Greetings from Entebee, Uganda where I am feeling overwhelmed and sleep deprived but so well fed. The people that we are with are so great and open and haven't hit the crabby curve yet but then Tom and I have our own bedroom and don't have to share with 20 other girls that are off there sleep cycle too. We are learning language hot and heavy. Some are learning much better then me but I am plugging away at it. It is hard and after the 2 weeks of this language we will go to our home stay and learn another village language. The village language that we learn will be used in the community we are placed in. That will be where we will spend our commitment. We are living in a upscale (flush toilets and running cold water for showers) compound for our first week and ½. This is to introduce us to staff and each other. We have not yet seen true Uganda other then 12m when we pulled in. It is fenced and 3 guards walk around all night with spear and shield patrolling. During the day the guards have guns. There is also a large dog at night keeping animals away. The animals are stray dogs nothing else lives around here that can harm (or so I am told). Monkeys live in the compound and steal your banana if you leave it siting on a sill when you are getting your papers out for class. They are very quick thieves and unrepentant. It is very safe and very America yet in the compound. Meaning we are still enjoying the scaled down amenities we had in the states.
Got those nasty hepatitis shot 1st series and am now on mefloquine for the malaria and sleeping under the net on a bed that is big enough for me, and Tom is in it too. Next week is the next line of shots. The health support is very good here and we are to notify notify notify if we feel any illness or discomfort. It is comforting to know that there is a good hospital in Kampala with 1 DR and 2 nurses for the night shift and then more staff in AM. So if you want to pee all night you better be able to get up your self as the hosp is large. Did I mention the wandering chickens horses and roosters on the grounds where we are staying. So guess who is awake at 5 to awaken us? Then is the call to pray at 5:30. Then the day begins with: how to wash cloths, how to sterilize our water, language, medical kit usage, cultural norms, cultural language usage, goals of training. mentor classes and food. Which has all been good. I just don't care for the maatoke (steamed bananas ) which is served at every meal.
The people that are with the peace corp are so gracious and inviting and extremely patient. We are the 1 of 5 married couples 3 being close to our age, 2 other younger. The incredible amount of talent that is here amazes me. Some are getting there masters in the peace corp program, all have graduated from comm health or economic programs with a global emphasis. We had interviews today to place us in 8 weeks. We find out Monday our region so we can start language.
