Kampala, Training, and Host Family

Dear friends,

Sorry for the delay in updating my blog – my schedule's been pretty well packed and internet access is somewhat scarce and slow.  Here's what I've been up to lately.

We spent several days at the training center, doing basic language skills, introduction to Peace Corps training, some medical things (shots, paperwork) and lots of getting to know our fellow trainees.  On Sunday, August 9 we went to Kampala (the capital city) to get to know the city – know how to use public transportation, where is a safe place to stay, etc…

Here are some things I saw:

·      Kirk Franklin is coming to Uganda sometime in the coming months, according to a billboard

·      Religion is very open: saw a "Trust in God Electronics" store… I love God and all, but "Trust in God" the diagnosis I want to here from my electronics tech, if you know what I mean J

·      Cell phone ads and stores everywhere.  There are 5 or 6 fiercely competing companies, and its one of the fastest growing markets in Africa.  All plans are prepaid, so you buy a phone then can buy airtime cards at just about every store in the country.

·      It's weird adjusting to driving on the left side of the road.

·      Lots of microfinance agencies, with billboards on the side of the road!  Somebody look up "Pride microfinance" and "Equity Bank" here in Uganda and let me know if they're any good.

·      Children begging, a-la slumdog millionaire (remember the place jamal ran away from cuz they wanted to blind him?)  I asked our guide, and he said it wasn't centrally organized by someone making money off of kids – just desperate mothers – but these 1 and 2 and 3 year old kids – some of them barely old enough to walk, some with distended bellies, sit staring up with arms held out and aloft, begging for money.  Some of them are so small I nearly tripped over them. It was very sad.

Then on Monday we moved to another training center.  All 43 volunteers are with host families, which was an experience to say the least.  I'm with a Pentacostal pastor and his family, which have been most welcoming.  It's difficult having to learn how to live all over again ( you never know how much you rely on routine until you don't have it anymore.  Never have I had to think so much about a shower:  where do I get water?  How do I heat it?  What container to I use?  What do I wear to walk to the bathing area?  Where do I hang my clothes?  What's the best way to rinse off?  It'll get easier as I get the hang of it)

We're in intensive language study for 12 hours a week or so, and I'm learning Luganda (which means my assignment will be in the central area of the country, near-ish the capital for all you planning visits).  It's a great, beautiful language and I'm learning quickly. 

Barack Obama and Michael Jackson are sources of great pride and mourning, respectively.  My host family went nuts over the pic of me shaking Obama's hand, and were impressed I endured -20 degrees Celsius to see the inauguration (they watched every minute on tv).  And I swear my host brother was gonna go cry and listen to old MJ hits when he mentioned how sad he was MJ was dead.

I just got my bike today, so that was an adventure.  It's a nifty mountain bike – makes the commute a lot faster. 

That's all for now.  If you're lucky, I'll share some pictures soon.