Muzungu....

Hello from the middle of Africa!  And in case you're wondering, "Muzungu" is what white people or foreigners are called, both with affection by children and not-so-much by the Boda-Boda drivers.  Boda-bodas are screaming-wild motorcycle taxi's that Peace Corps Muzungus are not allow to ride for fear of death or being termindated from PC - hopefuly not in that order.

Se we are settling in with our host families here in Wakisu, 15 minutes from Kampala as the crow flies and 45 if you dare to take public transportation.  My family is headed by an amazing woman who has survived more than anyone I know will experience in many lifetimes.  She is educated, articulate,  a community leader and raising several grandchildren and educating some extended family.  She was reared in a wealthy family with high level connections until one of the wars came along and her husband was thrown into prison, where he died.  She became homeless, penniless and survived with her 6 children in the forest until she found some family land willed to her husband.  She has built her home alone and has educated all of her children (4 of whom died from AIDS related issues) and most of her grandchildren!  In short, she is the quintessential feminist in a culture where that is rare.

Her home is reasonably upscale, built of home made bricks.  We have a toilet (that flushes to somewhere with water poured in from a Jerry Can), no running water and no electricity.  Many volunteers are in homes with outdoor pit latrines, so this is a large step up.  We take cold water bucket baths (no too bad once you catch your breath) and sleep under treated mosquito nets.  This phase lasts for another two months, after which we will go to our sites and have out own places.  All I know at this point is that I will be in northern Uganda, somewhere in the vicinity of Gulu and will be working with a non-profit (NGO).  The language is Acholi: rather a combination of Arabic, African dialects and peppered with sounds akin to Vietnamese.  In short, it sounds like a made up language and I am having a hard time with it. 

We are a group of 46 and my Acholi group is fabulous. I'm looking forward to moving on to the next stage and will tell more.  At the moment, I'm running out of of battery and have to hike down the road to leave it with someone who has electricity!   No time to proof read - so forgive the mistakes!

OH yes - and I have to say "The views expressed in this blog are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Peace Corps..."  So there it is.  Love you all!