Back in Uganda, summer 2010!

I have arrived in Jinja, and looking forward to a great summer!! I am here early, and my team will arrive in about a week! I will spend the next few days settling in, getting organized, and preparing for the work we will do this summer. I am also going to take a few days to travel in Tanzania with my friend Becky, and arrive back in time to meet my team.

I have already had 2 big accomplishments, 2 things I have not done until now...although this is my 5th trip to Uganda.

The first? I drove!!! I had a friend pick me up at the airport in Entebbe, and with much encouragement, decided to drive us through Kampala and all the way to Jinja...about a 3-hour trip total. Yes, there were a few perilous times, including knocking a man's hand with the mirror as he walked in the crowded streets of Kampala, having the same mirror knocked by a passing boda (moped), and hitting a curb in a parking lot. The last may sound innocent enough, but was the tipping point for me after having several intense moments leading up to it. ha! Thankfully, my teacher was patient and calm, and BRAVE! Again, after much encouragement, I "got back on the bike" so-to-speak, and made it through Kampala and all the way to Jinja. I think my years driving in New York City definitely prepared me for the chaos and traffic of Kampala, but there is still something perilous and scary about being in a place without crosswalks, where they drive on the left, have very few lights, and amongst mopeds who are literally weaving in and out of traffic with no concern.

The second accomplishment? I cooked dinner and dessert on my own, without help, and without getting sick, here in Uganda. Again, big deal, right? Well, for those who know me at home, I don't cook alot as it is....not that I cannot cook, but that I choose not to most of the time. But, here there are no fast or pre-prepared options, so everything must be done by scratch. And, learning what is and is not available here is a challenge. And, when you can't drink the water, you have to be extra careful with how to prepare things.....I learned alot in February watching Lori and Rini cook dinner each night and was thoroughly impressed. But, until last night, had not tried it myself. Well, I did it, and had 2 native Ugandans for dinner, who both enjoyed it alot. What did I make? Baked ziti with my own version of homemade sauce....and apple crisp, a classic American dessert. It was great! I am proud and already thinking of what to cook next.

I am feeling very empowered at the moment. ha!