October 30
There is a Peace Corps tradition of challenging the US Embassy in Uganda to a friendly football match. Despite their team being comprised of/stacked with mostly male Ugandans in their early 30's, our rag-tag coed team of fresh-out-of-college hippies manages to fair quite well. Final score 3-3, followed by delicious American-style BBQ at an embassy house, and of course all-night Halloween party in Kampala following day! Stay classy PCVs! Next to me in the photo is a good friend, Brian Stock.
November 24
Who is this cute little rascal you're asking me? Well, thats Bongo! About 3 months old in this picture, he's a terror to the neighbors' children, animals, and belongings! Bongo = somewhere between sour milk and yogurt type dairy product here in Uganda, and absolutely delicious. He no longer lives with me, but rather with the neighbor who he will "belong" to when I leave. Updates on this mutt are most definitely to come.
November 27
I ended up taking a 15hr bus ride across the country to a town near Bushenyi (in western Uganda and where the picture was taken) to celebrate Thanksgiving. Rolling hills backing up to grand mountain ranges and spotted with beautiful lakes abound in this region. Thanks to an energetic 17 PCV turnout (who happen to be quite the bakers and chefs), an abundance of turkeys in country, and some canned cranberry smuggling from the US by BoyDevon, the holiday was a HUGE success! However, all of you at home were obviously greatly missed, but there will be many more T-days to come! PCVs in this picture include: BoyDevon, Renee, Brian, Natalie, and me.
November 28
Hmmmm, Ensenene!!! (or grasshoppers for the layman) In central and western Uganda every fall, swarms of these buggers emerge from their resting places to selflessly offer themselves up to the "Fluorescent Gods". As they fill the night sky, many inevitably crash into the vertical metal sheets just below the lights and slide into large metal drums where they get stuck as layer upon layer of more ensenene pile on top. Early the next morning, they are sold by the kilo to merchants who meticulously pluck their back legs and wings, fry them in a pan, and sprinkle with salt (no additional oil is needed though as fat from the insect provides more than enough). Absolutely delicious (as long as you don't look into its eyes as you pop the snack into your mouth). Comparable to french fries, somehow...
November 29
Another view of the absolutely beautiful Western Uganda, this time just outside of Fort Portal near GirlDevon's site. As you can tell, I tried to make the most of my visit out west. PCVs in this picture: Elizabeth, Natalie, Arwen, GirlDevon, and BoyDevon.
December
Adult male circumcision: an extremely interesting (and one of the few remaining unadulterated) cultural traditions in Uganda. Unique to the Bagishu people located around Mbale, this tradition only takes place during the last couple months of every two years and signifies the transition into manhood. On the left is the aftermath of the traditional event, which usually includes only one to three "patients". Here, the boys are kept awake for the two days prior to the cutting and partake in multiple "parades" throughout the village gathering supporters. The boys are denied any drugs for the pain (alcohol included), while everyone else gets plastered and continually dances (probably until they pass out). Despite the extreme inebriation of most participants, we were warmly welcomed and quickly assimilated into the festivities by the sheer energy of everyone. In fact, they encouraged our documentation of the event by forcing us to the front of the crowd to enable the best photographs possible, and the boys (sorry, men) are anything but shy... The picture on the right is the modernized (and religious) version of the circumcisions. Here, large groups of even younger boys are gathered for a church service, then taken for the cutting in a more sterile environment (knives are not shared). Almost all of these boys are given injections beforehand to dull the pain, although this is purely optional. Obviously much calmer of an atmosphere, but still interesting.
*****
I figure that's a fair amount for now. Hope you enjoyed and maybe even learned a thing or two. Now that I am done with traveling for a while and resumed my "regular" working schedule, I hope to be able to update more often. Hope everyone had an amazing holiday season, and that 2011 is an extraordinary year for all!
Thanks for your continued support, it truly means a lot!
Take care
