Farewell Uganda

My farewell to Uganda has come suddenly but apparently logically according to some higher power... so, due to circumstances that I did not foresee, I have returned to my homeland... America, the land I love. I guess this will be my final blog and it's ok for me. I have enjoyed writing and sharing to whomever has come across these entries and I wish you all well.



Over the past year and a half I have learned more than I ever imagined and I am so grateful for my experiences. It's difficult to express even a portion of what I have learned or experienced over the past 18 months, but I do know that there were times I hated it and other times I loved it so much I couldn't get enough. Each day was a surprise and time could be fast and slow all at once and I never knew what the next day would bring. I have grown to love Uganda so much and I am so sad to leave but at the same time I am ready to be home. I met some of the most amazing people and I've been so happy to have had the chance to meet everyone and see all the things I've seen. Just to have these opportunities has been a blessing and I am so thankful for the time I have had in Uganda.

Just to do a quick reflection on some of my general thoughts... I will never understand how a country can be so incredibly poor and another so rich. If only we could balance it out more evenly we could make the world a better place. And although the average Ugandan is living a life of extreme poverty, they are rich with love and laughter that is probably more than some of the richest people in the world. It's been amazing to see and come to know the people of Uganda and I can't express enough how grateful I am for the time I have had.

One of the greatest things I think I have learned over this time has been simple and I wish everyone could live by it, although sometimes I forget myself...
I've learned that I can love everyone and everything that I see because I'll never know when or if I'll pass that way again or what the next day will bring. To live each day like it's the last and laugh as often as I can, then I can live the best life imaginable.
Music can heal our souls and so will laughter and love, don't ever be without. and if you are, change. Music is sweet, so is laughing, and love and I believe that it's what makes life worth living...

Thank you to my Mom and Dad, family and friends for all the support you have shown me during my time in Uganda. And to my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers who I have had the incredible opportunity of sharing the past 18 months with, we have given up so much and are doing such great work... it has been a privilege to work with you all.

As I close this little book of my short lived life in Uganda, I'd like to leave you with a few thoughts from my head...

Twist off bottle caps are sweet...so don't take them for granted.

The most hilarious Olympic sport ever created is power walking... and if you get the chance, watch it, I think you'll agree... So, if you're ever down and out, just watch some power walking and you'll cheer right up.

I'll send my love and my happy thoughts through this blog and I hope they reach everyone and everything! Do that 'pass it on' thing... and don't forget to SMILE... even if it's a cheezer smile and people make fun of you for it... haha... at least we're all still laughing!

Send me on my way...

Love,
Kristy :)

Pictures