I Might be Obsessed...

            The botanical gardens of Uganda, which are located about an hour outside of Kampala is the filming site for the original Tarzan (1932).  Several weekends ago I visited these gardens with Devavani.  Devavani is a biology professor at Macalester College in Minnesota who had come to Uganda for two weeks to help with some of the projects I am in the middle of implementing.   During this excursion, Devavani’s bird obsession was revealed and my obsession with monkeys was made clear. 

As opposed to the baboons, vervet monkeys are friendly and approachable

Lucky for me, January is when most baby monkeys are born.  Pretty much every female had a baby in her arms or in her belly.  We saw one monkey that was only one day old!

Our tour guide, Brite, feeding the monkeys

Holding his hand!

Can you imagine how many pictures I would have taken if my camera battery hadn't died?!?

We also visited an orphanage on the way.  The kids are pretty cute too.

            To be honest, since coming back from the holidays, life, and especially work, has been a bit overwhelming.  Seeing the monkeys; however, did make things better.  Oh, the small things in life J

Roy the Klepto – aka Roy the Former Houseboy

                When I arrived home after the holidays, strange things seemed to have happened while I was gone.  Not only was the mirror in my bathroom missing, but my money belt, which had been filled with bills and coins when I left for the U.S., was empty.  While I have to admit that I am not always the best at keeping track of my money, it was pretty obvious that money had been taken; though how much money was hard to determine.   My only suspect was Roy, the housekeeper, since he was the only person who had access to our house over the holidays. 

                While inventing ways to confirm my suspicions, Darin, my housemate for the week, beat me to it.  He approached me one afternoon saying that he had marked several bills in his wallet, hid them, and checked back after Roy cleaned his room to see if they were still there.  They were gone.  Later that day, Darin spoke with Roy telling him that he was missing some money and that he expected it to be returned by the time he left several days later.  Sure enough, after Darin came home from work, the marked bills were left in the room with a note from Roy. 

                I have heard of Uganda as being a “Kleptocracy,” but had not seen much theft firsthand until now.  Sure, all of the light bulbs in the streetlamps are missing because they were stolen, but that really doesn’t affect me too much.  Roy’s thievery, on the other hand, hits home - literally.  Not only was he one of my best resources when it came to questions about my life in Kampala (i.e. how to get places, who is coming in and out of my house on a daily basis, which bills need to be paid, etc.), I also considered him a good friend.  Every day he would join me as I ate breakfast and probably knew as much as anyone here about my friends and family back home.  To have that trust shattered left me reeling for quite some time and makes me question the ethics of other people I come in contact with on a daily basis...

'Tis the Season

The past month, as the holiday season drew near, I found I couldn’t quite get into the holiday spirit.  Instead of sitting by the fire with hot cocoa surrounded by family and friends, I found myself sitting by pools in Uganda’s eternal summer surrounded by friends I have met within the last three months.  Although I missed the Christmas cookies, music, and twinkling lights that bring the holiday cheer, I did not miss the holiday stress.  Contrary to the hustle and bustle felt within the U.S. during Christmastime, the streets of Kampala gradually grew less crowded and more peaceful as the expats traveled to their respective countries and the Ugandans traveled to their family’s villages.  Additionally, by being removed from the materialistic nature that is associated with the American Christmas, I am reminded of what Christmas should be about.   I begin to realize how much I appreciate the time I can spend with my family and friends as compared to the gifts I receive from these people.

            Although it may not have felt like Christmas, my work put on a Christmas party.  Staff members from various parts of Uganda gathered at the Imperial Grande Hotel for wining, dining, and dancing.  

My co-workers - Britta and Kara

More co-workers

Dancing with Peter

Sadick "shaking" - he is one of the many of Ugandans who dances with himself  in the mirror at clubs to make sure he is dancing well...

            On December 21^st, I set out for my nearly 36 hours of traveling.  Although my time in Colorado seemed short, I was able to see the majority of my family and friends and was reminded of how great all of these people are.

Christmas Eve at Corey and Erika's new house

Skiing with my family at Copper on Christmas

After skiing on Christmas

New Year's Eve Masquerade

            Despite being sad to leave my family and friends in Colorado, upon my arrival to Uganda, I was welcomed by everyone I came across.  Everyone from my driver who came to pick me up at the airport, to my co-workers, to the children I pass on my way to work (who still continue to touch me as much as possible as I walk by), to the grocer and baker - they all seemed happy to have me back.  Some welcomed me a little too strongly…like the boda drivers who I am sure I have never spoken to, but who somehow know where I live...kind of creepy…Regardless, it was nice to be welcomed back so warmly.