Peace

A man told me a story last week and I thought it was really good, it's about what the word "peace" means.
He says that a group of students were asked to draw a picture that explained what "peace" meant to them, or to draw what they see when they think of "peace".
One child drew a river that flowed calmly and was bright blue, and he drew a picture of himself laying next to his river.
One child drew a garden with hundreds of beautiful flowers all around.
And one drew a waterfall. In this waterfall there was a tree that grew up from the bottom and rose all the way above all of the splashing, and on top of this tree, the child drew a bird that sat on the top, right in the middle of the waterfall on the tree.
Anyways, the man that told me this story explained that the picture with the waterfall was like peace in Uganda. He says that amongt all the chaos, people find peace. They find their own way to rise above any of the crazy things that might be happening around them, and they find peace. I think this idea is a good way to look at life in general really anywhere you are in the world. No matter where you go, there will always be chaos, and it's up to you to find your own peace all within yourself to rise above, and then there you are.

Invisible Children

I have had the chance to talk to so many people, and have had some amazing conversations. We got to talking about a documentary that was made here in Uganda, and it is called "Invisible Children". I have not had a chance to see it, but I hear it is really good and leaves quite an impact on your soul... I think you can read about it online, the website is just www.invisiblechildren.com or http://www.invisiblechildren.com/displaceMe/ It is all about some of the things happening in Uganda, even currently, and, at least from what I hear, it is a really good documentary, and I thought some of you may be interested. There is a detailed history on the second website I listed. Okay, so hopefully you might be interested in looking.. I haven't had enough time, but I wish I had more...I am really starting to adjust here, for real this time, and realizing how happy I am to be here, and just so appreciative to have this experience.Ha, some adjustments when I think about them are so funny, and I usually laugh.. just random stuff, like food, taking cold showers that take your breath away, crazy bugs all over the place, all of the time, little things that would freak me out back home, but it's funny how you just adjust over time. It's like that quote, "no matter where you go, there you are"...it's really true, because no matter where you go, or where you are, you will always adjust to your surroundings, and I am really adjusting and I would say I am starting to love (yes, l-o-v-e) it here in Uganda. I go to serve some sauce on my rice, and there is a random bug on top, but I just pick it out, I was reading while it was raining, and drops from my leaky roof fall on my head, but you just brush these things off your shoulder.. and it's funny when I think about how annoyed I would have been back home. Things are really layed back and casual, and I love it.

Anyways, we are at war with the mosquitos here, and they are all around. I have in counting, 21 bites on my left leg from the knee down, and 20 more on my right leg from the knee down.. that is just in counting and the ones I can see. I sleep under my net, wear repellent, but maybe it is my nights under the stars where the attacks are being made. hehe. Mosqutio nets are very important here, and everywhere in Africa. The idea of mosquito nets before I came were that they were a decoration that had tropical and exotic representations, but here you realize that mosquito nets can save lives, due to malaria.

I had a realization today that each day that goes by, I am starting to love Uganda more and more, and the way of life here. I think as each day passes, the harder and harder it will be to leave once my service is over. The weather is so beautiful, and the people are so kind, down to earth, and have such good senses of humor. I feel so lucky to be so immersed in a culture that is much different than my own. I have had opportunities to hear stories that are amazing, and I have felt so honored to be in the presence of some of these people. Life can be much more layed back, and it seems easier to be present in each moment that's happening. I can watch the sun rise and set each day, I take tea 3 times a day (haha), and I just feel like I am able to sit back and take it all in. Well, there is much more, but hard to get it all out in writing.
I think I am starting to find my way, and understand maybe what I am doing here, and all of the possibilities that lay before me.

A quote from the Invisible Children website I really like:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world.

Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."-Margaret mead

Sunrise

I love the sky.

I am going to miss my host family, of which I have known for 2 months. It is crazy how attached you get so quickly. I have been a little sick lately, but it's nice for the time being because the hotel I am staying in has a toilet. woo hoo. Just a little crampy and bloated with "the big D"... I wonder how much bacteria I consume here in random foods I eat. I think generally I'm pretty healthy and my body can ward off a lot of the bad stuff, so when I don't feel well, it makes me wonder, woah, what kind of bacteria was it this time.. must be something harsh. hehe... you never know.

Mbale

The lovely town of Mbale, with Mt. Elgon in the background. I must say it is quite beautiful.

I have seen Mt. Elgon and it comes up on you quick. It is so beautiful! I am hoping to get the chance to climb it one day, although I hear it is very expensive. I have had the chance to travel around Uganda a little bit, and each part I go to has it's own unique characteristics. Traveling also has it's own uniqueness.. and I have only touched on it a bit. I think I am starting to get somewhat used to it, but today I had about a 2 hour bus ride with 2 different behinds right on my arm and near my face. haha. Invading my personal space, so I kept trying to shove a little, nope, not working. Taxi's get crammed with people.. sometimes it get's a little crazy. A taxi that should carry approximately 11 people (if you were to wear seat belts and sit properly), for example, today we got 20 in.. so as you can see, that is 9 more, crammed in somehow, and my squished body to the window equals that somehow. hehe.. funny. I get a little nautious sometimes.. and every time we stop I feel like a whirl wind has hit me in the head. haha
Whenever I get a chance to sit next to the window though, I take it... If you are somewhat comfortable on a taxis or bus ride to anywhere in Uganda, there are breathtaking views, and I don't think twice about taking it all in and enjoying the scenery. It is most lovely.
I think I am starting to adopt a Uganda accent to my English... here are some funny quotes I have heard around that I think are pretty cool..
-A man was telling a story of once he tried some hotsauce, and this therefore created a "conflict" in his mouth.
-I was sitting in the shade, but when time began to pass, "the sun was invading us"
I love both of these, and I hear quotes with cool ways of using the English language all the time.. it is very interesting to hear and sometimes throws me off guard, and I will write it down.

Look up

One cool thing is how beautiful the stars can be at night here in Uganda. I will look up and there will be billions of stars shinning so bright. I honestly did not know that the stars could look different just because I was in another part of the world, but according to some of my friends, since there is no light pollution, this is why I am able to see the stars much more brightly and more vivid. It is really amazing, and I am always looking up at night.

The rooster crows at around 5:30am every morning, so that’s pretty much my make-shift alarm clock available for me to use every day of the week whether I want it or not.

Last night the rooster decided to begin crowing at 3:30 am, and I am not sure why.
One night a few weeks ago, it decided to crow at 9:30 at night, so I’m not too sure about that either. My host father and I looked at each other like, “what??”. Haha.. I don’t think he knew why either, and we both started laughing.
Yesturday, we had the chance to visit an organization called AIDCHILD. It is an organization that takes in children that have AIDS, but that are also orphans with no families. The organization gives them shelter, food, medicine, and best of all the love and care like a family. This has probably been one of the coolest most rewarding experiences I have had so far. The children danced and sang for us when we were there, and it was just amazing to see their spirits and how much excitement and life they had in them.. even after going through such hard times.

Ants have invaded the sugar. I noticed this a few days ago for my morning tea, and thought they would go away, but they keep appearing, so now I drink hot tea with sugar and a few boiled ants. Hehe.
Saturday was a mini-vacation to the town of Jinga. We got to see the Source of the Nile, a rain forest, and a waterfall that I can’t remember the name of. I had a wonderful time, very relaxing and exciting. In Jinja, I got to drink a COLD chocolate milkshake and it was really good.
Today is Easter, and I am happy. My family is Muslim, so I think I am going to get together with a few of my friends just to hang out and relax.

I have a new name, it is Naikoote, pronounced, (Nie-coat-ay)... and it means a green sauce made from peas. woo. haha
I am going to try and post some pictures soon.. I am hoping, so we shall see… This picture at the top is a random picture I took while in Kampala... the rest on flicker.
I miss America and everything about it usually, and especially my friends a family!

Thanks for the comments, I am reading them and they make my happy!

-Kristy :)