Wild or Mild??? I'll take WILD please!

Hey everyone one another eventful week has past,Lugazi just finished is mayoral election and there is a new mayor in town. His slogan we just "OBAMA" which I guess the them means change, progress, hope. Now with the elections over and feeling well again the work can finally get a move on. I am working with a local womens group to help establish a ESL/Literacy program, they started the program last year but need a restart, we meet with the women on tuesday and I am very excited to see how we can help. I've also been working with a awesome group of local youth that run The Youth Outreach Mission, they are only 18 and 19 yrs old but they are doing soooo much to reach out the community and solve the problems that they see. We are working with them on AIDS/HIV education and pervention, we will be going to local schools and talk to the kids on prevention and other health issues.

Well with the week being full of business we get the weekend to relax. This weekend we didn't it total tourist style. A small group of us went into Jinga friday night and had dinner at this amazing restaurant, really good burgers. Then we boda-ed out Adrift camp resort, they have hot showers, flushing toilets and an amazing view of the Nile River from the outdoor bar. After sleeping in a giant 4 level bunk bed we met up with the rest of the group and white water rafting down THE NILE!!! And it was serious rafting we went over class 4 and even class 5 rapids, luckily my raft only flipped once but there were a few times I was afraid for my life. But it was totally worth it!! It was such an awesome experience and the greatest adventure ever! Now I have a wicked sunburn to show for it and the awesome chance to say the I rafted the Nile in Africa.

P.S. I am still trying to work on getting pictures, because of all the viruses it may be awhile, if at all. :(

P.S.S If you read this and like something or have a question, PLEASE comment, I don't know if anyone is actually reading this I would love to hear what you think, Thanks :)

Outbreak!

Well it has finally hit, on Sunday night about 8 volunteers, including myself, all go sick within hours of each other. I was one of the lucky few who did not throw but could have easily done so if I would have gotten out of bed. Most of us spent all day yesterday and most of today just sitting in bed. I was able to barrow a computer from someone and watched movies most of the time. I think by tomorrow everyone will be back to normal. Its been quite another experience to come to Africa and then sit in bed all day.

Other than that life is good, I went shopping on Saturday in a town called Jinja, its a much more touristy town. Then have great shopping for authentic Africa clothes and trinkets, I got myself a super awesome bag. Plus they have an American Restaurant there!!! I had a cheeseburger with mushrooms and bacon with a small salad and fries on the side!! I was the best meal! The local food is great but there is not very much variety so you can kind of get sick of fruit after awhile. They have this food called Chibattia, its like a thick tortilla. It is so good, Mary our awesome cook has been teaching me how to make them and some other local dishes.

It seems like I've lived here forever even though its only been a week, time moves very slowly here but its rather refreshing.

One Week Down

Well It has been almost a week here in Uganda and I LOVE IT, the people are so nice and they are very excited to have Mazungu (white people) here. The kids follow us and the people love to talk to us. We spent the last week getting to know the area and meeting with the people that we will be working with, there is a lot that can be done and luckily we have lots of time to do it in. I helped build adobe stoves the other day which made me very dirty but I would do it again in a sec. It has only been a week but its already been an adventure.

I'm in AFRICA!!

I made it to Luganzi, the town where I'll be living, late last night and despite the loud parties and roosters crowing I slept ok. Our house has no running water right now so we have to use the outhouses out in the back yard, which are pretty much a hole in the ground that takes some good aiming to use. As well I took a shower useing the colleted rain water and this morning I washed my face using the well pump. Pretty much the total African experience. I am loving it here so far and can't wait to see else will happen.

All my bags are pack I'm ready to go...

Twas the night before Uganda...

Only 7.5 hours until I leave for Africa!! I'm nervous and excited all at the same time, I've traveled a lot but never to a third world country so its going be something I've never experienced before. I can't wait to start working and making memories! This is going to be a once in a lifetime experience. Next time you hear from me it will be in UGANDA!!! (i know you're jealous)

I'll keep you posted!!!