Cats, Cow Intestine and Face Paint

I survived my first week in Africa! This week has been an adventure to say the least.

For a house full of Muzungus in Africa, a guard is a must. Our guard David is a Ugandan who is 5'6'', is terrified of dogs, and uses a bow and arrow and sling shot instead of a gun. I sleep by the window and no joke it sounds like i'm playing one of those "sounds of Africa" CD's. The other night I woke up because an animal was right outside my window making the most horrendous noise. It sounded like a baby was choking. After about 30 seconds I heard a BOING noise like a bow and arrow and the noise was gone. So don't worry i'm safe because our guard is a ninja and has no compassion towards cats.

I also have not been disappointed by the reputation of African food. Already I have eaten fried ants, chicken that I watched them butcher, a fish head and the big kicker cow intestine and stomach. Luckily I was sitting next to a boy when the intestine was served and put it on his plate when he was looking the other way. He still doesn't know...

This week we did a sanitation outreach at what we thought was a local village. All 24 of us and 3 Africans piled in our "Muzungu bus" and headed out to Pallisa. We had no air conditioning, at the hottest time of day and were down wind (or lack of it) from our African friends. The ride ended up being 3 hours through the jungle. There were times I literally thought our bus was going to tip over. It was quite the adventure, I was in tears I was laughing so hard by the end.

The village welcomed us with drums and dancing. We All danced together. Including the 90 year old women who was definitely shaking what her momma gave her. We painted the kids faces while the parents were being taught and I think some of the kids will have nightmares for weeks of a muzungu coming at them with a foreign object. Even if its was just a paint brush.

The people here are so generous. I have so much to learn from them. After our outreach we went to a hut in the village where they gave us a feast (of cow intestines) and sodas. I couldn't believe they were going so far out of their way to thank us. It was so hard for us to sit in that hut being treated like kings when some of their children weren't wearing clothes and we knew they probably wouldn't be eating tonight. They will happily do anything for you. We ask for directions a lot and not only will they tell you where to go they will escort you there. Ugandan's are wonderful people and I'm loving my time here.