but think I have successfully rid myself of them - Praise the Lord.
And this is random but nonetheless important - I had the immense pleasure of helping my neighbour/brother (back in Mukono) Samuel with his chemistry homework two nights ago! What a treasure. I've been thinking about just what it is I want to do with my life and this was a strange affirmation of my passion for chemistry and possibly for teaching. Just another cool God thing.
I have been so encouraged by the ways God has been working in this group. Thanks so much for all of your prayers! I love and miss you all!! Take care. Be blessed.
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