As other PCT's can attest to, it's unreal that training is more than halfway over. It seems like yesterday that 45 Americans flew 24 hours from Phili-Johannesburg-Entebbe. Now that immersion week is in our rear-view mirror, things are really starting to pick up. We are expected to begin fluently speaking our respective languages. We are also in the midst of planning and developing sustainable, self-exploration projects that will be presented to our trainers next week. We receive our official site placements next Thursday; I could end up anywhere as far southeast as Busia, as North as Gulu, or anywhere in-between (Sororti, Tororo, etc). The following week, we visit our sites to begin integrating into the community, scope out our new homes, visit our work sites, and get a feel for what our next two years will be like. These are exciting times for PCT's in Uganda!
Immersion week was everything I expected and more. It was great to finally do something practical, in the field, and away from the training site. Along with Becca, I visited Laura out west in the village of Kakabura, about an hour east of Fort Portal. Laura works at the Miryanta Orphanage Home. Not only did we meet and talk with the orphans, but within an hour of our arrival, they performed a 2-hour dance/song show for us. It earnestly was one of the most incredible things I have ever experienced. Becca and I also sat in on a staff meeting, visited a local health clinic, cooked pizza, and met up with other PCT's in Fort Portal for a pool party/clubbing. It was hands down the best week I've had here in Uganda! Pictures are on facebook.
MISCELLANEOUS:
1. As a result of Mefloquin, anti-malarial pills we have to take every week, I am starting to experience some of the medication's side-effects, for instance having 'vivid dreams' (most volunteers experience this). Coming from somebody who rarely remembers his dreams, I view Mefloquin as just something else that I have to adapt to as part of the Peace Corps experience.
2. If there's one thing that has not yet won me over in Uganda, it's the food. I have, at times, found myself craving American food. It's not that I dislike Ugandan food (except for matooke and posho), but rather that I need some variation in my diet.
3. I've been more-than-ready to move to site since week 2 of training. I think most trainees would agree with me on this.
4. I'm still trying to ascertain the best way to send mail out to the states. There is a local post office here in Wakiso, but I don't think it mails internationally. All PCT's who have mailed things out have done so from Kampala.
5. If you would like to send me something, here is a brief list of things I could use (thanks in advance!):
- AA/AAA/D batteries
- Pictures to hang up at site
- Maps (you can never have too many) to hang up at site
- Sports/news magazines
- Drink mix (lemonade, gatorade, fruit punch)
- Snack food
- Shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, bar soap
6. I have officially given up on the Red Sox chances of making the playoffs. Yes, I have been following. No, I am not distraught....yet.
More updates to come soon.
-Bryan
Hi Bryan, thanks for the update! It sounds like you're dealing with the Red Sox reality much better than your sister is :)
ReplyDeleteReally, your whole trip sounds like a vivid dream! I can only imagine what it must have been like to see the dance performance in Kakabura. I can appreciate how nice it must have been for you and the other PCTs to start to get a sense for what life might be like once you get your final placements.
Among people who grew up with Ugandan cuisine, do you think they also feel that it is monotonous, or do you think that they have a different sense of variety and taste? I could imagine it going either way. My impression is that plenty of Irish farmers were tired of potatoes and cabbage -- I think anybody would agree that variety is a good thing! But on the other hand I wonder if there are variations within the cuisine that you can only appreciate by growing up with it.
I'm also wondering if the short time you've had in Uganda so far has led you to rethink anything about life in America. I'm sure this will be the case over the course of two years, and once you are living at your final placement site. But, are there elements of American life that seem strange or unique from your new perspective in Uganda?
Hi Bryan!
ReplyDeleteYour updates are great! I am following and reading. That is so great that you're having an awesome time, you're learning a lot and meeting lots of people. Being with the host family sounds fun!
I miss you!!
Love,
Jaclyn
PS Mail will be coming soon (I hope)!
Also, what is your gmail address?
Thanks for the comments, guys.
ReplyDeleteFiery: I definitely agree with you that everything has seemed like a vivid dream, one in which I have not yet awoken from. Maybe when I move to site, and I am officially on my own, will I wake up for good. In terms of food variation amongst Ugandans, to be honest, it doesn't really exist. Ugandans are accustomed to eating matooke/posho (starch foods) and vegetables (cabbage, avocado,"greens", etc) for almost every meal. It's what they've grown up with and what they know. In other words, the Ugandan food diet is very different than what we know in America. Regarding any new perspectives I've had on American life, I think it is a little to early to tell. But definitely the food variety, sports other than soccer, and 'structure' (nothing happens on time here), as well as the 7-hour time difference, all seem very foreign to me. Living in a third-world country definitely leads you to reevaluate your life in America, and what is truly important/the many things that Americans take for granted.
Jaclyn: Great to hear from you! Look forward to receiving your mail. I'm still trying to figure out the mail system here in Uganda. Once I do, expect mail! Hope all is going well with your job. Gmail is bkobick@gmail.com.
Im a Peace Corps Volunteer in Namibia. Im about to finish my service here and we wanna do some traveling. We plan to be in Uganda some time after mid January. Were wondering if you could answer a few questions for us.
ReplyDeleteWe dont really know many people who have traveled up to Uganda, so we dont really have any leads.
What are the best things to do in Uganda?
How much are Visas? Is there any special process we need to know about when buying them?
Generally how much do food and travel cost?
Can you free hike, or is that too dangerous? If not what are the general forms of travel, combi, bus, trains, something else?
Where are the best places to stay?
What else should we know?
How many volunteers are there?
We would appreciate any help you could give us. Please write me back at natebloss@gmail.com if you have time.
Thanks,
Nate