Thursday 22 November 2012
Ugandan Thanksgiving
Ugandan Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving America!
I've learned that one of the best ways to truly appreciate a holiday is by celebrating from afar. A bunch of us Peace Corps trainees and Volunteers are getting together for one of my favourite meals. Turkey is difficult and expensive to come by here, so we'll be feasting on chicken. Some folks have volunteered to cook some favorites like garlic mashed potatoes, green beans and stuffed squash.
I'm still recovering from a serious bout of food poisoning, but nothing can get me down enough to refuse Thanksgiving!
We had an amazing feast, complete with skits of pilgrims and Indians, games and lots of dessert on the Peace Corps compound.
Sunday 18 November 2012
Here in Uganda!
After a marathon journey from Philadelphia to JFK (in the middle of the night), to Johannesburg after a 16 hour flight, Kampala after a 4 hour flight, and finally a two hour, excruciatingly bumpy ride (esp when you have to pee) to our Learning Centre, we made it to Uganda. We left Philadelphia at 2am on Wednesday and arrived at our final destination (for now) at 11pm Thursday evening. Yeah.
But the following morning...welcome to Paradise!
I cannot stress how incredibly beautiful it is here. Everything is so green and lush, it feels like the garden of Eden. As I look out I can see green hills covered in banana trees and other lush (and delicious) fruit trees.
We are staying at a Centre about 2 hrs from Kampala that is a learning centre for organic farming initiatives. The best way to describe it is like a youth centre, with dorms and big rooms for lectures and projects. We will stay here for 11 days or so, and then move to our schools for more training. Thursday we will celebrate Thanksgiving with some fellow PCVs. Who even knows what will be on the menu.
We walked around the compound yesterday and saw bright yellow birds humming around nests in a tree branch, exotic sounds that come from the jungle that surrounds us, and big friendly smiles from the lovely Ugandan people who are welcoming us to their country.
We are learning all about Ugandan customs, as well as a bit of Lugandan to get us started in our language training (most of us will be learning another language based on where we are placed in the country). The food is also delicious, we've had freshly slaughtered goats and chickens daily and the quality (and taste) is delicious. We eat this meat with a bit of plaintains or noodles, and always fresh fruit (from the local garden) for dessert.
I'm looking forward to learning more about my site and about the work I'll be doing here. I'm also excited to teach again!
All is well!
But the following morning...welcome to Paradise!
I cannot stress how incredibly beautiful it is here. Everything is so green and lush, it feels like the garden of Eden. As I look out I can see green hills covered in banana trees and other lush (and delicious) fruit trees.
We are staying at a Centre about 2 hrs from Kampala that is a learning centre for organic farming initiatives. The best way to describe it is like a youth centre, with dorms and big rooms for lectures and projects. We will stay here for 11 days or so, and then move to our schools for more training. Thursday we will celebrate Thanksgiving with some fellow PCVs. Who even knows what will be on the menu.
We walked around the compound yesterday and saw bright yellow birds humming around nests in a tree branch, exotic sounds that come from the jungle that surrounds us, and big friendly smiles from the lovely Ugandan people who are welcoming us to their country.
We are learning all about Ugandan customs, as well as a bit of Lugandan to get us started in our language training (most of us will be learning another language based on where we are placed in the country). The food is also delicious, we've had freshly slaughtered goats and chickens daily and the quality (and taste) is delicious. We eat this meat with a bit of plaintains or noodles, and always fresh fruit (from the local garden) for dessert.
I'm looking forward to learning more about my site and about the work I'll be doing here. I'm also excited to teach again!
All is well!
Sunday 11 November 2012
Pre-PC Preparations
It's difficult to prepare yourself for a major life change, to appreciate electricity and running hot water in all its glory. I spent a wonderful six weeks (between moving back from Australia, and spending a month séjour in France) at home trying to prepare for a 27-month service project in Uganda (keyword: trying).
The most important thing I found was not actually running to Target, or checking last-minute lists, but spending as much time as possible with the ones I love. We threw a fabulous going-away party, probably with the most random theme ever imagined. It was a "Downton Abbey-meets-Thanksgiving-meets-Uganda"...pretty awesome. Our gorgeous friends and family arrived all dolled up like the beloved characters from Downton Abbey, and we said our goodbyes for now. I'll be back in two years!
Unfortunately it could be goodbye forever with my grandmother, who suffered a stroke two months ago and wasn't well my last week at home. I couldn't think of a worse time to lose a relative, especially one that has been such a huge influence in my life. But then I think, perhaps it is a good time for her leave this world and on to another. At least I got to spend time with her before we both leave.
The most important thing I found was not actually running to Target, or checking last-minute lists, but spending as much time as possible with the ones I love. We threw a fabulous going-away party, probably with the most random theme ever imagined. It was a "Downton Abbey-meets-Thanksgiving-meets-Uganda"...pretty awesome. Our gorgeous friends and family arrived all dolled up like the beloved characters from Downton Abbey, and we said our goodbyes for now. I'll be back in two years!
Unfortunately it could be goodbye forever with my grandmother, who suffered a stroke two months ago and wasn't well my last week at home. I couldn't think of a worse time to lose a relative, especially one that has been such a huge influence in my life. But then I think, perhaps it is a good time for her leave this world and on to another. At least I got to spend time with her before we both leave.
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