So, this weekend we went up to Murchison Falls National Park. We left right after school on Thursday, which meant we didn't have to go to school on Friday! Yeah! Anyway, we drove for about 3 hours to get to Misindi where we spent the night. We got up early the next morning and went "chimp tracking." What an adventure that was. We literally were walking through the jungle looking for chimpanzee's. It definitely was an adventure I won't be forgetting anytime soon. It was so cool to hear them screaming and thinking, "I'm not in a zoo, these are the real deal!" I think we saw two the entire time. We got to sit and watch one of them for about 10 minutes. When we were ready to go, we started into the jungle to get back to the car, but we had taken a path that was full of safari ants (they are ants that get up your legs and bite you and there are always a ton of them). We were trying to run through them and get them off at the same time. Mckay and Hannah were in tears, we ended up lost and having to walk through mud. Looking back, it was so funny! The things that only happen in Africa. :)
After we got out of the jungle, continued to drive to Murchison Falls. It took about another 2 hours to actually get to the park. Once we got there and checked into our hotel we went to the falls. It was SO cool!!! It is basically the white Nile being forced into a chasm 7 meters wide. Crazy. It was so beautiful. After, we went back to our hotel and had dinner and went to bed.
Saturday morning we got up at 5 and had breakfast at 5:30. We left at 6 so we could make the 7 o'clock ferry ride across the river. Luckily, we made it across (the boat looked really sketchy, I'm still not sure how 8 cars fit on it). On the other side of the river was the game drive. We saw lots of amazing animals! It felt like we were in a zoo. Giraffes, dik diks, water buffalo, water bucks, cob, hartabeast, and elephants. One funny story: we were driving along, and we came across a lone, bull elephant. He was right in the middle of the road so we couldn't pass him. We sat there for 20 minutes watching him eat. He didn't show any signs of moving either. Slowly, dad started to get close, to try and pass him. Once we got about 10 feet away from him, he turned around and you could tell that he was pretty mad at us. We got out of there fast! It was scary, but funny at the same time. :) Then driving back, we saw a whole herd of elephants. That was pretty amazing, I'm not going to lie. After we left the park, we drove the 5/6 hours back home. I am definitely glad to be home. What a fun trip it was!! :)
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
March 23rd
Today was one of the best day's I've had in a long time. :)
It started with Biology. Instead of taking notes or learning about the brain, our teacher told jokes the entire time. I love those lessons where your teacher wastes time. I've never had one tell jokes before though. It was pretty cool.
To make the day even better, it was an early out. So we got out of school at 1 (that is when lunch starts). It was nice to take away 2 classes. It was so nice to have somewhat of an afternoon.
When we got home, Dad had a surprise for us. He had bought Tangled from who-knows-where (probably a side store), and it was only 6,000 schillings (that's around $3)! When I first saw the case, my first reaction was: this isn't going to work. To our surprise, it ended up working. It wasn't a shocker that it wasn't the best quality. I guess you can't expect much from Uganda. Still, it was pretty cool that we got it, because it isn't even on DVD in the States.
I am surprised at how much there actually is here. I was expecting to come to a place with no chocolate, pizza, movie theaters, even ice cream. I guess if you look hard enough or are willing to pay for it, things open up to you. :)
It started with Biology. Instead of taking notes or learning about the brain, our teacher told jokes the entire time. I love those lessons where your teacher wastes time. I've never had one tell jokes before though. It was pretty cool.
To make the day even better, it was an early out. So we got out of school at 1 (that is when lunch starts). It was nice to take away 2 classes. It was so nice to have somewhat of an afternoon.
When we got home, Dad had a surprise for us. He had bought Tangled from who-knows-where (probably a side store), and it was only 6,000 schillings (that's around $3)! When I first saw the case, my first reaction was: this isn't going to work. To our surprise, it ended up working. It wasn't a shocker that it wasn't the best quality. I guess you can't expect much from Uganda. Still, it was pretty cool that we got it, because it isn't even on DVD in the States.
I am surprised at how much there actually is here. I was expecting to come to a place with no chocolate, pizza, movie theaters, even ice cream. I guess if you look hard enough or are willing to pay for it, things open up to you. :)
Sunday, March 20, 2011
March 20th
Friday was international day at my school. This meant that we could wear our flag colors and didn't have to wear our uniforms (that is a blessing because they are pretty ugly). It was actually pretty cool. It was really interesting see all of the different nationalities that go to my school. I love the diversity!! :) There is only 2 Americans in my grade. Then during lunch, we got to taste all of the different foods we brought. I have never had such good food!! I was stuffed after! The downside of the day was that I had swimming after lunch (it's hard to swim on a really full stomach). Plus, swimming is torture. I don't see the point of learning how to swim the "proper" way. I think that I can swim just fine.
So, story of the week (this is what I have to deal with with the boys in my class): in Bio, we were talking about the brain. We somehow got on the subject of babies and how they can see and hear when they are born, they just don't understand what they are seeing or hearing. So this guy then said, "So, I could swear at a baby and it wouldn't know!" That sums up the boys. :) I thought it was pretty funny though.
So, story of the week (this is what I have to deal with with the boys in my class): in Bio, we were talking about the brain. We somehow got on the subject of babies and how they can see and hear when they are born, they just don't understand what they are seeing or hearing. So this guy then said, "So, I could swear at a baby and it wouldn't know!" That sums up the boys. :) I thought it was pretty funny though.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
March 16th
Starting school has been more hectic than I thought it would be. It is very tiring leaving at 7 and not getting home till 4:30/5ish. Also, trying to get used to everything they do differently here. It is a very nice school (which is hard driving off campus and seeing wood huts and the poverty that is everywhere). Everyone has been so nice and inclusive. I have already made some great friends.
Now, getting off the subject of school...
Last week on Tuesday (March 8th) we didn't have school because it was National Woman's Day. I really like that holiday. We took this opportunity to go with the organization Child 2 Youth out to a village to talk to sponsors and their parents. It was so cool. We left at about 8 to arrive at the village at 10 (it took awhile to get to it because of the roads). I was thinking that the meeting would be only an hour or so and we would be out of there at 12. Well, it ended up being an 4 hour meeting and we didn't leave till 2:30. Torture!! We had to sit through one person after another talk. I guess to say thank you for coming and staying that long, they gave us lunch... first, the meat was so tough you couldn't eat it; second, it was very weird eating in front of all these people who looked like they were starving too. We knew we couldn't refuse the food because that would be mean, so we really didn't have a choice. We didn't end up getting home until 5, so it was a long day.
Yesterday, we had a going away party for Douglas (he is leaving for his mission this week). Douglas is an amazing person. He is from Rwanda and lost all of his family in the genocide. He escaped with his dad to Uganda. His dad just recently died, so he is all alone. Sill, none of this has stopped him from serving a mission. What a guy.
Anyway, this party definitely showed me something about their culture. First of all, they spend the whole day preparing the food. We tried to copy some of the native food. I'm not sure if it totally worked. It tasted good though. Second, they treated the party like a church meeting. Paul set up a "program," complete with talks and everything. I was thinking we would eat first and then do the sitting part, but I was wrong. Paul asked Eric and me to set up some games. I don't know why, but Eric came up some pretty hard games to play. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life watching them try and play. Who would've thought that acting as Hannah sucking her finger would look like breastfeeding? :)
All in all, it was a very good night.
I have leaned so much in the short time we have been here. I'm sure I will be forever grateful for this experience. It is crazy to think that we have been here more than a month!! How time flies! :)
Now, getting off the subject of school...
Last week on Tuesday (March 8th) we didn't have school because it was National Woman's Day. I really like that holiday. We took this opportunity to go with the organization Child 2 Youth out to a village to talk to sponsors and their parents. It was so cool. We left at about 8 to arrive at the village at 10 (it took awhile to get to it because of the roads). I was thinking that the meeting would be only an hour or so and we would be out of there at 12. Well, it ended up being an 4 hour meeting and we didn't leave till 2:30. Torture!! We had to sit through one person after another talk. I guess to say thank you for coming and staying that long, they gave us lunch... first, the meat was so tough you couldn't eat it; second, it was very weird eating in front of all these people who looked like they were starving too. We knew we couldn't refuse the food because that would be mean, so we really didn't have a choice. We didn't end up getting home until 5, so it was a long day.
Yesterday, we had a going away party for Douglas (he is leaving for his mission this week). Douglas is an amazing person. He is from Rwanda and lost all of his family in the genocide. He escaped with his dad to Uganda. His dad just recently died, so he is all alone. Sill, none of this has stopped him from serving a mission. What a guy.
Anyway, this party definitely showed me something about their culture. First of all, they spend the whole day preparing the food. We tried to copy some of the native food. I'm not sure if it totally worked. It tasted good though. Second, they treated the party like a church meeting. Paul set up a "program," complete with talks and everything. I was thinking we would eat first and then do the sitting part, but I was wrong. Paul asked Eric and me to set up some games. I don't know why, but Eric came up some pretty hard games to play. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life watching them try and play. Who would've thought that acting as Hannah sucking her finger would look like breastfeeding? :)
All in all, it was a very good night.
I have leaned so much in the short time we have been here. I'm sure I will be forever grateful for this experience. It is crazy to think that we have been here more than a month!! How time flies! :)
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sunday March 6
Church today was very interesting, in a good way.... :)
For Sunday school we went outside, that was nice (I love the weather here!!). We had a great lesson too. Young woman's is where it got funny. It all started when Brian (a young man) came in and joined our lesson. We then started to call him "Sister Brian." We told him he needed to come in a skirt next time. I can't believe that he actually stayed through the entire lesson. Brave boy.
For our lesson, we were talking about hobbies. We each went around and shared each of our favorite hobby. There was another muzungu girl with me and she said, "horseback riding." Our teacher had to ask her to explain it because they didn't know what it was. Which is pretty funny because it is self explanatory. Once she was done, our teacher told her, "that won't work here because we don't have horses." Later she was talking about how we can teach each other these hobbies. When she got to horseback riding, she said, "well, we don't have horses, but we could use goats; or pigs, they run fast too." It totally made my day!! I absolutely love the people here. They are the best!! There is never a dull moment with them.
For Sunday school we went outside, that was nice (I love the weather here!!). We had a great lesson too. Young woman's is where it got funny. It all started when Brian (a young man) came in and joined our lesson. We then started to call him "Sister Brian." We told him he needed to come in a skirt next time. I can't believe that he actually stayed through the entire lesson. Brave boy.
For our lesson, we were talking about hobbies. We each went around and shared each of our favorite hobby. There was another muzungu girl with me and she said, "horseback riding." Our teacher had to ask her to explain it because they didn't know what it was. Which is pretty funny because it is self explanatory. Once she was done, our teacher told her, "that won't work here because we don't have horses." Later she was talking about how we can teach each other these hobbies. When she got to horseback riding, she said, "well, we don't have horses, but we could use goats; or pigs, they run fast too." It totally made my day!! I absolutely love the people here. They are the best!! There is never a dull moment with them.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
School
So today we had a “trial day” at KISU (Kampala International School Uganda). It was interesting. First of all, the uniforms are pretty ugly. I’m not looking forward to those. Also, they don’t have any bells, so you just have to know when class ends and when it begins. They have 45-minute classes, but you can also have doubles (2 class periods of 1 class). I met some really nice people. Lea and Beth both showed me around the school.
My schedule was: Double History, Maths (that’s what they call Math), our Break, an Assembly, Double English, lunch, and Double Biology.
It was pretty funny, in Math, they were learning about Mean, Median and Mode and about scatter plots. I guess my college algebra won’t help me much. ☺
One guy asked where I was from, I told him Utah. He said, “Isn’t that were the Mormons are from…. Are you Mormon?” I told him yes. He said, “Don’t you have the multiple wife thing.” People have funny ideas about us I guess.
All in all, I had a very enjoyable experience. I think I might like it there… eventually.
My schedule was: Double History, Maths (that’s what they call Math), our Break, an Assembly, Double English, lunch, and Double Biology.
It was pretty funny, in Math, they were learning about Mean, Median and Mode and about scatter plots. I guess my college algebra won’t help me much. ☺
One guy asked where I was from, I told him Utah. He said, “Isn’t that were the Mormons are from…. Are you Mormon?” I told him yes. He said, “Don’t you have the multiple wife thing.” People have funny ideas about us I guess.
All in all, I had a very enjoyable experience. I think I might like it there… eventually.
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