Day 156

Friday September 27th, 2013

Today you could crown me with the title "Queen Bitch," and I would take it not only with a smile, but with happy tears in my eyes.

I sent the Kampala girl an email informing her of her poor deed. She promised to correct it on Monday. I felt like a complete bitch as I questioned her reasoning for not even mentioning me at all in the email concerning the page. She apologized and seemed to see where I was coming from, which I tried hard to do in the least bitchy way possible.

I'm not sure it came across that way.

I was also called last night about two PCVs coming to stay the night with me. Problem, which wasn't a problem then, but became a problem today when there was still no communication about their accommodations, with me. 

After I came from my failed attempts at corresponding with the police and the mayor, I was with another PCV who was staying the night that night at a local restaurant who actually had been in contact with the girls who were staying the night. 

I still had nothing. So I asked for the one's number, messaged her and asked what was up so I could plan my day as I hadn't heard anything. She then informed me that she figured everything was ok because the other PCV who isn't staying had asked for them last night. 

In what world? Especially when I have been introduced to you once and when I find my friend, you've been asking her directions of where I live. Don't you think you should be asking me these things? Just maybe?

So I told her I felt like a hotel and how she was taking advantage especially since we didn't really know each other. Instead of apologizing or feeling at all bad that I was made to feel that way, she instead told me that they didn't have to stay with me if it was a problem. 

I informed her at this point, that it may be best. Because no you don't have to stay with me. I was just being nice for nice sakes. Thank you for showing me what not to do next go round. 

Rude. 

The afternoon turned itself around when I was approached by some random Canadian who works for the organization that I have been trying to locate and link up with since nearly the beginning of my time here in Mbarara. 

Well there she was with all my answers and a working email and ahhh. I can breathe again. Discouragement barred!

Time for celebration. 

Tonight was my cherry popping for the sachets of alcohol. Mini baggies of putrid spirits to rest in your soul and make you drunker than you'd ever imagine. Yup. I had those. About three. 

Found ourselves all over the place hopping from bar to bar and then I ended up home and drunk. Oh the joys. So a pair of samosas and order of chips later and I'm feeling ready for bed.

Too bad I have to still do my squats. Mother eff.

Day 155

Thursday September 26th, 2013

I finally got the money PC owed me from back in July!! Yay!!

Too bad I now feel rich and so I'm spending money like a crazy person. 

Putting the finishing touches on my letter to his "Lordship" and to the police. I'm going to try to go see them tomorrow. 

I have mostly been on Facebook today though. Jeniffer hasn't been around, she's doing her studies for her exams for school and so I've been making my own programs. So far that has entailed my letter writing and a Facebook page for the AIDS Information Center (find us on Facebook and like us!!) 

I have been uploading pictures, writing stats, inviting people, posting articles and trying to defend my honor as the girl from the main branch in Kampala who I added as admin to help manage the page sent an email out before I did and took entire credit for all my dilly dallying. 

She doesn't know how badly I want to yank her hair and punch her in the throat. Total temporary incapacitation. 

Not like I need the credit for everything I do, but I don't do much and I am helping you, why would you tell people this was all you? Witch. With a B. Capital B. can not stand this culture of no work, but taking credit for it. 

So instead of rebutting her email, I instead decide to start the third season of the league. I'm pretty sure I have a problem, but I'm also pretty sure that show is hilarious. 

You're spared this time Kampala girl. You've been spared this time. 

Day 154

Wednesday September 25th, 2013

More network issues. 

I'm over this. 

I'm again writing these letters to the mayor and town clerk and all these people introducing the idea of the marathon and to secure the park here in town. 

I'm frustrated. 

Also why do I have to title the one letter his "Lordship" the mayor? Is this real? The hierarchy and the way people deal with humans is so funny here. There is truly a structure when it comes to "respect" and accessibility and expectations. 

This I can't stand. 

I can get my own chair, my own tea, I can serve myself. It's ok. You're not my slave. Promise. 

A little off. Just a little. 

Day 153

Tuesday September 24th, 2013

So I'm bringing together this idea of World AIDS Day and my job is annoying me about it. 

They really just let me do whatever I want and they've given me the words of verbal support, but that's it. No one seems to understand that I don't know this place and that I might need there help. 

So I'm annoyed. I'm also annoyed because the network is down so I can't do anything on the Internet. I can't get my mail, can't go on Facebook, can't google anything, and I can't play my games!!!

I'm a lost little sheep. 

I need my shepherd of 3G. Add on the plus so I can be found with lightning speed! 

Day 152

Monday September 23rd, 2013

My guest left today with a bit of a push from me. I had to be up and out of the house by 7:30 to be at a high school by 8/8:30. 

It was the most nerve wracking thing. There were over a thousand students and I had to do a five minute sensitization on HIV/AIDS. I also had to get clearance from the headmaster to talk about sex and condoms. 

I messed up a little, caught up in what i was saying, but the nice thing is that I got the kids to be a bit interactive. I then was later told that few people understood me because of my accent. 

Whoops. 

So while I was giving my presentation my counterpart wanted to take pictures. Ooh I had to delete so many things. And as I was deleting my counterpart was over my shoulder looking at every little thing. Now I know you're curious, but please, before I get killed. 

After the high school musical bit, my program manager for Peace Corps came to visit. It was so nice to see her. My counterpart wasn't around to meet with her so it was just me, my PM, and my supervisor. 

My PM invited me out to have dinner with the global health volunteers and for me it was a mistake. 

I don't really feel like I belong when I'm with them. It's an unsettling feeling. I'm foreign, they are foreign and yet we couldn't be more different. The one lady complains or rather states that they never see me, that I'm never around, but then I'm not invited to anything and they go everywhere!!

We also live very different lives under this Peace Corps title. They have hot water. For their kitchen sinks!!! What?!? And huge places. To themselves. AND they have bathtubs!!! Bathtubs!!! What the hey? 

When I hear them complain in wondering about what. They all live with other mzungus and don't have to leave their compound if they don't want. Our lives are just different. 

And so I felt to hurry and leave that dinner. That and it wasn't too tasty. 

It probably didn't help that today is the day that I decided to quit smoking. Stupid quitter attitude in me. 

So I was happy when I got driven home. The joys of being in with PC. 

Day 151

Sunday September 22nd, 2013

My guest is a farter. In her sleep farts. They wake me up. Often. 

I blame the guac. 

We at leftover guac. I also made curry.   Glad someone else got to enjoy the deliciousness that is my curry. Yum. Except I clearly welcome the farts. 

Gheezeus. 

My counterpart called to brief me on a sensitization we are doing tomorrow. Chatted my ear off on the phone about it. Apparently se didn't think I got it because five minutes after she hung up, she then knocked on my door an let herself into my house and went over everything that she had said on the phone again. 

I feel like I'm twelve and that I don't have any experience. 

I'll show you. 

I'll show you with my next big idea. I'm thinking to open something here. I'm gonna quit Peace Corps to do it. Just you wait and see. And then I will leave. Before two years. It's time to get married. 

Oh and today I bathed for the first time in literally 6 days. Uganda has shown me that new levels of grossness were attainable. 

And I thought my limit was relieving my nose into my socks. 

Showed me. 

Day 150

Saturday September 21, 2013

Clothing market!! I love Africa, Uganda in particular because except for Kampala there aren't really any malls no even of those malls clothing stores like chained and not second hand are few. 

I love Uganda because it is a huge thrift store!!! Everyday is like walking into Amvets or Goodwill. And I love Amvets AND Goodwill!

So anyways my counterparts house girl who I keep guess is her niece took me to our Saturday clothing market. 

I was in heaven although Happy nearly passed out because the sun was so intense and she didn't have any water. I ended up letting her drink out of my camel back, using my scarf for shade and buying her a water. I couldn't have her dying on me. 

After my Liz Claiborne dress find for 5k also know as less than $2, we met up with another volunteer and her coworker for lunch. 

That was a little weird as I'm pretty sure there may be a love affair happening there. That or sex. One of the two. 

Guac an chapat chips for dinner then we decided to go out. Met up with a few of her coworkers. Hopped around a bunch of bars. Danced. Like crazy. I smoked like crazy. 

And then, BAM. Argument time. Long distance relationships aren't easy. So I ran away to yell on the phone. 

Then I got yelled at by my friend as she was terrified because she didn't know where I was and thought I was dead. She cried. I almost laughed. I blame it on the alcohol. 

After that it was time to go home. And now it's time for bed. 

Did my squats first though. Boom. 

Day 149

Friday September 20th, 2013

Went to a health fair with my work where we were doing testing and counseling. There wasn't a flow of where patients should go or the order in which they should visit partner booths or a way in which blood would be taken, results would be given. It was a headless chicken shit show. 

They asked me to help. I felt a little lost. As I began to make suggestions, not only was I ignored, but I was completely ignored as if I wasn't speaking at all. Wel then. Ok. 

They asked me if I could do counseling. No not in local language, but English yes. We are at a local university, most students have a good grasp of English. I can do this. I ask where I can go/help and I get shut down again. 

At this point I find myself isolated in the shade, not under the counseling tent with my coworkers and I only feel slightly bad about the segregation. Slightly. 

The only good part was that I was able to smash some dreams in which Neely every singly Ugandan thinks that America is just like you see in the movies aka big with cities, no trees, and everyone is rich. 

If only that was America. 

I was so over not being able to help or looked at like I could be helpful that when some other volunteers told me how they were in town, I most definitely got up and walked the half mile to where they were. No worries boys. Oh and it's three thirty. No. I'm not coming back inconsiderate coworker. 

Think I'm going to make myself a schedule today for structure. It's needed. 

Day 148

Thursday September 19th, 2013

So, my landlady decide that she would drop off my light bill this morning. Too bad that her idea of dropping it off is through my opened window and then pushing my curtain to the side to peer into my living room. 

Fortunately or unfortunately I was privy to this as I was seated in my living room attempting to read while smoking. What in the hell lady? And the worst part? She acted and looked at me with no shame like it was not at all a big deal. 

For a cherry topper, I got jipped on my first light bill which was 12k and included a period I wasn't even living in the house. This time around it was a measy 4k. 

Seriously landlady? Seriously?

After that i showed up to work. Mistake.

Saw Edward, the Kampala coworker, and he invited me out again, but this time to go out out, like dancing and drinking out.

I can't.

More than that, I don't want to. Antisocial=social. The more I try to avoid, the more invites I get. Fuckers.

So I was around for the first half of the day going up and down with my counterpart. That got old fast and so when we got back to the office I found myself at the green shop in attempt to not spend money. 

Attempt failed. But I did get some cute new clothes!! Shorts and a shirt. :)

Apparently there is an upgrade for iPhone that I don't care about and yet I'm deleting everything off my phone like a madwoman to make room for the update. 

Wouldn't you know that once I got my storage down the phone pleasantly reminded me, only after I could do the install, that wifi was required. 

Only me. 

Ooh and!!!! My vacation was approved, which was something like a good thing since I already booked!!! So excited about this!!!

Soooo excited!!!

Ahhhhhh!!!!

Day 147

Wednesday September 18th, 2013

Smoked in my bed this evening. I'm coming to all time lows. It might be time to consider quitting as things are getting serious.

So secret secret, it was discussed today that I might get an upgrade on my engagement ring! What?! Who does that? Who talks about it and doesn't just do it? My fiance that's who. Apparently they were quite unhappy with the size of the ring and since it was their first mind, when I return back to North America in December, one of our first stops is the ring store.

I have a crazy life.

One of the workers from Kampala that I rode in to Mbarara with keeps wondering why I'm not at work as I didn't go again today. I just didn't have it in me. He invited me to dinner. I'm broke and don't feel like being social so instead I stayed home after walking to the market and buying cucumbers, which one tasted like it had begun the pickling process and a spear head that I will be gifting to one of the boys in my life as it seems like a boy kind of thing. Locally made and only 4k. That's less than two bucks. That's pretty good if I say so myself.

Other than that I've got nothing. Just another late night curled up in my bed with my computer and Orange is the New Black.

I've also realized that antisocial is the new social. At least in my world.

Day 146

Tuesday September 18th, 2013

And of course I didn't present myself at work today. Nope. Couldn't bear it. I'm also quite exhausted.

But today I did, accept the friend request from my fiance's mom after I was told to watch what I post. Apparently my rants once a month about my vagina transforming into Niagara Falls biblical style is not what my future mother in law is supposed to hear from me. Whoops.

I also began watching Orange is the New Black HBO or Lifetime or Cinemax new series. It's hilarious and I can't stop watching. I haven't yet decided if it's really true that I like all these series that I've been watching or if Africa really is just to blame.

That's about it for the day today.

Don't judge.

Day 145

Monday September 16th, 2013

And today I made my getaway.

After walking through the bowels of Uganda (don't mind the re- and over use of this phrase as it is applicable in more instances than one would imagine) to meet with the executive director of my organization to discuss my World AIDS Day idea, which he totally backed and is looking for sponsorship for me, I then found myself offered with a ride down to Mbarara.

Free ride. Escape from teammate (no offense teammate). Free ride. No bus.

What is there to really think about? Although, once I sat myself in the vehicle besides the number of people being multiplied by 10, I could have very well have been on the bus for how smushed I was. Wait. Is it smooshed or smushed? Or are they both just wrong?

Anyways, I was smushed. I did get free water and some french fries out of the deal though which was quite nice also mostly nice because I literally had 2,000 shillings to my name. Not a lot to be traveling with. I would have been screwed any other way.

So finally we got home and I must say, I do call Mbarara my home. I don't travel many places outside of it and when I leave it, I just want to get back to it. Entirely. I don't on the other hand want to go to work. Ugh.

Damn home.

Day 144

Sunday September 15th, 2013

Another lazy day. I swear homestay let me take the weight off, but I'm pretty sure the rest of my time in Uganda, I may turn into a whale. Can't say I'm too excited about this.

Movies and oversized beers. This is what Sundays are supposed to be about. Really enjoyed myself, but all the movies were a bit dumb. Tried to watch the movie I requested, Only God Forgives with Ryan Gosling, but again was told it sucked and the acoustics in the room didn't allow me to pay attention the way I felt I needed to for this movie.

Chocked full my iBooks on my phone with more/new books. I'm not sure why I bother as the book I want to read is lost in the bowels of Uganda. Shame really. I'm still hoping that one day like my shoes, that this book will present itself to me. One day.

I just hope that one day is before I go ahead on Amazon and order a new book.

Was supposed to go out again tonight. Instead I found myself on the roof of our hotel smoking cigarettes and chatting with other volunteers. It's the simple things in life.

I also managed to order Mexican take out which wasn't very good AND I let a puppy drop on its head. I've come to realize more and more why I like cats. If a kitten wanted down and jumped off my lap, she might land a little wobbly, but she'd land on her feet. Today I learned that puppies don't land on their feet. They land on their heads.

Puppies are dumb. End of story. Aka come January, we've got kittens on board!

Boom.

Day 143

Saturday September 14th, 2013

Lazy day. I like it. Didn't do much.

Did try to go see a movie. That turned into an adventure. Locked my teammate in the room on account of I'm crazy. So I took the room key with me as I was headed out to the movies and instead of leaving the door open and just taking the key with me I took the key and locked a poor sleeping girl in the room. Yup. Locked her in good.

Another thing I'm really good at is leaving my phone on vibrate only and then not paying attention to it. Either my phone is attached to my fingertips or it is completely lost in a black abyss that I develop some irrational fear of and so it just stays there. This day I had a mix of both. Fingertips to black abyss.

Luckily the locked in girl found herself locked in just as I was headed down the steps and just as my phone was coming out of the black abyss and back into my fingertips I received a call. Again, luck was on her side, because if I had missed the call I wouldn't have been able to call her back as I do not keep my phone littered with airtime, I just kind of keep it there. If people want to call me they can. If they want to text, I hope they don't want a response because I can't respond as that also requires airtime.

So I realize I locked her in, walk the keys back up to her and then head back on my way to the movies that we are now going to be late to. It isn't until we have passed the one part of the shopping center and are walking into the next that I realize that we are walking to the wrong center. We walk all the way up there anyways as both have theaters. Unfortunately, when we look, it doesn't list the movie we want to see. So we walk the five minutes to the other theatre, now sure that we are missing it as I've heard there are no previews.

Well we walk there and our movie is listed, except when we go to pay for the ticket, the attendant informs us that the movie actually isn't playing at this theatre, but at the sister theatre we just came from.

You're kidding me right? We tried to flash our mzungu card and see if they would start the movie over for us if we walked back, the attendant told us it would mess up the schedule as she informed another patron of a push back of times for another show.

Needless to say it was time to get something to eat at that point. Instead, we found something to drink. Lemon ginger tea that had enough ginger to feed all of India. My mouth was on fire and because I no longer live in America and customer service is a bit different, I wasn't offered my money back or anything new off the menu, but simply some sugar to help take off the edge. Then water. When I left my drink nearly all the way full I also was well received with multiple stink eyes.

Hence, I did not tip.

The night ended better, with me and a few other people heading out, drinking, dancing, late night food runs. It felt like America, but it wasn't. Overall I would have to say it was a successful day.

If only tomorrow can be as successful.

Day 142

Friday September 13, 2013

Friday the thirteenth.

The plan is to do something creepy. We didn't stick to the plan.

Instead I am making plans for my layover in Cairo, Egypt such as going to the hotel, eating as much of their food as possible, bathing in hot water, shaving my legs in hot water, trimming other areas in hot water, and straightening my hair. Oh and I will be taking a nap at some point, while the hot water is running.

Too excited for that layover. Too, too excited.

So, I'm ready to leave Kampala. Instead I'm staying until Tuesday. Please shoot me in the foot so I have an excuse to leave. Anyways, the fact that Kampala still has wonderful food is keeping me.

Did I mention that today for dinner I enjoyed ravioli with real ricotta?! Ricotta doesn't exist here, unless again of course you are in Kampala and then it does, and then it doesn't because I demolished it and it now lives in my stomach.

Exhausted tonight. Again ready to leave. Is it Tuesday yet? And I originally said I would stay through to Thursday. I was a dunce. Dunce.

Day 141

I booked my flight home today!!!!!!!! It's official. The money binds it!!! I'm going home!!! My flight is December 18. I arrive on December 19. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Why is December three months away? It feels like three years. Ugh, but!!!!!! I have my flight!

I'm also done with allvol. Thank the. 

There were just too many people for me all yelling over each other all peacocking and to be frank, I need not to be shown off to. I could care less about your degree and your successes. In the end you'll be in the ground just like me, oh and right, we are BOTH in Peace Corps and I haven't done half that shit. Right. 

Had a visit with medical today. Went for physical therapy. It was marvelous. I fell asleep. Still can't completely lift my leg, but the guy says things will be fine. I'm just ready to stop walking funny. That's my only Christmas wish. If I'm going to be home for New Years, then I need to be able to wear heels. 

Game over. 

I don't want to hang with my teammate anymore. I'm over being around people, so much so that I nearly packed all my stuff up and just left. 

I don't think I'm a real people person. What has Peace Corps done to me?

I did manage to find myself at a steak dinner tonight. Now I don't usually like steak, but holy this steak was delicious along with the garlic mashed that I got no was absolutely in love. Like love. And there was garlic sauce on the side. Yum. 

One good thing about Kampala. The food. 

So if I'm not a people person, I am a food person. Yes indeed. 

 

Day 140

Wednesday September 11, 2013

I didn't attend a single session today. I mostly just hung around and talked to people some more. Downloaded seasons of shows to my computer. Pretended I was interested in most things that I wasn't. 

It was a good afternoon. Until... 

Until of course I found a bug in my food at lunch. Now when I say bug in my food I mean bug, in my mouth in my food. All of a sudden I felt something unpleasant, put my finger in my mouth and pulled out a full out bug. I nearly vomited.  

I also stopped eating food for the rest of that day. Worst part about that is that the food was actually pretty good this time around. I always try to eat as much as I can at these training a as the food is free. I don't get much free food these days. 

I barely ate dinner either. Just fruit. I wasn't scared of the fruit, I am though ready to escape all these people. 

There is this one group of girls in particular that if I knew where they slept I may find my way in there at night and accidentally fall on their face with a pillow. They are so incredibly loud. So loud. And I'm all about a good time, but I swear it's like they slipped laughing gas into their oxygen supplies along with a mechanism that makes them deaf so they scream louder than the average bear to be heard. 

Dumb girls. 

Anyways thank the that this is the last night. I'm ready. 

I'm not ready to be in Kampala for so many days though.

The tangled web I weave. Ugh. 

Day 139

Tuesday September 10th, 2013

Today I met the Ambassador. I think he's pompous. I was sitting through his speech and playing games the whole entire time on my phone. 

Then came the trainings. Which was fine. It was interesting to see how the trainings were set up. The week or so before we arrived we were informed about this free space where we would be able to determine what we wanted the lectures to be. We the volunteers set them and then we taught them as well. 

The sessions ended up going really really well.

I enjoyed myself. Talked about World AIDS Day. It was very informative. Also about the radio stations and working with them which was nice.

Night time came around and I must say I am enjoying all this with people around and what not. Drank a little, mostly talked. Tried to get secrets out of some people, I was unsuccessful.

I did although find a fourth for spades. Our usual fourth wasn't there and so we found a substitute. Unfortunately this substitute wasn't as fun as our usual and so I'm not sure that we will play again with her tomorrow. We didn't even finish our last game. Yes. We think she sucks.

Found cockroaches in my bed. I swear. Why do cockroaches love me here in Uganda? Why do they rule the world here?! Why?!!!!!!

I fear that I may go back to America and find that roaches live inside of the hollows of my brain. Eat away effers. Eat away.

Day 138

Monday September 9th, 2013

I'm looking at flights again. I'm sitting and waiting for the nights to pass me by so I can open my eyes and view the familiar sights of the three Fs and North America. I'm ready for it.

Traveling to Kampala today. Not prepared, except we have a ride!! Thank the fuck. No bus, no randoms. No nonsense.

Enter random kid, who wasn't so random to my teammates counterpart aka the driver, but is completely random to me. Ugh. I wanted to hit him. Hard. He kept kicking me and his nanny lady was weird as fuck.

Day 137

Sunday September 8th, 2013

It's been decided that Quentin Tarantino, as much as I may not like his films, or at least Django Unchained, that he is going to direct our movie. That or at least make a cameo.

Had take out tonight. It was delicious. I have been eating so much and honestly, I don't even care. Ordered masala chips and beans and rice. Yes. Beans and rice. It was effing delicious. So delicious.

Helped my teammate clean up so that she could be ready to leave two years behind her.

Wine. More wine. And here we go. She got a little weird and questioned me about my fiancé and my happiness. Enh. Not too impressed.

Earlier, the frogs attacked. A bajillion frogs were sitting and attacking our feet!! Literally these frogs are gross and the way they croak. Ugh. The dog kept thinking she wanted to play with them. She didn't. Apparently they secrete some sort of poison. Whoops.

Chill night. And tomorrow we get to go to Allvol. I'm not ready to be around all the volunteers here in Uganda. Too many people. Too many personalities.

Lord help me.

Day 136

Saturday September 7th, 2013

Day wine and tanning. Today I was a happy girl.

Happier when I found myself witness to a break dance competition where seven and 12 year olds were breakdancing to the death! It was awesome!! I took over 300 pictures. Oh and I think I found a little boy that I am trying to work out the adoption papers on.

After the competition, teammate took me to a mzungu house where the couple works for either the UN or USAID or something and holy hell! There place was spectacular. Huge compound. Huge house, with multiple floors AND they had taco bell sauces available for their amazing dinner on top of bacardi and spiced rum. I was in heaven.

Oh did I mention the countertop and stove with an oven and a blender? Like a blender that made whole black beans into refried not whole black beans? Yes. Those burritos were delicious.

Also, there were Marlboros and Camels available for my smoking pleasure. I felt like i was in America.

Speaking of, back in America, my fiancé and mother met up. Weird. They decided to spend some quality time together. Had a little chat about the guest list which is nice. I got to see pictures of my kitty who I miss greatly!! Also, apparently they are looking at venues. I want to throw my guts up.

I wonder what they decided.

Day 135

Friday, September 6th, 2013

On a bus again. God. I wish that I could drive again. I feel like I'm going to forget how to drive. What if I am stuck taking public transportation for the rest of my life?! I don't know if I can do that! I want to drive!! Drive I say.

I really hope it's just like riding a bike.

So I'm headed up to Gulu where I had my tech training to visit my tech week trainer who is soon COSing (close of service) aka she gets to go back home to America. All I can say about that is that part of me hates her and part of me is extremely happy for her. She's a teammate and this is no place to be playing the game. The rules aren't the same and the umps don't play fair.

And for that I'm jealous. I'm ready just to hear rude comments and get funny looks, well I guess I do get that here, but I'm ready for that to be my only repercussion.

Anyways, the north is hot as balls. I swear I have had some stored up inside of me, but the temperature was never high enough for them to make a safe descendent. Thank you Gulu for giving them the opportunity. They have fully dropped and are not currently sweating themselves off.

My bus ride as usual was cramped and too hot for comfort. I sat next to someone, so I was as usual in the aisle. When the fiancé gets here I can't wait to have the two seat row and sit by the window. Yup. I am that selfish.

When getting off my bus I was thoroughly confused and did not know where I was. Luckily my seat mate did. So he directed me, found myself at a lovely mzungu place where I was able to whip out my phone, grab some good food and meet another volunteer from my group who I haven't seen since tech week. Lucky duck, he lives in Gulu.

Anyways after our chat, I found my way to my teammates house and holy the people in the north are so much friendlier than those in the south! Considerably so.

I smile, they smile back. I say hello, they say hi and not I'm fine. It's lovely. AND!!!! The women ride bikes here!! In their skirts!! I'm in love!! Ahhhhhh!!!

So anyways, I make it to my teammates and guess what I see? A rainbow. I think that it knew that I needed it today. So there it was just nestled gently amongst the clouds and then surprised me further when it showed me it had a twin.

I was happier than happy. It made me feel at peace and welcomed in Uganda. Even the sky appreciated teammates. Thank you Ugandan sky. =)

As for my night, that turned into a shit show. Got hit on by some creeper guy. Didn't like it. Then got free tequila shots, then got a burger that potentially was filled with Mad Cow Disease where the night then proceeded to open up for me a free room which was weird because that just doesn't happen. Ever.

Oh well!! Free drinks! Leg hopping contests AND free rooms!!

The hot water wasn't working properly though.

Damnit.

Day 134

Thursday September 5th, 2013

Appointment with the doctor today. Yay. I love going to hospitals. Especially here in Uganda. Even though I have never been taken to it, makes me feel like I'm always headed to my demise as I feel like I'm going to wind up in the basement of the hospital from that movie, The Last King of Scotland. 

No thank you. Again, not a movie you watch right before you board a plane for Uganda, Africa. Just a

Day 133

Wednesday September 4, 2013

Back on the road again. I swear it feels like I live in Kampala and not Mbarara and I won't be back at site for something like two weeks. I'm not sure if I packed properly for all of this time away.

Today is the day that I have decided that I absolutely hate public transportation. Absolutely. When I got on the bus there was a free spot all the way in the back of the bus and  so I asked if anyone was sitting there. I was told no, but maybe I wasn't understood.

I'm sitting and here comes this big man who looks at me stands there in front of me and points to the open seat next to the one I'm currently sitting in. 

Worst part, like a punk, I move over. I find myself now seated in the crack of two seats because that then allows me to have a full seat to myself with space on either side of me since those other seats are occupied by the big man and another man who I'm fearing to catch something from. Yes. That is the shallow judge metal part of me. 

His skin was really bad. I was nervous. I didn't show it though. So the shallow was concealed. 

So this bus ride is miserable at it is hard to seat your crack in a crack and my luggage didn't help. Stupid public transportation. 

So I the moment I decided I hated public transportation wasn't when the big man decided to use me as a personal rest for his items, not when he decided to cough, cough, cough with no covering of his nasty germs. Nope. The moment came when the big man dug into his nose, I swear there were diamonds in there, brought something to the surface and wiped it on the chair seated directly in front of me. 

As I turned my head in disgust, Mr. Expose My Shallow was also engaged in a mining experience. And that was when it was decided that I can not wait to get back to America to drive my own car with people that I select to ride in it. 

Holy gross.

Yup. So that's how that was decided.

Anyways. Made it into Kampala. Finally and also with not a touch of booger on me. I was quite meticulous as I made my way out of that seating arrangement though. The shivers that just went through me...

Anyways. Made it, didn't need to go to Peace Corps office, which was nice so I made it to my accommodations and then called a Ugandan friend to meet me for some food and drinks. I forget though that I need to be careful with that because in Uganda you don't invite someone to share their company, when you invite someone out, it is to pay for their good time. I don't have the funds to be paying for other people's good times. I can barely afford my own.

Anyways, I manage to google map the location of this restaurant that I hear has pretty awesome burgers. Let me tell you, they don't, although their fries with mayo were to die for!! Thick cut potato wedges with zingy mayo. Felt like I was in Belgium. May be time to go back to Europe.

So I'm walking to this restaurant and wouldn't you know that my janky leg would come from underneath me and yup, there I am, one moment crossing the street, the next I'm down. In the street. How this happens? Not quite sure. Worst part. Oh right, there is the grate of truck six inches from the side of my face, not to mention I'm pretty sure my pride was stuck somewhere in it.

Overall I have to say that it was a good trip to Kampala.

Bailed on a birthday party that my friend invited me to because I just couldn't be bothered. I'm tired too much. Always tired. So I fell asleep and could barely wake up.

Also met this girl who kind of scares me. The way she smokes makes me fear for my lungs. The sucking. The teeth. The inhale of the air.

Yeah... I think she needs to quit.