07.08.2011 Boys leave-sad day

07.08.2011 Boys leave-sad day

            Today Matt and Nick left the house.  They have been living here since before I got here.  They were the life of this house!  Both are such wonderful and sweet men who truly live life to the fullest.  Listen to me, talking about them as if they've died.  I started crying, just a little.  I felt like I became closer to them since Uganda, and them leaving just reminded me that I’ll be leaving one day too.  It also made me feel a bit home sick as well.  I do miss my family terribly, but I wish I could bring them here to experience everything I am experiencing.  I want to mix the two worlds into one, but it isn’t possible.  Both feel like home to me. 

06.08.2011 Nane Nane with Kelvin

            

06.08.2011 Nane Nane with Kelvin

            Kelvin came back to Arusha from Moshi to visit me today.  He wanted to take me to see nane nane before it became too busy.  Nane nane is similar to a farmer’s fair at home.  Nane Nane (eight eight, of August 8^th) is Farmer’s Day holiday.  At nane nane, there were many stores, animal auctions, beer tents, boxing, and a petting zoo (with hyenas…kichaa sana).  I even saw and talked with a beekeeper!  Beekeeping here is far different from it is at home.  They hang hollow logs onto branches in trees. 

            Kelvin also took us into the “petting zoo.”  It was rather depressing.  The cages were dirty, and much too small for the size of the animals.  I got to hold more snakes though.  They wrapped a boa around my neck and under my arm.  I wanted it off as soon as the picture was taken.  It was heavy and well…around my neck. 

Not the boa...my camera died right after this picture was taken.   Emilie got one with her camera though! 

            Lastly, we went to the Ngorogoro conservation tent.  Kelvin works for the National Ngororgoro Conservation Center, and so they gave us some free stuff.  It was nice to meet and talk to the people he works with also.  Before we left, Kelvin warned us to not go on Monday, the official Farmer’s Day.  I would like to go to see all the excitement though.  We shall see if I can get a group of people to come with.

            After nane nane, Kelvin, Mark, Emilie, other people from the house, and I went out to Empire, a local bar.  Saturday night is Karaoke night! It is so funny listening to mbongos trying to sing songs in English, and vise versa. 

05.08.2011 Ice Cream and Tears

05.08.2011 Ice Cream and Tears

            I returned to class today for the first time since arriving home from Uganda.  I missed the children so much!  There were also three new children to hug, teach, love, and play with.  Two of them were sisters.  Mama Anna told me their story and I almost started crying.  Their mom abandoned them and left them with their father at a very young age because she was being regularly raped by him at knifepoint.  After the mom left, the father focused his sexual abuse on the older daughter.  He raped her for two years.   Former volunteers at the school they used to attend discovered this, and sponsored them to attend a boarding school to get them away from their father.  They are on a month long holiday now, and the volunteers asked Mama Anna if she could take them in to keep them away from their father still. She did, so we will have them for a month.  They are the sweetest girls.

            When I heard the story of abuse, I asked Mama Anna if we could take the girls out for lunch and ice cream.  It can hardly make up for what happened, but small acts of kindness can show people that there is good in the world.  Or maybe I was just trying to make myself feel better.

            I didn’t want to give the girls something they were completely unfamiliar with, but I wanted to give them something they had never experienced before.  I ordered for them chicken pasta, hold the pesto.  I gave them salt to season it with, and bread and butter. I also ordered for them a coke each (their favorite part of the meal!).  They were very hesitant at first, but after the first few bites, they seemed to enjoy it a lot. They cleaned their plates and then ate off mine.

            Midway through lunch, two of the girls had to go to the washroom.  I walked them there, and lead one into a stall with a toilet, without thinking.  I stepped outside the stall, held the door closed for her, and when she was done, I went in to flush the toilet.  No need!  As I stepped into the puddle or fresh urine on the floor, I laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation and how silly I was to assume she knew how to use a toilet.   I taught the second girl how to use the toilet and how to wipe.  I also taught them how to use the soap dispenser and the faucet.  They giggled as they washed their hands and started slicking water at each other.

            After lunch, we decided to go to the ice cream shop and allow them to decide their own flavors.  They looked down through the glass in confusion.  We had the woman working there explain to them they get to choose a flavor.  She gave them spoon fulls to test, and eventually they all chose chocolate fudge and sat down to eat it.  They kept eating off each others spoon and laughing when it touched their tongues.  I was so happy to see them laugh.

            The trip into town was chaotic because of the traffic while walking and finding a dala dala we could all fit into. We decided to call Jimmy, a tax driver, to take the girls home.  We piled the girls into the car and started driving away.  Immediately, they began crying and looked scared.  We had Jimmy ask them what was wrong.  They said they had stomach pains, like they were going to throw up.  This was their first car ride and they were terrified.  They had done well on the dala dalas, so we assumed the car ride would be fine as well.  Actually, it being a problem never even crossed my mind.  When we got to a point which was close enough to walk, we had Jimmy drop us off.  Emilie and I carried the girls home and they quietly sobbed into our shoulders and clung onto us tight.  I felt so guilty and sad that the car ride had upset them so much.  We dropped them off to Mama Anna, explained to her what happened, and then played with them until they were laughing again. 

             On our dala ride home, the driver pulled over to pick up a woman for a ride.  She started to climb inside, looked in, saw Emilie and me, pointed to us, and said, “hapana…muzungus” and then refused to get on the dala.  She looked at us in disgust.  I had never felt so racially or shallowly attacked.  As we drove away, the people in the dalas started talking among one another about how is she was too good for the dala, she can use a tax.  Who was she to judge the muzungus who came here to help?  They made me laugh, but I still felt an empty pit in my stomach and a lump in my throat.  By the time I got off the dala, I was angry at this woman, with no outlet.  I just started laughing at the ridiculousness.   I didn’t know what else to do.  What could I do?

            

04.08.2011 Arrival Home

04.08.2011 Arrival Home

            The bus ride home seemed shorter and more comfortable than the bus ride there.  Maybe it’s because I was so exhausted that I actually fell asleep.  We stopped more often that we did on the ride to Uganda, but the squatters weren’t any better.  I didn’t eat or drink.

              We arrived home and hopped on a dala dala to take us from Manzini to Sakina.  It was full, and with our bags, very uncomfortable.  But I felt at home!  I was so happy to be back in Arusha, although I loved Uganda.  I was even happy to see the garbage fires in the street, and feel the dust starting to collect in my nostrils.  

            We come home to a bunch of new orients.  Fresh meat!  Honestly, all I cared about was the toilet to pee, food because it had been a day since I ate, and my bed.  I was asleep by 2000. 

03.08.2011 Bus Ride Home to Arusha

03.08.2011 Bus Ride Home to Arusha

            Moses picked us up this afternoon to take up to the bus station.  It was in a back alley by a back street.  I don’t know how any of the locals remember where everything is.  All of it seems to be tucked in some small corner, with no signs.  We went two hours early, even though we knew the bus would be on African time (at least two hours late).  We didn’t want to eat, we didn’t want to drink, so we sat there.  We hardly even talked to one another because of our exhaustion.

            When the bus pulled in, I was relieved to sit in my seat and let the bus driver take over.  I drifted away in a broken sleep, where I dreamed of white rapids throwing me into the air. 

02.08.2011 Kampala

02.08.2011 Kampala

            Yesterday after bungee jumping we grabbed a bus to leave for Kampala.  We were going to do a city tour today.  It was sad leaving the Nile and leaving Brian, but we had a big city to see! We arrived in Kampala around 1900 yesterday evening, and took a tax to the Red Chille.  We grabbed dinner, got a couple Nile Specials, and had a low-key girls night.  We watched the monkeys play on our picnic table and run up and down the trees. They were so close, and it was so normal for me.  The zoo is never going to be the same.

            We woke at about 0900 this morning.  Moses picked us up.  Driving through Kampala was more kichaa (crazy) than driving through Arusha.  More cars, more botas, more dalas, more people, more chaos.  You have to trust the driver though, or you’ll cause yourself to have an aneurism.

        

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala

    Kampala is a large city that has its major buildings built on hills.  From one hill, you could look down and see the dirty streets, with beautiful buildings up on other hills behind.  The first place we went was a catholic church.  People were inside praying.  Taking our tour made me feel like I was intruding.  It was a beautiful building though, with beautiful paintings.  These paintings, however, were different from what I’ve seen in the museums at home.  The characters were black.

                                                              

Librini Palace

      

  Next we went to the Palace.  It looked run down.  No royalty has lived there for the last decade, but the family of the staff still did. There were shacks put up on the border of the grounds also.  We didn't go inside the palace itself, but we did go inside the dungeons. 

The dungeon.  

This picture was taken from the entry of the dungeon.  The rooms are to the left, on a platform.  The lower hallway-like area was filled with water.  When somebody was on the verge of death, or gave the guards too much trouble, they would be thrown into the water and then electrocuted. The king sent his guards out to find anyone who was intelligent, strong, good looking, or educated.  These were the men who died. 900,000 people were murdered between 1971-1979. 

So many people would be crowded into these rooms that people died from suffocation.  These are the foot and hand prints of some of the prisoners who died. 

The Kasubi Tombs 

Please go here to learn a little bit of the history of the tombs. 
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1022/

The inner architecture of the tomb's roofing.

Vandals burnt down the large tomb.  Reconstruction is under way.   

The burial sight. Many kings were laid to rest here.

Each of the king's wifes had a house for her and her family.  To this day, a female descendant of each wife still resides in  each hut. 

The original structures lacked cement walls.

Gadaffi Masque 

We were required to cover our hair and legs before entry.

Standing in front of the arch, overlooking the capital.

The Koran

The floor for women's prayers.

01.08.2011 Bungee Jumping

01.08.2011 Bungee Jumping

            What’s completely controlled but scarier that white water rafting?  Bungee jumping!  Today Kaylee, Emilie, and I took a bota bota to see the jump master.  I felt good vibes from his name alone.  Then he walked in, 45 minutes late, rasta-man style.  I fell in love with him!  He was warm, easy going, and funny.  He is from Zimbabwe, but came to Uganda to live and run this bungee jumping business; a few years running, and no deaths yet.  Kaylee and I were weighed, and paid 100USD each.  Emilie was nervous, and said she was going to wait until she saw us jump to even consider signing the papers.  She was quiet and pale, and did not look like she was having fun at all.  I was jumping up and down, releasing my excitement.  Finally, the process of signing away my life and all liability was over, and we were ready to go.

            As I was running up the stairs, I felt the tower swaying in the wind.  The jump master laughed at my excitement and said, “Alright, you’re first!”  When we got to the top, he turned on his radio.  Let the Bodies Hit the Floor.  Great.  Is this a joke?  At least the base was getting me psyched for the jump.  He wrapped my ankles in a towel and strapped me in tightly.  “This bungee can hold two tons.  This metal piece is to save your life.  These two are just incase the first one doesn’t work.  You have big feet so don’t worry about them slipping out.”  Wink. “Okay.  You’re going to hop over to this ledge, like this.” Hop, hop…and the tower shakes under his weight. “Hold on here with your right hand, here with your left.  Don’t look down, because you’re not getting your money back if you back out.” Wink. Okay…don’t look down.  Damn, now I want to look down.  I’m not wearing my glasses anyways so I won’t be able to see the bottom clearly.  The jump master grabbed onto my hand and helped me to breathe.  My abdominal cavity felt empty, like my organs left to find safety.  I kept telling myself, “Nothing will happen. This will be fine.  It’s all controlled.  They do this every day.”  I truly knew nothing would happen to me, but my instincts were on full power.  Flight or fight. Every part of my body was telling me, “Dummy…this isn’t natural.  Don’t jump off this 100 meter ledge. You’ll die.  You’re healthy, not ready to die.  Just turn around and say no.” My feet were heavy.  How am I going to jump off this ledge when my feet are so heavy?  Just fall.  No, he said to jump.  Jump like superman.  It’ll be the best pose for a picture.  Picture?  At least if I die, they’ll have cool photos to show at my funeral.  “THREE…TWO…ONE…BUNGEE.”  I felt my toes lifting my body and pushing up and over, off the edge.  Did I let go?  I must have. I’m falling. Free falling, and then I feel myself slowing as the bungee is pulled by my weight.  Shoot, tuck your chin and put your arms up, or get a bruised face as you hit the water.  I’m going back up. I didn’t hit the water.  Darn.  Wait, I just bungee jumped!  My body is shaking.  I start screaming to release some of the built up excitement and nervous tension.  I continue to go up and down, swinging upside down. I notice two men in a boat under me, smiling.  I start laughing and reaching for their outstretched paddle.  They pull me down, into the boat.  I continue laughing and shaking, and they start laughing at me and shaking their heads.  They take me to the stairs, and I start running up them.  My knees are wobbly at first, but they quickly steady themselves. 

            I run so I make it before Kaylee’s jump.  By the time I get there, she is falling off the ledge.  I start screaming for her, knowing the excitement and fright she was feeling at that moment.  “Jump master!  I’m going again!  Strap me in!”  Did I just say that?  Why am I going again?  I find myself in the chair again.  This time, Bob Marley is playing.  I start swaying my body and singing along to Buffalo Soldier.  The jump master joins me.  He is a rasta, after all. “Happy days.  I love your attitude.  You get off on things that scare you to death.  Quite an adrenaline junky, you are.  Right, okay.  I’m giving you this one for 50USD and then you get your ass back up here because I’m giving you a free third jump. Jump like you did last time for this one, but the third one, mate…we’re having you do a free fall backwards, 180 degrees.  It’s my favorite jump.  Right.  Happy days.” 

            I found myself standing at the edge again.  This is a little better.  My stomach is still missing and my feet are still heavy, but I know I can do this. “THREE…TWO…ONE…BUNGEE!”  Falling…slowing, chin tuck, my entire body is submerged by the Nile.  That’s okay, I wasn’t breathing anyways.  My head is loud for a second, and then I get ripped out of the water.  I start screaming.  My shirt is up above my neck.  Good thing I’m wearing a sports bra. I pull it down and start curving my body upwards, my arms outstretched.  It’s kind of like flying, only my ankles hurt.  I find myself grabbing for the ore, laughing again.  “We’re happy to see you again.”  I laugh in response.  “You’ll see me a third time, so don’t miss me too much.”  I’m out of the boat, running up the stairs again. 

            When I make it to the top, Emilie is standing at the edge.  She decided to go.  She can do it.  I grab my camera to record a video of the jump.  The jump master is talking to her.  Five minutes later, I stop the video.  I restart it.  I hear him yelling.  “THREE…TWO…ONE…BUNGEE!”  There she goes.  Down, up, down, up.  Silence.  Maybe she isn’t breathing still yet.  I scream for her, and get one is response. YAY!  She did it.  I bet it was more of a rush for her than it was for me, because she was so much more terrified. 

            My turn again.  Jump Master seats me back down in the chair and straps me back in, with the bungee in front rather than in back this time. I hop up to the ledge.  This is worse than even the first jump.  It’s more terrifying.  If I’m going to die, I want to see it.  Instincts jump in again.  Jumping forwards is more natural than letting your body free fall backwards.  Even when I fall back onto a bed, I naturally try to catch myself.  I tell him I can’t do it. “No, you can do it.”  He grabs my hand.  I look into his big, chocolate eyes.  They are calm.  He is calm.  He is calm and comforting.  I can do this.  He’s right here.  Just let yourself fall.  It’s easy.  Just let go.  I let go.  I feel the wind around my face and hear it in my ears.  I fell, and then continued to fall backwards until I was upside down.  My stomach had been back, but got left behind.  It’s somewhere up on the ledge with the jump master.  My head grazes the water.  I feel my blood pumping through my neck, to my head. So many emotions in so few seconds.  I close my eyes and sore. You’ve got to live life while you’re alive.