Its almost been 2 weeks since I boarded the plane for Uganda, I can't believe it, but I am really happy to be finally getting into the routine of things around here. Routine has been an interesting concept here, back in America you have a routine that you don't even think about it, so it doesn't take any extra energy doing all the common ways of life, but here a brand new routine takes energy, energy that could be used on more complex things that you have to use for a normal new routine, but with that said I like that I am finally getting used to the routine here. I get up in the morning, get ready, walk to school, have class, hang out, go home, help make dinner, eat, do the dishes, night time prayer, and go to sleep!
On Friday our group went on a retreat at a hotel like place. It was nice to get away for the day, and we even got to go swimming! In the morning we had some group talks that we really interesting, we talked about our expectations, what the program is about versus what it is not about, and lastly the tourist vs the pilgrim. Some of the things that define the tourist are selfish, short time frame, escape, no change, unique, unrealistic reality, view from above, wealthy, pleasure seeking, and staged authenticity. Now this my look like tourism is a bad thing, and I don't think that but it just opened my eyes to the reality of what a tourist truly is. And now a pilgrim can be characterized as humility, communal, religious journey, goal in mind, willingness to learn, dependent, and no borders. Sometimes its hard to make the switch from tourism to pilgrim but the reality is that I am not going to be a tourist for 4 months here, I want to learn the way of life and become part of the culture and that means becoming a pilgrim to this area.
These are our family dogs, Azul and Son, they watch over the house at night and stay in their kennels during the day. Its very common here to have watch dogs, however, they are so cute and precious. Dogs here aren't really pets, but just a way of protection.
This is Ashton, she is one of the program assistants here. Coming to Uganda was really hard not knowing anyone especially when some others here came with at least someone they semi knew from college. Ashton graduated from Olivet last year, so even though I didn't know her at all we know a lot of the same people and same places. Its been comforting being able to shares stories from school with her and have some common ground.
This is another program assistant, Innocent, she is really great!!! However, she is done with the program at the end of the month.
This is another picture of Gloria, she is just too stinking cute, and I just love coming home to her everyday! She found my stash of Target trail mix and loves and asks for a handful everyday! She also loves playing fruit ninja on my phone at night.
This is another picture of my sister Topista! I really am excited to spend 4 months with her and I am excited to get to know her more and more.
Gertrude is becoming like my best friend here, and she is just so great to me! In a week she leaves to go back to college, I am so sad to see her go, and I will be making trips to come visit her at school. She lost her mom at childbirth and lost her dad at a young age, I can't even imagine going through that but yet she has just such a big heart and has so much love in this world! I'm really have to have to opportunity to get to know her. Everyday when I walk home from school I just am so excited to see her at the house. This weekend she went to the market with me and I got a new skirt and she bartered for me, I think the women selling stuff take her more seriously than me so she got me a good deal. Gertrude is also an amazing cook and is teaching me some good lessons.
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