Embassy Trip, Electricity, & Students!

Today I had to go to the embassy because my last two boxes of supplies arrived and I would not be able to go until next week if I didn’t go this morning. I know this is going to sound harsh, but I hate the embassy. I have to be escorted because I do not have a badge and it is a pain in the butt. I was supposed to have my badge by now, but they were doing some renovations today, so it was not possible to get it today (or even over the next week). Security is tight and there is a feeling of entitlement in the air. I just don’t like it. I know I should be thankful that we have an embassy here within an hour or so of me, but the less I can use the embassy, the better. I have to go there to get money, but that is about it. I did get an opportunity to change money today and I changed my last dollar at the embassy, so I am officially living like a Ugandan. I don’t even have a penny! I have realized that living outside of the city means I need to have money in smaller denominations. It is difficult to make change for large bills, even something as small as about $20.

This is the form that they use when exchanging money or cashing a check. I had $62 which equals sh161,221. I can't even explain the denominations to you. It is so, so confusing. Basically, sh2600=$1. The smallest denomination is sh100 which is about .04. Then, it goes to sh200, sh500, sh1000, sh10,000, sh20,000 and sh50,000. I just try to remember that sh50,000 is about $20. Yes, I know, very confusing. I guess these larger denominations are common in a developing economy. 

After the embassy, I went grocery shopping at one of the big stores in Kampala. I was shocked at the prices of the food. Produce was three and four times what I pay here in Mukono. The same was true for other staples like salt, rice, butter, and milk. I guess you pay for the convenience of not having to walk a bit to get all of your groceries. They do have a huge variety and I bought some spices and various sugars that I can’t find around here. I even saw Pillsbury cake mixes, although they were out of them. I know I should be used to it by now, but I am amazed at the differences between Kampala and Mukono. Kampala is smelly, congested, and crowded. There are people and vehicles literally everywhere. I very much like my little town and really don’t see a need to go to Kampala except when I am desperate for variety. I spent sh359,000 at the grocery store, which is roughly $138.

 I am not sure if you can tell the true size of this avocado, but it is humungous! It is the size of a cantaloupe and this is the standard size! The avocados here are so delicious and cheap. This one was .50. The ones I saw in the grocery store were pitiful and four times the price. I love the fact that the ones I get not only support our local community, but are cheaper and just came off the tree.

I have been incredibly spoiled here on campus because we have a huge generator. The generator kicks on when we lose power, which is several times per day. I noticed the lights going dim earlier tonight, but then they kicked back on to full power, so I didn’t think much of it. Then, about 10 p.m. tonight the lights dimmed and turned off completely, therefore, I am working by flashlight tonight. Nothing works when the electricity is out which includes the internet, water pump, hot water heater, etc. Most people live with a loss of power daily here and this is the first time I have experienced it. I pay for mobile internet because I need to have reliable internet for my class.

We also had no water yesterday, but my apartment had water, so my neighbors came over to shower. That is what you do. You share resources when you have them so that everyone can benefit. The girls that live next store are from Canada. They work with a program called "Save the Mothers." This program educates professionals about health for mothers and babies. The students earn a masters in public health and then go out and teach what they have learned locally.

So, remember me complaining that I didn't have students in my last blog? Yeah, stupid me. Yesterday I was blessed with 46 students in my writing class. I was shocked when I walked into the room because there were so many students crammed into a little bitty room. When I say crammed, I mean like sardines. It is the rainy season, so the temperatures are nice, but it was still very warm, crowded, and smelly. It smelled like a sweaty boys' locker room and there was no moving air to clear it out. I don't know how the students sat there for two hours, but they did. As I started class, more and more students began appearing for class. There were no chairs, but they just went to another classroom and brought in another desk. They are so used to being overcrowded. This happened during the first 30 minutes of the class. I had literally two feet to walk in front of the board and every time I turned around, I bumped somebody with my backside...not a good first impression!

 Today, I had 50 students in my class! And this classroom was even smaller than the last classroom. Students were spilling out into the hallway. I have no idea how they even listened to my lecture and took notes, but they did. There are so many classes happening on campus that they are out of rooms. We should hopefully have a better room soon.

I am not sure if you can tell, but there is a wasp nest right above where I was teaching and the wasp chased me periodically throughout the class. The students got a kick out of my running away from them. One of my students told me after class, "Madame, I am going to take care of that nest after class." When I mentioned to the student that he needed to be careful, he said, "Don't worry. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable and unable to teach us your knowledge." My heart just melted. The students are so, so, so sweet and kind. They have worked so hard to get to university and really know how lucky they are to be here.

Okay, it is late and I need to get some rest before class tomorrow. Hope you are well.