June 13th, 2011

June 13, 2011


Another trip to Jinja today and we actually were productive this time. Sorry for the confusing misspellings, I am still learning words around here. We were able to get the kids uniforms for their soccer team along with some socks. They are going to look super sharp for their games and by friday we are hoping to have all their shoes in. Jinja was long and the taxi rides are becoming long as well. Cramming into a vehicle with a ton of other people really lets your nose experience everyone up close. Smells here are definitely still boggling my mind.

Bryan and I were hungry so he asked a guy at the taxi park in Jinja for a place that sold Rolexes. He led us to a little tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant that was actually quite amazing and only cost us 3500 shillings for a full meal and a soda. We didn’t find Rolexes but discovered a great new place to eat for cheap. I also tried to hustle this guy on some sunglasses but only brought the price down 3000 shillings, I am gonna have to learn to low-ball everyone here cus apparently I coulda done better.

Once we returned the uniforms to Musana we got to see how excited the kids were to see them. Now all we have to do is paint some numbers on the back of them and put a cool sun on the front. I know once the team is decked out in their cleats and uniforms on game day they will be rockin the field in style.

Turns out taking a shower mid day, while the sun is blazing, is much better than in the morning. The water is closer to warm and didn’t feel like it was giving me hypothermia. I went into our back latrine at night for the first time this evening and what a sight. If you ever wanna see a ton of cockroaches in one area, I know the place. You learn to piss and get outta there as fast as you can. I also got to meet my first animal roommate today. He is a little tiny lizard that decided to wander in and check me out for himself. I have embraced him and hope he grows bigger so he can eat more mosquitos.

I am still amazed at the way people manage to survive here. I don’t think you will ever see a bigger outty belly button on any other child than out in the villages just outside of Iganga. This is definitely from the women just having their children out in the bush and not having the proper tools, or knowledge of how to cut the umbilical cord. I feel bad for all the children that are disfigured or any other person that has a handicap here because I know it is already hard enough to survive.

Bryan and I came across a bum today in Jinja. This was quite the sight as he strolled along in front of us with nothing but ratty and tattered pants that kept falling off every few seconds. When I say falling off I’m talkin basically to his ankles and of course, bums can’t afford underwear. It was interesting seeing him stroll down a busy street with all of himself hanging out for good portions of his journey. I can only hope he finds some better pants someday.

There is so much more I can describe about this place but I know I have time later. Keepin it real here in Iganga, always sweaty, and always on the look out for another boggling experience