Look closely...they are still alive:)
Friday, August 24, 2007
FINALLY! I can upload pictures!
Hello:) I found out that the size of the pictures are too large..I will shrink up many pictures this weekend and show you more.
MISS YOU ALL VERY MUCH:'(
There is a first for everything!
I have never seen it with my eyes, nor have I ever heard of it, but I have found culture that refrains from polluting its lungs with cancer causing tars! Ugandans do not smoke! I have not seen one cigarette butt on the ground, an ashtray, cigarette vendors, or one single Ugandan smoking. I have seen TWO individuals puffing, but guess what? THEY were MUZUNGU’S! (Foreign).
I actually talked to Tusu about it this evening and he told me that it is now illegial to smoke in public places. He said years ago it was more common for people to smoke, but it has faded out. I am not one that enjoys going to bars, but apparently it is more common to see people smoking at night.
No Smokey smell, no disgusting cigarette pollution, no hacking, no coughing when walking through a crowd…hummm could I get used to this?
Could North American learn a thing or two from Uganda?
I actually talked to Tusu about it this evening and he told me that it is now illegial to smoke in public places. He said years ago it was more common for people to smoke, but it has faded out. I am not one that enjoys going to bars, but apparently it is more common to see people smoking at night.
No Smokey smell, no disgusting cigarette pollution, no hacking, no coughing when walking through a crowd…hummm could I get used to this?
Could North American learn a thing or two from Uganda?
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Uganda and Marriage!
In the morning when I leave Tusu’s home I take a short cut to the main road. Along this short cut I seem to have acquired a group of, perhaps I could call them followers! These little children range from the ages of 3 to 10. They have huge smiles on there face and loud, carrying little voices. They scream “Hello! Muzungu! How are you? Where are you going? See you, Muzungu!” Now, heaven forbid I forget to say hi to one of them or not see another off in the distance, they say hello over and over again!
This morning, someone even asked me “Hello Muzungu, where is your mother?”
I have begun to notice some similarities among Ugandan life and married life! (I think my Ugandan friends will find this comical!)
Life in Uganda, so far, seems quite relaxed…things happen on African time. (As I mentioned earlier…that means tomorrow, the next day, something like that, maybe!)
As you all know by now, I have been anxiously awaiting to move into my Ugandan home…and I keep asking people if they know of any self contained flats, apartments or houses. Many people eagerly respond and tell me that they will call me tomorrow with news…I am still waiting...this is not only with the apartment hunting, its with school too…but I am completely fine with it because when I miss a “deadline” I am going to say oh, I promise, it will come tomorrow!!
NOW---how is this like marriage? Laundry, dishes, dinner, mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, getting the mail, groceries, etc…The answer is the same “later”…but guess what? It never happens!!!!!
This morning, someone even asked me “Hello Muzungu, where is your mother?”
I have begun to notice some similarities among Ugandan life and married life! (I think my Ugandan friends will find this comical!)
Life in Uganda, so far, seems quite relaxed…things happen on African time. (As I mentioned earlier…that means tomorrow, the next day, something like that, maybe!)
As you all know by now, I have been anxiously awaiting to move into my Ugandan home…and I keep asking people if they know of any self contained flats, apartments or houses. Many people eagerly respond and tell me that they will call me tomorrow with news…I am still waiting...this is not only with the apartment hunting, its with school too…but I am completely fine with it because when I miss a “deadline” I am going to say oh, I promise, it will come tomorrow!!
NOW---how is this like marriage? Laundry, dishes, dinner, mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, getting the mail, groceries, etc…The answer is the same “later”…but guess what? It never happens!!!!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Oh where oh where is my apartment?
I thought I would share a little about how fun things are here...
I went to see the head of my department the other day. I asked him when classes were starting and this is what he told me...
"Jenny, you are in Africa now, things happen slowly. There is not a rush to get things done. DON'T WORRY...CLASSES WILL START SOON...SOMETIME TOMORROW, NEXT WEEK, OR SO...MAYBE"
Ok...that is fine...things happen slower:) I am still waiting to find out when the orientation is, where the classes are, when they begin, how is teaching them, what time they are...and the official day to start classes was yesterday. It's ok, I am waiting...
As for my apartment...I was so strong on stating that I want to live alone...and everywhere I go I see apartments that are $800-$1000 and I can't come to terms with that. Now, I am looking for a house...that has 2 rooms that I can share with Elle, the other Rotary Scholar...because houses are more common-and local Ugandas are paying around 150-200$ a month for them. BUT, if I show up...HAHAHA the price becomes 400-500-600-700$$$$ love it:)
Then there are the taxi's and boda-boda's (a motorcycle taxi) imagine traffic, bikes, people, chickens, cows, and whatever on the street going fast, slow, all over the place...then picture me sitting on the back of this motorcyle, whose driver could very well be an Olympian or F-1 driver, dodging in and out of the cars, trucks, chickens...it is a hair raising experience that is highly additive...although I am worried that my leg will get ripped off if he happened to get just a sliver closer to anything/one else...
The drivers try to make money out of the Muzungu's...(white tourists) so it should cost about 1,500 (90cents u.s) BUT when I try to get on them they tell me its 5,000 (3.00) OK so I admit its not going to make me poor, but I get bothered by the fact that I am constantly expected to single handly raise the economy of Uganda...Atleast hey try...I just laugh and shake my head...I wont even bargin...I just move on to the next one. Now, I always go to the same spot to get on the boda boda and one of the men is very nice...he takes me where I want to go and doesn't seem to be ripping me off! so I give him tips:)
I am just so anxious to get into my new home...I want to be able to go shopping and buy some little decorations and make my place my own. I have seen these woven carpets that are so beautiful, these wooden masks, wall hangings ...etc... Then I get to go food shopping and find new fun vegetables and fruits to experiment with. I heard that they even have the food network here...wow that would be so much fun:) I cant wait to be baking and trying new concoctions!
Oh...so I was asking how much it costs for food....beef is $2.00 a KILO
3 Mango's cost 1000 shillings (60cents)
Bananas -the short sweet ones for a huge bunch with like 20 of them costs about 75 cents.
What is really nice is that here (unlike China) it is very easy to buy flour, baking soda, baking powder...so i can make cakes and muffins and breads....
ummmmmmmmmmmmm...now I am hungry.
Is anyone coming to visit me, so I can cook for them?
Till next time,
P.S. I will upload pictures as soon as I can get my apartment and use my laptop. I can't upload from here. So, because I am in Africa that might be...sometime soon, next week or something...maybe.HAHA
I went to see the head of my department the other day. I asked him when classes were starting and this is what he told me...
"Jenny, you are in Africa now, things happen slowly. There is not a rush to get things done. DON'T WORRY...CLASSES WILL START SOON...SOMETIME TOMORROW, NEXT WEEK, OR SO...MAYBE"
Ok...that is fine...things happen slower:) I am still waiting to find out when the orientation is, where the classes are, when they begin, how is teaching them, what time they are...and the official day to start classes was yesterday. It's ok, I am waiting...
As for my apartment...I was so strong on stating that I want to live alone...and everywhere I go I see apartments that are $800-$1000 and I can't come to terms with that. Now, I am looking for a house...that has 2 rooms that I can share with Elle, the other Rotary Scholar...because houses are more common-and local Ugandas are paying around 150-200$ a month for them. BUT, if I show up...HAHAHA the price becomes 400-500-600-700$$$$ love it:)
Then there are the taxi's and boda-boda's (a motorcycle taxi) imagine traffic, bikes, people, chickens, cows, and whatever on the street going fast, slow, all over the place...then picture me sitting on the back of this motorcyle, whose driver could very well be an Olympian or F-1 driver, dodging in and out of the cars, trucks, chickens...it is a hair raising experience that is highly additive...although I am worried that my leg will get ripped off if he happened to get just a sliver closer to anything/one else...
The drivers try to make money out of the Muzungu's...(white tourists) so it should cost about 1,500 (90cents u.s) BUT when I try to get on them they tell me its 5,000 (3.00) OK so I admit its not going to make me poor, but I get bothered by the fact that I am constantly expected to single handly raise the economy of Uganda...Atleast hey try...I just laugh and shake my head...I wont even bargin...I just move on to the next one. Now, I always go to the same spot to get on the boda boda and one of the men is very nice...he takes me where I want to go and doesn't seem to be ripping me off! so I give him tips:)
I am just so anxious to get into my new home...I want to be able to go shopping and buy some little decorations and make my place my own. I have seen these woven carpets that are so beautiful, these wooden masks, wall hangings ...etc... Then I get to go food shopping and find new fun vegetables and fruits to experiment with. I heard that they even have the food network here...wow that would be so much fun:) I cant wait to be baking and trying new concoctions!
Oh...so I was asking how much it costs for food....beef is $2.00 a KILO
3 Mango's cost 1000 shillings (60cents)
Bananas -the short sweet ones for a huge bunch with like 20 of them costs about 75 cents.
What is really nice is that here (unlike China) it is very easy to buy flour, baking soda, baking powder...so i can make cakes and muffins and breads....
ummmmmmmmmmmmm...now I am hungry.
Is anyone coming to visit me, so I can cook for them?
Till next time,
P.S. I will upload pictures as soon as I can get my apartment and use my laptop. I can't upload from here. So, because I am in Africa that might be...sometime soon, next week or something...maybe.HAHA
Friday, August 17, 2007
Food For Thought!
I think it is safe to say that the jet lag is just about over. It is a bit of a hard adjustment because this summer in Shilo it got dark at around 10:30 pm and the sun came up around 6:00. Here in Kampala, it gets dark around 6 p.m. and the sun is rising at around 6 am. I find myself going to sleep around 9pm and waking with the sun at 6am.
It is hard to write these blogs because there are so many things that are fun and interesting to write about, and well as you all know, I am a talker…so if I could I would tell you EVERYTHING!
I think, I will start with the basics…so PLEASE, if there is a “topic” that you would like me to inform you about don’t hesitate…(I am sure Dad and uncle Doug have great ideas!) Leslie…recipes to send you soon!
Tonight, I am going to tell you about FOOD!
Many differences here: (Based on what I have eaten so far!)
Breakfast (although I am not sure if typical because both Tusu and his wife Dorca work, so this might vary from family to family)
I have coffee, toast, and FRESH fruit. Just delicious! Mango, Pineapple, Bananas and Popo…that local for Papaya!
***Side note***---THERE ARE OVER 25 VARITIES OF BANANAS (well I think that should be a blog entry in itself!)
Lunch and Dinner are usual quite similar, but lunch is served at around 1pm and dinner is at 9pm…YES, that is NOT a typo. Here in Uganda, families eat dinner at 9pm and then go to bed!!!! My dreams have been wild.
Ugandans eat a lot of Matoke…Matoke is from the banana family. The fruit is taken from the peeling and placed in banana leaves, wrapped up tight, steamed for a while, then smashed and pressed while still in the leaves, and then steamed some more. Now, it is very delicious, but it takes some getting used to because it is very thick.
Then, there is either rice or potatoes (served in various forms mashed or “Irish”)
A dish that has a broth or juice such as baked beans or peas in a broth.
Then meat, so far I have had chicken stew, beef stew, and fried chicken (not battered). ***another side note*** the chicken meat is not purchased all cut up…you actually buy the whole chicken, naked or with feathers, and then the butcher/hacker just cuts up the entire bird…so you are left with pieces of the chicken that still have the bone attached…so nothing is really wasted.
They also have squash (yum), plantains (a sweet form of banana cut into chunks…cooked), Chapat (Sp??) formed like a pancake, without the rising…perhaps just flour and water than fried, cabbage cut thin, greens, sweet potatoes etc…
The broth of the stews, beans, peas etc… is used to pour over the Matoke, potatoes/rice to cut up the starchiness, used like we would a gravy at home.
The purple sauce I mentioned the other day are actually peanuts that are ground and smashed until they form a liquid. It is very good.
Delicious? Absolutely! Carb conscious? Absolutely not! This food is amazing and I have asked the lady who cooks dinner at Tusu’s home to teach me, so this weekend, I am going to take some cooking lessons from Mama Roca
I guarantee you would love Ugandan food (especially men)…it is very hearty and full of flavor.
Oh and drinks! Fresh juice…passion fruit, lime, lemon, orange…picked, squeezed, and served.
Have a great day and please leave me a comment as to what I should write next!
(Sorry..I have tried to 2 hours to uplaod pictures and it is not working...I will try again later)
It is hard to write these blogs because there are so many things that are fun and interesting to write about, and well as you all know, I am a talker…so if I could I would tell you EVERYTHING!
I think, I will start with the basics…so PLEASE, if there is a “topic” that you would like me to inform you about don’t hesitate…(I am sure Dad and uncle Doug have great ideas!) Leslie…recipes to send you soon!
Tonight, I am going to tell you about FOOD!
Many differences here: (Based on what I have eaten so far!)
Breakfast (although I am not sure if typical because both Tusu and his wife Dorca work, so this might vary from family to family)
I have coffee, toast, and FRESH fruit. Just delicious! Mango, Pineapple, Bananas and Popo…that local for Papaya!
***Side note***---THERE ARE OVER 25 VARITIES OF BANANAS (well I think that should be a blog entry in itself!)
Lunch and Dinner are usual quite similar, but lunch is served at around 1pm and dinner is at 9pm…YES, that is NOT a typo. Here in Uganda, families eat dinner at 9pm and then go to bed!!!! My dreams have been wild.
Ugandans eat a lot of Matoke…Matoke is from the banana family. The fruit is taken from the peeling and placed in banana leaves, wrapped up tight, steamed for a while, then smashed and pressed while still in the leaves, and then steamed some more. Now, it is very delicious, but it takes some getting used to because it is very thick.
Then, there is either rice or potatoes (served in various forms mashed or “Irish”)
A dish that has a broth or juice such as baked beans or peas in a broth.
Then meat, so far I have had chicken stew, beef stew, and fried chicken (not battered). ***another side note*** the chicken meat is not purchased all cut up…you actually buy the whole chicken, naked or with feathers, and then the butcher/hacker just cuts up the entire bird…so you are left with pieces of the chicken that still have the bone attached…so nothing is really wasted.
They also have squash (yum), plantains (a sweet form of banana cut into chunks…cooked), Chapat (Sp??) formed like a pancake, without the rising…perhaps just flour and water than fried, cabbage cut thin, greens, sweet potatoes etc…
The broth of the stews, beans, peas etc… is used to pour over the Matoke, potatoes/rice to cut up the starchiness, used like we would a gravy at home.
The purple sauce I mentioned the other day are actually peanuts that are ground and smashed until they form a liquid. It is very good.
Delicious? Absolutely! Carb conscious? Absolutely not! This food is amazing and I have asked the lady who cooks dinner at Tusu’s home to teach me, so this weekend, I am going to take some cooking lessons from Mama Roca
I guarantee you would love Ugandan food (especially men)…it is very hearty and full of flavor.
Oh and drinks! Fresh juice…passion fruit, lime, lemon, orange…picked, squeezed, and served.
Have a great day and please leave me a comment as to what I should write next!
(Sorry..I have tried to 2 hours to uplaod pictures and it is not working...I will try again later)
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