Homestay updates

Intye nedi? That is how you greet in Dhapodhola, my local language. I am having so much fun learning it and it is not that hard, you don’t have to conjugate verbs, make plural, or make masculine or feminine…its awesome. The days are super super long, but I am picking up a lot and I feel very confidant that I will be able to integrate well into my community. Tororo is a really nice part of Africa; we are only miles from Kenya, there are large hills that I will explore, there is a really large rock in the middle near town that I will climb, and they grow all types of food. I am getting along really nicely. Also, my host family is the coolest! They make me such amazing food and teach me how to cook it, there are four young kids whom I get to play with all the time, and my mom is so smart and knows a ton about Uganda and America. I have taught the kids uno, tons of card games, different words and phrases, silly games, and even a little Spanish just for fun. The family is always laughing, is so hospitable and welcoming, and  is helping me to learn the language. I truly got really lucky. The children’s time is mostly spent preparing meals on a charcoal stove, cleaning the house many times, and playing. The mother and father both work long hours during the day. Also, though they feed me when I am used to it, 7ish, the families here eat dinner between 9 and 10. I am convinced that they do not sleep because they work so hard, go to bed after me, and are awake before me.

In Tororo, people typically live in a condensed village setting, though there are some more developed parts. The house I am staying in has electricity, running water, a garden with mango trees, and a tv! It is crazy, the dish sometimes picks up US tv. Their time is mostly spent preparing meals on a charcoal stove, cleaning the house many times, and relaxing. The mother and father both work long hours during the day. Most families will not have so much, but depending on where in the district you live electricity may be common and getting water from a tap is also possible. I do have my own room, which is separate from the main room, so I get my me time when I need it. And boy do I, the days are so long that I am usually in bed and asleep by 9:30 (it isn’t taking me half an hour to fall asleep!) It is still rainy season here, so the days are not super hot and it actually gets cold at night. However, it is hot enough to make me worry about the dry season. But, because of climate change, the weather patterns in Uganda have changed a lot and it is no longer predictable when the dry and wet seasons will be. I have not seen my soon to be home or site of the next 2 years yet, but I have heard it is in a more developed part.

I am very intent on integrating here. Culturally, greetings are very important and just saying a few words in the local language goes a very long way. I hope to just say hello to everyone in my area and introduce myself so they get used to me and will hopefully accept me. The hardest part of being in Uganda so far is being stared at as you walk, simply because you are unfamiliar. If I can get rid of that, life will be great. I am adjusting to most other things and trying very hard to be ok with not doing much during down time. I get to run in the early morning before class and before it gets hot and I think I may stick to doing that…it gives me another excuse to go to bed early. Oh and my phone service is pretty good here, so as long as I can charge things I can communicate home, currently I can’t put up pictures. Hopefully I will get a mailing address soon. I love and miss everyone dearly and if I can’t post before I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. We are all getting together and having a big mizungu party!!