Weather in Uganda currently:
When it rains, it's SUPER muddy. When it's dry, the dirt is cracked. Average temp over the last couple days? About low to mid 70s. MUHAHAHAHAHAH.....It's hotter in California than it is in Africa!
So here is some Uganglish I found funny:
Pants = underwear
Hotel = restaurant
Mariah (pronounced malayah) = prostitute
Chai = coffee or tea. Usually tea and no it's not chai tea.
Rolex = rolled egg. say rolled eggs fast and it sounds like rolex. Also, if you ask for an egg roll, they literally roll an egg and give it to you.
And funny/annoying things in Lugbarra (my dialect):
1. e'fu is pronounced F-U and means morning.
2. like chinese, lugbarra is a tonal language. So I can say ti ti and mean the cow hanged itself. there are a ton of tongue twisters...
3. mi = you, ma = me
4. to tell time: 7am = 1, 8 am = 2, etc. then... 7pm = 1, 8pm= 2, etc. -___-- Oh! what time is it? It's 2 (8 am/pm).
On a side note...
As I was walking down the street, some local girls started asking me questions. Religion, of course being the main topic.
Local girl: "TIffany, did you know that the bible says it is wrong for men to wear women's clothing and for women to wear mens clothing?"
Me: "Does it say that? I don't recall anything in the bible saying women can't wear pants or men skirts."
Local girl: "Yes it does. I will show you the verse."
Me: "Please do."
Local girl: "Women who wear trousers are prostitutes."
Me: "I've seen many local women wear trousers."
Local girl: "At night?"
Me: "No, during the day."
-she didn't really respond after that.
Finally...I GOT SOY SAUCE!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
bum bum bum...
okay….
ugandan tv is…uh interesting? Most drama shows seem to feature about 3 not great actors (usually 2 girls and a guy) in one room and the whole story happens in that room in luganda (which i don't understand so I can't tell you about what's going on). Then there's news, which can be quite graphic and of course the Spanish novellas. Wait what? Yes, Spanish novellas. But wait! There's a twist. It's a Spanish soap opera featuring a Spanish title but the actors (who are terrible- worse than Kristen Stewart) speak in English. But that's not the worse part…there's a male voice over in luganda that is sometimes on top of the English, sometimes behind it and sometimes in front of it. And of course, the male voice is monotone for every line of the script, whether male/female, happy/sad/angry, etc. And he's loud -__-.
Bottom lime…I've given up on Ugandan tv. Not that I'm much of a tv lover to begin with.
But I did see an interesting ad on tv tonight while waiting for dinner (which was french fries and a scrambled egg courtesy of the family as they know I don't eat matooke). Here's the ad:
"Raising voices--because a violence free childhood is every child's right."
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above ad/quote.
-And yes, child abuse/domestic violence (and even more animal abuse) happens here. But there are TONS of organizations working on fixing these issues.
Moving on…
Yesterday, I went to a Japanese orphanage here in Wakiso. FYI, most organizations here are based on foreign funding and will fail without it. Somehow, it seems like it hasn't occurred to them to actually try to become financially sustainable? Anyways, I've posted a picture of some paper beads the orphanage is making to help raise a tiny bit of funds. They cost about $10 and are made by the workers/kids of the orphanage. These bead necklaces are common here and if you are interested in ones that are cheaper and don't help the children, I'd be happy to find some for you too. Let me know! Picture of the beads is on tibbyme.tumblr.com.
Today, we checked out a restaurant owned by a local female. The restaurant was started by her mother 25 years ago. Uganda has a high rate of startups and failures in businesses so we went to the community to talk to them to figure out the motivation behind the businesses and how the business is run.
So apparently, as a single mother, the only option you have to make money is to own a business. However, owning a business appears to be a last resort? At least, that's what the staff made it sound like. So for this particular business, which sells traditional food, they were one of the first restaurant (if not the first) in that particular location so they managed to develop a loyal customer base. I did ask whether they ever do any type of advertising or marketing or anything to attract new customers. Answer: no. Has it ever occurred for them to? Answer: no. Okay, record keeping? She (the owner), like many Ugandans, keep the figures in her head. Nothing is ever written down. However, she did know the exact number of plates she sold today as of the exact time I asked her (69 plates). Cool?
So…lessons learned from today's business training session:
1. Ugandans love to copy and paste. Ex: that business works, lets move across the street and make the exact replica. Obviously, their in business, they must be making money so I will too.
2. Feel free to take any knowledge you learn and make your own shop. Who cares if you steal someone else's recipes and use them for yourself.
3. Ugandans are afraid of change…hence copy and paste.
4. In the area I am to be posted, most likely the people have yet to learn algebra and have limited reading skills.
5. Everyone wants to start a business but no one thinks the idea out thoroughly. There may be 8 people who want to open the same thing in the same place at once. Or the ideas aren't feasible or sustainable.
6. I have ALOT of work cut out for me. Fun stuff!
Other facts I've learned about Uganda:
1. I live in a petri dish. Seriously, everything's here…Everything. And everything grows here.
2. For a place that can pretty much grow anything, they have seriously bland food. They have avocados, tomatoes, and tons of other veggies but it has never occurred for them to mix stuff together to make new foods instead of eating everything separately. So salads are an introduced item. And for a place that produces a ridiculous amount of bananas and pineapples, I have not seen any dried fruit…
3. If you figure out where Peace Corps or other foreigners live (not in Kampala), you can make a killing selling them American food/items. Seriously, in Wakiso, where I am right now, all someone has to do is rent out a store 2x a year (when the volunteers come in) and sell non Ugandan items and they'll make a ton (in Ugandan standards).
4. Don't touch the water. Seriously, you'll most likely get shiest if you touch any lake water. However, it doesn't mean you shouldn't go water rafting on the Nile. Apparently, that's worth it. You can self treat afterwards anyways. There's no need for prescriptions in Uganda. Everything's over the counter.
5. Oranges here are green! Try explaining to someone why oranges are called oranges =)
6. Greetings are VERY important. They can determine whether someone will help you if you ever need help.
7. If someone calls you fat here, it's a compliment. Following that line of thought, skinny is an insult!
8. Don't talk about homosexuality.
9. Prepared to be asked a million times about your religion by everyone.
10. Now I know how famous people feel when they have fans all over the place. Little children LOVE to yell and wave and jump up and down when they see foreigners. They usually say "see you muzungu (white person)" or "how are you china". I do get tired of waving at every single kid though…
Finally…I think I'm broke (unless I change money or wait until next week when I get allowance). I spent my funds on…Head and Shoulders Shampoo! Cost me 15000 Shillings!!! (divide by 2701 to get USD) But totally worth it over some generic brand here. I should still have enough money to get a coke or a chapati or other small snack (like popcorn). If not, well…hello friend! Thank you for sharing =). (Don't worry, I'll share back too…)
And that's all folks! For now….
-and I did post some pictures today (www.tibbyme.tumblr.com). It cost me $2-3 to post those pictures! That's how much uploading kills my air time. I'm going to have to find a better method to post pictures.
<3 Tiff
ugandan tv is…uh interesting? Most drama shows seem to feature about 3 not great actors (usually 2 girls and a guy) in one room and the whole story happens in that room in luganda (which i don't understand so I can't tell you about what's going on). Then there's news, which can be quite graphic and of course the Spanish novellas. Wait what? Yes, Spanish novellas. But wait! There's a twist. It's a Spanish soap opera featuring a Spanish title but the actors (who are terrible- worse than Kristen Stewart) speak in English. But that's not the worse part…there's a male voice over in luganda that is sometimes on top of the English, sometimes behind it and sometimes in front of it. And of course, the male voice is monotone for every line of the script, whether male/female, happy/sad/angry, etc. And he's loud -__-.
Bottom lime…I've given up on Ugandan tv. Not that I'm much of a tv lover to begin with.
But I did see an interesting ad on tv tonight while waiting for dinner (which was french fries and a scrambled egg courtesy of the family as they know I don't eat matooke). Here's the ad:
"Raising voices--because a violence free childhood is every child's right."
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above ad/quote.
-And yes, child abuse/domestic violence (and even more animal abuse) happens here. But there are TONS of organizations working on fixing these issues.
Moving on…
Yesterday, I went to a Japanese orphanage here in Wakiso. FYI, most organizations here are based on foreign funding and will fail without it. Somehow, it seems like it hasn't occurred to them to actually try to become financially sustainable? Anyways, I've posted a picture of some paper beads the orphanage is making to help raise a tiny bit of funds. They cost about $10 and are made by the workers/kids of the orphanage. These bead necklaces are common here and if you are interested in ones that are cheaper and don't help the children, I'd be happy to find some for you too. Let me know! Picture of the beads is on tibbyme.tumblr.com.
Today, we checked out a restaurant owned by a local female. The restaurant was started by her mother 25 years ago. Uganda has a high rate of startups and failures in businesses so we went to the community to talk to them to figure out the motivation behind the businesses and how the business is run.
So apparently, as a single mother, the only option you have to make money is to own a business. However, owning a business appears to be a last resort? At least, that's what the staff made it sound like. So for this particular business, which sells traditional food, they were one of the first restaurant (if not the first) in that particular location so they managed to develop a loyal customer base. I did ask whether they ever do any type of advertising or marketing or anything to attract new customers. Answer: no. Has it ever occurred for them to? Answer: no. Okay, record keeping? She (the owner), like many Ugandans, keep the figures in her head. Nothing is ever written down. However, she did know the exact number of plates she sold today as of the exact time I asked her (69 plates). Cool?
So…lessons learned from today's business training session:
1. Ugandans love to copy and paste. Ex: that business works, lets move across the street and make the exact replica. Obviously, their in business, they must be making money so I will too.
2. Feel free to take any knowledge you learn and make your own shop. Who cares if you steal someone else's recipes and use them for yourself.
3. Ugandans are afraid of change…hence copy and paste.
4. In the area I am to be posted, most likely the people have yet to learn algebra and have limited reading skills.
5. Everyone wants to start a business but no one thinks the idea out thoroughly. There may be 8 people who want to open the same thing in the same place at once. Or the ideas aren't feasible or sustainable.
6. I have ALOT of work cut out for me. Fun stuff!
Other facts I've learned about Uganda:
1. I live in a petri dish. Seriously, everything's here…Everything. And everything grows here.
2. For a place that can pretty much grow anything, they have seriously bland food. They have avocados, tomatoes, and tons of other veggies but it has never occurred for them to mix stuff together to make new foods instead of eating everything separately. So salads are an introduced item. And for a place that produces a ridiculous amount of bananas and pineapples, I have not seen any dried fruit…
3. If you figure out where Peace Corps or other foreigners live (not in Kampala), you can make a killing selling them American food/items. Seriously, in Wakiso, where I am right now, all someone has to do is rent out a store 2x a year (when the volunteers come in) and sell non Ugandan items and they'll make a ton (in Ugandan standards).
4. Don't touch the water. Seriously, you'll most likely get shiest if you touch any lake water. However, it doesn't mean you shouldn't go water rafting on the Nile. Apparently, that's worth it. You can self treat afterwards anyways. There's no need for prescriptions in Uganda. Everything's over the counter.
5. Oranges here are green! Try explaining to someone why oranges are called oranges =)
6. Greetings are VERY important. They can determine whether someone will help you if you ever need help.
7. If someone calls you fat here, it's a compliment. Following that line of thought, skinny is an insult!
8. Don't talk about homosexuality.
9. Prepared to be asked a million times about your religion by everyone.
10. Now I know how famous people feel when they have fans all over the place. Little children LOVE to yell and wave and jump up and down when they see foreigners. They usually say "see you muzungu (white person)" or "how are you china". I do get tired of waving at every single kid though…
Finally…I think I'm broke (unless I change money or wait until next week when I get allowance). I spent my funds on…Head and Shoulders Shampoo! Cost me 15000 Shillings!!! (divide by 2701 to get USD) But totally worth it over some generic brand here. I should still have enough money to get a coke or a chapati or other small snack (like popcorn). If not, well…hello friend! Thank you for sharing =). (Don't worry, I'll share back too…)
And that's all folks! For now….
-and I did post some pictures today (www.tibbyme.tumblr.com). It cost me $2-3 to post those pictures! That's how much uploading kills my air time. I'm going to have to find a better method to post pictures.
<3 Tiff
Monday, August 22, 2011
i got my first mosquito bites...
at least it took this long for them to bite me!
and from my group....George says hello!
O, and im eating way too much potatoes and bread/rice.
i eat:
breakfast: egg, bread, tea, banana, maybe a bite of cookie or energy bar
tea time: samosas
lunch: rice, beans, veges, meat, fruit
snack: potatoes or chapati (thick tortilla)
dinner: rice, veges, meat (lately),
theres also another tea time in there but i usually dont eat that...
here's a picture of matooke (steamed banannas): matooke and rice
posho: posho
and chapati: chapati
and from my group....George says hello!
O, and im eating way too much potatoes and bread/rice.
i eat:
breakfast: egg, bread, tea, banana, maybe a bite of cookie or energy bar
tea time: samosas
lunch: rice, beans, veges, meat, fruit
snack: potatoes or chapati (thick tortilla)
dinner: rice, veges, meat (lately),
theres also another tea time in there but i usually dont eat that...
here's a picture of matooke (steamed banannas): matooke and rice
posho: posho
and chapati: chapati
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Njagala Nanas!
2 observations:
1. I have been eating a ridiculous amount of starch. I need to watch my diet
2. my computers getting slow…start up is taking much longer than it used to.
Today, we went to the market. I learned a couple new vocab words.The locals were delighted when they saw that I had purchased a pineapple. So as I walk home with a pineapple, I hear "muzungu/china nanas!" (white person/chinese pineapple). And so I replied to their laughter, "njagala nanas!" (i like pineapples).
There also happened to be someone playing American country at the market place. So of course I had to sing along…= laughter abound.
what is a typical day during PST?
-wake up at 7
-breakfast and walk to school, arriving at 8
-8-5 is class with 1 tea break (which serves food) and a lunch break
-after school, hang out with friends at the bar or another gathering spot until just before sunset (around 630)
-arrive at home at 7. optional tea time (they serve it but im excused from eating/drinking if I don't want to)
-dinner between 8-830. I am usually served rice (omuchere), cabbage/vegetables (enboga/nakati) and lately I have been getting some meat, which is great.
-bucket bath at 9 and then bed whenever I decide to sleep.
I get to go to immersion for language in my region in 2 weeks so that'll be exciting.
on a side note….someone please help me think of tips to stay awake! As I'm sure many of you know…I'm terrible at staying awake during lessons/lectures/anything that requires a lot of other people talking and me listening with no interaction. I have tried 1) counting tiles 2) doodling 3) sitting up front 4) paying attention and nothing seems to work! Everytime, I end up dozing for a couple minutes. It sucks! And everyone seems to think it's because I'm on medication or something. So por favor… lol please help me think of ideas to stay awake.
-I have no coffee here. It's either too weak or nonexistent so that's of no help.
okay. that's all the down low for now. I did get a chance to use a swimming pool today which was nice but pricey (we were charged muzungu pricing).
Cheers,
Tiff
1. I have been eating a ridiculous amount of starch. I need to watch my diet
2. my computers getting slow…start up is taking much longer than it used to.
Today, we went to the market. I learned a couple new vocab words.The locals were delighted when they saw that I had purchased a pineapple. So as I walk home with a pineapple, I hear "muzungu/china nanas!" (white person/chinese pineapple). And so I replied to their laughter, "njagala nanas!" (i like pineapples).
There also happened to be someone playing American country at the market place. So of course I had to sing along…= laughter abound.
what is a typical day during PST?
-wake up at 7
-breakfast and walk to school, arriving at 8
-8-5 is class with 1 tea break (which serves food) and a lunch break
-after school, hang out with friends at the bar or another gathering spot until just before sunset (around 630)
-arrive at home at 7. optional tea time (they serve it but im excused from eating/drinking if I don't want to)
-dinner between 8-830. I am usually served rice (omuchere), cabbage/vegetables (enboga/nakati) and lately I have been getting some meat, which is great.
-bucket bath at 9 and then bed whenever I decide to sleep.
I get to go to immersion for language in my region in 2 weeks so that'll be exciting.
on a side note….someone please help me think of tips to stay awake! As I'm sure many of you know…I'm terrible at staying awake during lessons/lectures/anything that requires a lot of other people talking and me listening with no interaction. I have tried 1) counting tiles 2) doodling 3) sitting up front 4) paying attention and nothing seems to work! Everytime, I end up dozing for a couple minutes. It sucks! And everyone seems to think it's because I'm on medication or something. So por favor… lol please help me think of ideas to stay awake.
-I have no coffee here. It's either too weak or nonexistent so that's of no help.
okay. that's all the down low for now. I did get a chance to use a swimming pool today which was nice but pricey (we were charged muzungu pricing).
Cheers,
Tiff
Thursday, August 18, 2011
if you want to send stuff...
please send to me here:
Sister Tiffany Tai-PCT
PO BOX 29348
Kampala, Uganda
my chances of receiving the package completely intact are better if you put pictures of jesus on the package and bible quotes.*
*no one wants to cut through jesus' face to get to the items. they're very religious here....
Sister Tiffany Tai-PCT
PO BOX 29348
Kampala, Uganda
my chances of receiving the package completely intact are better if you put pictures of jesus on the package and bible quotes.*
*no one wants to cut through jesus' face to get to the items. they're very religious here....
quick update!
Today we did an exercise on life cycles…basically a chart that shows who we are with words. So I started out with three regions to my name…
ASIA
Tiffany USA
AFRICA
After doing the associations and creating a more detailed chart of my life, I realized that everything I have done has been connected and led to this. And I feel that as I continue on in life, everything will stay connected.
Ie. My family came from Asia to the US. Growing up in the US, I picked up Chinese and Spanish (reading mostly). I returned to Asia to study. From there, I made amazing new friends and connections. Coming home, family and my experience in Asia helped me land a job. During that job, I worked with our Asia office as well as customers all over the world including Africa. Applying for Peace Corps, it was those job duties and past experiences in other countries and languages that gave me the qualifications to become a Peace Corps volunteer. Those qualifications led to placement in Africa. After service, I will return to the US, likely find a job/go back to school relating to something I found of interest here and eventually make my way back to Asia as well.
Geez.
Anyhow, I finally borrowed a charger to charge my laptop. Tomorrow, hopefully I can hit the Apple store in Kampala (or someone will go for me) to get a most likely over priced Apple charger for my laptop.
And I have an field training tomorrow =) so I'll be out trying something new (PACA).
If you want to send me packages….please do! Talk to Jon, James or my Mom. I want food items! Haha, and t-shirts or skirts (below the knee) I guess. I hear old navy has some good yoga skirts *wink*
Onwards, language training is good, although it's frustrating that meanings keep changing…I should have an immersion week and site visit in a couple weeks which will help.
quick answers:
1. host family is great. american names are common
2. weather has been rainy (rainy season) on and off but relatively nice. not too hot or cold
3. primary food...matooke (steamed and nutrientless bananas, rice, potatoes, cassava (starch), pocho (starch), beans...so basically starch!
4. yes i plan to get a dog...
5. currently with other volunteers at training. after a couple more weeks, we will separate to site which may then be either one or two of us by ourselves or possibly with others. they're still deciding.
And I will try to upload pics!
ale emi saaru (i love you all! - i think that's how you write it…the pronouns lose me occasionally)
Cheers,
Tiff
ASIA
Tiffany USA
AFRICA
After doing the associations and creating a more detailed chart of my life, I realized that everything I have done has been connected and led to this. And I feel that as I continue on in life, everything will stay connected.
Ie. My family came from Asia to the US. Growing up in the US, I picked up Chinese and Spanish (reading mostly). I returned to Asia to study. From there, I made amazing new friends and connections. Coming home, family and my experience in Asia helped me land a job. During that job, I worked with our Asia office as well as customers all over the world including Africa. Applying for Peace Corps, it was those job duties and past experiences in other countries and languages that gave me the qualifications to become a Peace Corps volunteer. Those qualifications led to placement in Africa. After service, I will return to the US, likely find a job/go back to school relating to something I found of interest here and eventually make my way back to Asia as well.
Geez.
Anyhow, I finally borrowed a charger to charge my laptop. Tomorrow, hopefully I can hit the Apple store in Kampala (or someone will go for me) to get a most likely over priced Apple charger for my laptop.
And I have an field training tomorrow =) so I'll be out trying something new (PACA).
If you want to send me packages….please do! Talk to Jon, James or my Mom. I want food items! Haha, and t-shirts or skirts (below the knee) I guess. I hear old navy has some good yoga skirts *wink*
Onwards, language training is good, although it's frustrating that meanings keep changing…I should have an immersion week and site visit in a couple weeks which will help.
quick answers:
1. host family is great. american names are common
2. weather has been rainy (rainy season) on and off but relatively nice. not too hot or cold
3. primary food...matooke (steamed and nutrientless bananas, rice, potatoes, cassava (starch), pocho (starch), beans...so basically starch!
4. yes i plan to get a dog...
5. currently with other volunteers at training. after a couple more weeks, we will separate to site which may then be either one or two of us by ourselves or possibly with others. they're still deciding.
And I will try to upload pics!
ale emi saaru (i love you all! - i think that's how you write it…the pronouns lose me occasionally)
Cheers,
Tiff
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Wish me luck on the night bucket...
Mi ngoni! (hello- this time in lugbarra, the language I'll be learning)
I'm now at my homestay family who I call jaja (grandparent) and their three grandchildren- masa, nakabundascovia, and Stellah. I have a toliet, shower and sink! But no running water :(. Lol so they built a well and are working on getting all the pipes connected. In the mean time, there's a pit latrine outside ( or my night bucket inside) and basin showers using my hand. Electricity is sporadic but I have it! They even have tile floors! I'm so happppppppy to be here and not on dirt floors surrounded by animals like others are. Lol.
I'll be here for 3 months :) and I've fully recovered. :) :)
So far, ive learned how to wash dishes and get water from the well.
O...and their pit latrine hole is the size of a brick :(. Better aim well...
Double o! Airline Brussels stole my laptop charger!! They told me at the gate that I had to check my backpack cause the plane was "full" And when I got it back, the charger was gone. Good thing I took everything else valuable out of there. But shout out to flight attendant Carlos who gave the best service I've had on a flight in 5 years.
Internet? Not really. I got a sim card that works the Internet on my phone. Anyhow, sorry this post is so unorganized. It's hard to type on a phone.
I'll try and upload pics to tibbyme.tumblr.com.
Wish me luck on the night bucket tonight!
Cheers,
Tiff
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 9, 2011, at 9:18 PM, Tiffany Tai wrote:
Well hello there!
Nsanyuse okukulaba (it's nice to see you!)
It's been a coupe days and I'm happy to say...I've made it to Uganda!
We left Philly on the 3rd and arrived here on the 4th. Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday :) it was very memorable birthday! My training group sang me happy birthday at the airport. Everyone stared... =)
We arrived in Luganda thursday night and are currently staying in banana village. This little resort (I guess it's a resort?) is quaint and great. It's got monkeys, horses, cats, dogs, and a rooster that wont shut up.
So far, the weather has been a constant and extremely nice. But that may be just this little area im in as it seems to have a micro climate. LOl.
So far...I've met 45 other people and have had my intro interviews, started survival Luganda language lessons, and have been in lectures from 830 am to 7 pm.
Anyhow, I now have a phone (cheap to call back to the US!) and data plans arent currently working on my iphone....I'll just have to wait to get a internet modem. We leave this week for homestays for the next 9 weeks before we see our potential site. I will be located in the West Nile region (next to congo and sudan border) and will be learning Lugbara, which has arabic influences. So if anyone has the Rosetta Stone for Arabic, please send it to me!
Some facts about my current training group:
-16 males and 30 females
-ages: 19 between 22-26 years, 12 between 27-32 years, 1 between 33-50 years, and 14 over 50 years old. We have the most diverse group they've had in terms of ages.
-there's 5 couples serving together, one of which actually met when they served as volunteers in another country a couple years ago.
-Cali is representing! lol. We have the most volunteers with Texas coming in second and than Florida.
Moving on, I also met my new country director. A very nice armenian woman. Thank you to the Helmich Family for the Armenian phrases. Not that she won't remember me...I'm the only Asian in my group.
Shout out...Hey Alex! there are no starbucks currently in Uganda.
Final note...I think I'm on sugar withdrawal =(. I'm definitely not feeling 100%. And I've got the runs... sorry if TMI! But some people here are actually sick! And I have no jet lag.
So currently participating in the following:
bucket baths
pit latrines
night poo poo buckets
tons of starch (that I've not been eating...)
cold showers
good news...I have SOME electricity here. and occasionally warm water. Who knows after this week.
Alrighty,
I'm off. I'll try to update as soon as I can.
Cheers,
Tiffany
I'm now at my homestay family who I call jaja (grandparent) and their three grandchildren- masa, nakabundascovia, and Stellah. I have a toliet, shower and sink! But no running water :(. Lol so they built a well and are working on getting all the pipes connected. In the mean time, there's a pit latrine outside ( or my night bucket inside) and basin showers using my hand. Electricity is sporadic but I have it! They even have tile floors! I'm so happppppppy to be here and not on dirt floors surrounded by animals like others are. Lol.
I'll be here for 3 months :) and I've fully recovered. :) :)
So far, ive learned how to wash dishes and get water from the well.
O...and their pit latrine hole is the size of a brick :(. Better aim well...
Double o! Airline Brussels stole my laptop charger!! They told me at the gate that I had to check my backpack cause the plane was "full" And when I got it back, the charger was gone. Good thing I took everything else valuable out of there. But shout out to flight attendant Carlos who gave the best service I've had on a flight in 5 years.
Internet? Not really. I got a sim card that works the Internet on my phone. Anyhow, sorry this post is so unorganized. It's hard to type on a phone.
I'll try and upload pics to tibbyme.tumblr.com.
Wish me luck on the night bucket tonight!
Cheers,
Tiff
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 9, 2011, at 9:18 PM, Tiffany Tai
Well hello there!
Nsanyuse okukulaba (it's nice to see you!)
It's been a coupe days and I'm happy to say...I've made it to Uganda!
We left Philly on the 3rd and arrived here on the 4th. Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday :) it was very memorable birthday! My training group sang me happy birthday at the airport. Everyone stared... =)
We arrived in Luganda thursday night and are currently staying in banana village. This little resort (I guess it's a resort?) is quaint and great. It's got monkeys, horses, cats, dogs, and a rooster that wont shut up.
So far, the weather has been a constant and extremely nice. But that may be just this little area im in as it seems to have a micro climate. LOl.
So far...I've met 45 other people and have had my intro interviews, started survival Luganda language lessons, and have been in lectures from 830 am to 7 pm.
Anyhow, I now have a phone (cheap to call back to the US!) and data plans arent currently working on my iphone....I'll just have to wait to get a internet modem. We leave this week for homestays for the next 9 weeks before we see our potential site. I will be located in the West Nile region (next to congo and sudan border) and will be learning Lugbara, which has arabic influences. So if anyone has the Rosetta Stone for Arabic, please send it to me!
Some facts about my current training group:
-16 males and 30 females
-ages: 19 between 22-26 years, 12 between 27-32 years, 1 between 33-50 years, and 14 over 50 years old. We have the most diverse group they've had in terms of ages.
-there's 5 couples serving together, one of which actually met when they served as volunteers in another country a couple years ago.
-Cali is representing! lol. We have the most volunteers with Texas coming in second and than Florida.
Moving on, I also met my new country director. A very nice armenian woman. Thank you to the Helmich Family for the Armenian phrases. Not that she won't remember me...I'm the only Asian in my group.
Shout out...Hey Alex! there are no starbucks currently in Uganda.
Final note...I think I'm on sugar withdrawal =(. I'm definitely not feeling 100%. And I've got the runs... sorry if TMI! But some people here are actually sick! And I have no jet lag.
So currently participating in the following:
bucket baths
pit latrines
night poo poo buckets
tons of starch (that I've not been eating...)
cold showers
good news...I have SOME electricity here. and occasionally warm water. Who knows after this week.
Alrighty,
I'm off. I'll try to update as soon as I can.
Cheers,
Tiffany
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Greetings from Uganda!
Well hello there!
Nsanyuse okukulaba (it's nice to see you!)
It's been a coupe days and I'm happy to say...I've made it to Uganda!
We left Philly on the 3rd and arrived here on the 4th. Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday :) it was very memorable birthday! My training group sang me happy birthday at the airport. Everyone stared... =)
We arrived in Luganda thursday night and are currently staying in banana village. This little resort (I guess it's a resort?) is quaint and great. It's got monkeys, horses, cats, dogs, and a rooster that wont shut up.
So far, the weather has been a constant and extremely nice. But that may be just this little area im in as it seems to have a micro climate. LOl.
So far...I've met 45 other people and have had my intro interviews, started survival Luganda language lessons, and have been in lectures from 830 am to 7 pm.
Anyhow, I now have a phone (cheap to call back to the US!) and data plans arent currently working on my iphone....I'll just have to wait to get a internet modem. We leave this week for homestays for the next 9 weeks before we see our potential site. I will be located in the West Nile region (next to congo and sudan border) and will be learning Lugbara, which has arabic influences. So if anyone has the Rosetta Stone for Arabic, please send it to me!
Some facts about my current training group:
-16 males and 30 females
-ages: 19 between 22-26 years, 12 between 27-32 years, 1 between 33-50 years, and 14 over 50 years old. We have the most diverse group they've had in terms of ages.
-there's 5 couples serving together, one of which actually met when they served as volunteers in another country a couple years ago.
-Cali is representing! lol. We have the most volunteers with Texas coming in second and than Florida.
Moving on, I also met my new country director. A very nice armenian woman. Thank you to the Helmich Family for the Armenian phrases. Not that she won't remember me...I'm the only Asian in my group.
Shout out...Hey Alex! there are no starbucks currently in Uganda.
Final note...I think I'm on sugar withdrawal =(. I'm definitely not feeling 100%. And I've got the runs... sorry if TMI! But some people here are actually sick! And I have no jet lag.
So currently participating in the following:
bucket baths
pit latrines
night poo poo buckets
tons of starch (that I've not been eating...)
cold showers
good news...I have SOME electricity here. and occasionally warm water. Who knows after this week.
Alrighty,
I'm off. I'll try to update as soon as I can.
Cheers,
Tiffany
Nsanyuse okukulaba (it's nice to see you!)
It's been a coupe days and I'm happy to say...I've made it to Uganda!
We left Philly on the 3rd and arrived here on the 4th. Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday :) it was very memorable birthday! My training group sang me happy birthday at the airport. Everyone stared... =)
We arrived in Luganda thursday night and are currently staying in banana village. This little resort (I guess it's a resort?) is quaint and great. It's got monkeys, horses, cats, dogs, and a rooster that wont shut up.
So far, the weather has been a constant and extremely nice. But that may be just this little area im in as it seems to have a micro climate. LOl.
So far...I've met 45 other people and have had my intro interviews, started survival Luganda language lessons, and have been in lectures from 830 am to 7 pm.
Anyhow, I now have a phone (cheap to call back to the US!) and data plans arent currently working on my iphone....I'll just have to wait to get a internet modem. We leave this week for homestays for the next 9 weeks before we see our potential site. I will be located in the West Nile region (next to congo and sudan border) and will be learning Lugbara, which has arabic influences. So if anyone has the Rosetta Stone for Arabic, please send it to me!
Some facts about my current training group:
-16 males and 30 females
-ages: 19 between 22-26 years, 12 between 27-32 years, 1 between 33-50 years, and 14 over 50 years old. We have the most diverse group they've had in terms of ages.
-there's 5 couples serving together, one of which actually met when they served as volunteers in another country a couple years ago.
-Cali is representing! lol. We have the most volunteers with Texas coming in second and than Florida.
Moving on, I also met my new country director. A very nice armenian woman. Thank you to the Helmich Family for the Armenian phrases. Not that she won't remember me...I'm the only Asian in my group.
Shout out...Hey Alex! there are no starbucks currently in Uganda.
Final note...I think I'm on sugar withdrawal =(. I'm definitely not feeling 100%. And I've got the runs... sorry if TMI! But some people here are actually sick! And I have no jet lag.
So currently participating in the following:
bucket baths
pit latrines
night poo poo buckets
tons of starch (that I've not been eating...)
cold showers
good news...I have SOME electricity here. and occasionally warm water. Who knows after this week.
Alrighty,
I'm off. I'll try to update as soon as I can.
Cheers,
Tiffany
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
And the Adventure begins....I'm almost there!
I flew into Phily for staging which happens today and tomorrow. Mmm...I had my first Philly Cheesesteak! Actually...it was only so so to me. Maybe I should've gone to another place?
Anyways, staging starts at noon and then tomorrow we fly!
I'll miss everyone! Thank you to everyone who came out to say goodbye!
Also, thank you to the following:
Alex Chen and CalDigit (www.caldigit.com): VR mini, cake, card and flowers
Pamela (www.bebreathtaking.com): Kindle
Amy Dear: Extra battery and dinkie dino
Jon: knife (lol)
Jie: books
Mrs. Z: amazon
mom/dad/agon/tsai family!
...and everyone else!
Anyways, staging starts at noon and then tomorrow we fly!
I'll miss everyone! Thank you to everyone who came out to say goodbye!
Also, thank you to the following:
Alex Chen and CalDigit (www.caldigit.com): VR mini, cake, card and flowers
Pamela (www.bebreathtaking.com): Kindle
Amy Dear: Extra battery and dinkie dino
Jon: knife (lol)
Jie: books
Mrs. Z: amazon
mom/dad/agon/tsai family!
...and everyone else!
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