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Just too back track a bit…..On Friday April 30th, the first Friday we spent in Masaka, we went to the weekly market.That was a real shell shocker, so to say.We definitely stuck out like tacky tourists with our camera's snapping pictures and traveling in a mob of 8!I have to admit, I was guilty of walking around taking pictures.The market was extremely packed.The streets were filled with people selling and buying fruits, veggies, plastic sandals, woven baskets and other imported items from china.A lot of the stuff was the same from vendor to vendor.Lots of clothes for sale - many with Value Village tags on it.Value Village sends their unsold items by the bulk load to Africa and sells it to vendors.It was funny to see the VV Boutique tags on it - and even funnier when the vendors would try to sell you the clothes for more money than what the VV tag said - and this is only because we are Muzungos.The idea is to bargain with everything; you never pay the asking price.I have been getting better and better at bargaining over these past 3 weeks here.Last weekend I bargained my ass off and bought three very nice skirts.I did get lots of pictures at the market, and that will probably be the only time I will have taken pictures at the market.When I arrived to CRO the Monday after one of the staff said that she saw us there and mentioned the "picture taking."
While at the market we were discussing how we should find this brother of a doctor that Mitra sees back at home.She said that the doctor at home gave her his brother's name and number as he lives in Masaka and encouraged us to call him.While at the market we just happened to run into him.He started talking to our group, a very nice man that speaks perfect English.He was very interested to hear about where we have come from and what we are doing.At the end of the conversation it turned out that he was the man we were going to look for - and by the way - "coincidences" have been happening to all of us regularly here!So this kind man, Ali, is the caretaker of a beautiful Mosque in the village, and he invited our group to visit the next day for some tea.So the following day, after language training with Bridgette, we got ready and walked 20 minutes to his Mosque.I also took lots of pictures - it had a beautiful presence to it.For 'tea' Ali prepared for us a 3 course meal.Apparently that is what 'tea' means when you visit him.And he seems to be always inviting people for dinner to his residence at the Mosque.He told us the history of the Mosque and how during Idi Amin times it was destroyed.But he was the one that came back after the expulsion and he rebuilt it.It is purely a sanctuary hidden away from the busy, noisy town.It is filled with beautiful trees and flowering bushes and attracts many pretty birds.I am pretty sure the four of us will go back again before we leave.
On May 2nd , when the 8 of us were together, we went on our first safari to Lake Mburo.It was a rainy day, so it could possibly be have more enjoyable, but never the less it was amazing.It took approx 1 hour to reach the park and we had to drive for approx 30 minutes down this deserted, dirt road full of pot holes and big puddles.Right before we reached the gates to the park we spotted families of wild zebras! They seem to be more beautiful here in the open as opposed to back home in our zoo.It was a great experience.We also saw more birds of different kinds than what we were already used to.Birds galore! During our drive into the park we saw cobs and other deer like animals - I did take lots of pictures!(Unfortunately it takes over 1 hour to upload 5 pictures on our computer).
We drove through the park to where the lake was and had a nice lunch over looking the lake.It was raining so it did dampen some things - but it was still amazing.There were wild monkeys roaming the scenes having fun, jumping on cars and trying to get in the garbage cans.They were so cute - they do look like that picture that I put on my last blog (which was not my picture, but one that I was able to choose from on the website).At this lake we took a boat ride around a good portion of the lake and spotted numerous hippos, eagles and again a variety of other beautiful birds (like King Fishers).We had a very nice tour guide who shared stories with us about the land.We spent a good two hours at this park and then head home.On a side note, one of the signs in the park said something about exploring the park with out an armed guard is not permitted.
On the following Friday, May 7th, the 8 of us head into the capital city of Uganda, Kampala.The journey felt like forever, but the drive was very nice.We had 2 personal drivers with us who stayed in Kampala for the weekend as well.It took approx 3 hours to drive into Kampala.We stopped in at the main tourist attraction along the way, the North / South equator.We took some pictures and looked through some of the vendors spaces.There were a couple kids standing on some grass and asked me to take their picture, with the little words they had.Then she wanted me to show them the picture.This is common here.As I brought the camera to them they quickly grabbed onto me and asked me for money.I shook my head and walked away.Unfortunately that is what they are used to from the muzungo's that pass through there.It may sound harsh that I just walked away, but I have come to the understanding before I arrived that it is not smart to give money in situations like that.So I don't.
Kampala was very busy and not like or little Masaka town at all.The atmosphere seemed smoggy from all of the cars and the main streets were bumper to bumper.People are all around and lots of people are walking along the streets coming up to your car window trying to sell things like: belts, board games, gun holsters and other random items.It was the first time for me to see people asking for money.Women were coming up to the cars with babies on their backs requesting financial support and there were people with missing limbs sitting on the street with their hats out.It kind of felt like home.I need to mention that during my time in Kampala I felt rather exhausted from our tight time budget due to all the things we need to do, so my feelings around visiting Kampala were a little tainted.I really missed Masaka and was looking forward to coming back to our house - and so where the other girls.But we did do a couple amazing things while in Kampala.On Saturday morning we got up early (after sleeping in a filthy hostel with cockroaches, bed bugs & mice) and head off to Jinja.Jinja is around 1 hour away from Kampala and while in Jinja we visited Bujagali Falls - which is a part of the Nile.We spent some time on our own there just sitting on the rocks over looking these breathe taking water falls.While I was sitting there I saw a variety of pretty butterflies and dragonflies - of all sizes.Again there were different birds, all over the place.There were also people rafting down the falls, which looked like a lot of fun!
After the falls we went to a park which is known as the source of the Nile, where the Nile meets Lake Victoria on its journey to the Mediterranean.(I will see more of the Nile when I visit Egypt in a month from now!)At this point we saw where Mahatma Gandhi had a portion of his ashes placed - another monument!There was also a tourist market to satisfy our shopping needs (I love to shop at markets for those who don't already know).At this market I bought a beautiful, big, blue wrap along with a blue cloth purse.I love them both!At both of these places we went to in Jinja there were a lot of other muzungo's.It felt different to be at a tourist like place where I felt like we didn't stand out like sore thumbs anymore.
The following day we said our goodbyes to our professors as they head back and we head back into our home town, Masaka.It did feel like a long and exhausting journey into Kampala, but it was worth it.Unfortunately I felt like we did not really enjoy the city like we could have.Perhaps we will spend a little time there again before we part.
The week of May 10th to the 14th I did not go to CRO because the staff had taken the kids on a week long camping trip.(I have decided to put work related stuff on the Uganda Blog and explorations and personal stuff on this one).So for that week I hung out with the other girls at their placements.I spent a bit of time at the hospital and some time at Tekra Resource Center.The hospital seems to be filled with stories of not enough money to help prolong lives in almost every ward there.
This past weekend, May 15th / 16th we just hung around the house.We had decided that we did not want to plan any trip or excursion and that we just all wanted to rest and take it easy.I did walk into the market / town on Friday, Saturday & Sunday for something to do.While in the market I practiced my bargaining skills and bought some nice skirts.Over this past weekend I did try chicken and beef for the first time since I have been here.I will not do it again.Two of the other girls are happy with the chicken and beef and will continue to eat it, but it did not jive with me so I will continue to be a vegetarian while I am here.
We are eating very well here.I kept hearing from previous groups that they lost weight, but I am not sure if that will be the case for our group.Lucky for me the three wonderful women I am with all enjoy to cook - and even bake!So on most nights we have fresh cooked meals that usually involved lots of veggies, rice or chapatti and fruits.Maybe I will loose some pounds from all the healthy food.Since meat is not always readily available (unless we walk into town and have someone kill & skin a chicken like last weekend) we eat veggie style.The market also sells beef.There is a part of the town that has lots of beef vendors.The beef pretty much hangs up outside on a big hook and they have sharp knives and meat grinders in the back.A person will walk by and say "that piece please" and so it will be.Its not for me at all.The one time I did try the beef I thought it tasted like how the meat market smells, which to me is not appetizing.But I do make sure the drink my protein and veggie shakes during the week along with taking my multivitamins.I have recently tried the yoghurt here and really enjoy it for breakfast.Like I said, we eat well.And when we don't feel like cooking and cleaning at home, or walking into town for the veggies we go up or down the street and eat at a café or hotel.The food, at even the expensive places, is relatively cheap in comparison to what we pay at home.
Overall I am having a really good time here.We are discussing going to Rwanda this weekend and leaving tomorrow night (Thursday, May 20th).We will discuss this over dinner tonight.We are trying to plan the rest of our weekends now as we only have 5 more weekends left until I fly the coupe to Abu Dabi to see my good friend Niki.These next 5 weeks are going to fly by - I can't even believe that I only have 5 weeks left until I start out on another adventure.
I have been saddened to hear about the devastating news in Greece.The country is going bankrupt, there have been 2 bombings in the past week and over 20,000 (!) hotel rooms have been cancelled.It is very unfortunate for the country and both Noah and I as that is where we were first going to meet up and stay for 2 weeks.We will wait closer to the date and then decide what to do.His flight has already been cancelled because his airline has completely stopped flying into Athens for the time being.
Well friends, again, I really appreciate all the feedback and questions.I feel like there is so much more to share - I will write more again soon.I have also just put a lengthy report on my Uganda Blog so make sure to check that out as well.
Oh ya - I ate grasshoppers this week for the first time and unfortunately they were not covered in chocolate! And we are still showering on our knees!
I love you all!
Adriana
- comments
Hannah Hey Adriana. It's sooo good to read some of your blog finally. I haven't gotten to it now. I'm going to go to the uganda project one next. Read your facebook update about the bombing in rwanda! I liked Cassie's comment. :)
Hannah Hey Adriana. It's sooo good to read some of your blog finally. I haven't gotten to it until now. I'm going to go to the uganda project one next. I read your facebook update about the bombing in rwanda! I liked Cassie's comment. :)
Grampa Bill Hi Adriana. Enjoying your blog This my first crack at a reply. I sent a copy to Jo and hope she gets back to you. She is finally finished her work at the Movie. Miss you and send our love
Diane Good day Beautiful -- thanks for sharing -- miss your beautiful energy -- keep writing i will keep reading Love and good energy to you Diane
Sarjeet Adriana: I miss you! I was Finally able to enjoy reading all about your journey! Thank you for sharing. Debbie often keeps me in the loop. Take care of yourself! Sarjeet