Some Lingo for y’all:

Uganda was a British colony, so luckily for us, they speak English here. However, a large communication barrier still exists. As you can imagine our accents are slightly different, to say the least. We find ourselves constantly trying to interpret what the other is saying; and if it isn’t our accent, then the problem lays in the lingo:

AMERICAN UGANDAN

Do you want a soda? Do you want to take a soda?
Do you have any Sprite? Is Sprite there?
We are out of Sprite. Sprite is finished.
Let’s go. Let’s push/move.
You are going out in the rain? You are going to move in the rain?
Let me walk you home. Let me push you home.
I just devoured my chicken. I just punished that chicken.
I’m scared of spiders. I fear spiders.
Welcome. You are welcome.
(They say this WHEREVER you go)
Where were you? Where are you from?
(This one always trips me up)

*You also notice that sentences often come in a different order here: “you are going, where?” “You are doing, what?”

On another note…. We made another trip out to Sipi Falls aka the most beautiful place on earth, and we had a great time. The rain came with us, but I wouldn’t say we were too disappointed to have her presence. Last time I was at Sipi Falls, we hiked around wet with sweat from the pressure of the hot sun; this time we were wet from the pouring rain and it made for a COMPLETELY different experience. We slipped and slid from one waterfall to the next, and I felt like I was a five year old with a sugar high. When you are soaked to the bone and forced to trudge down a path that is more like a waterfall itself, there is really no point in keeping your composure, you might as well as start jumping from puddle to puddle or follow Dennis and Joel's lead and slide down on your "kabumbum."


So on forward.... This weekend, while all you in the good ol' USA are getting your inner ghoul on, we will be heading to Kampala, to get our groove on. (We will be the dorky white kids, trying to shake it) We are just hoping that the whole MAPLE crew will be able to make it. It seems while I was gone in Kampala last weekend the boys ate something bad, so the health of the house hasn't been the best. But it seems that they are on the rebound!

Miss and Mr. Uganda

Yesterday I was looking at my belly button and thought to myself, “what the heck Jaime, how did you bruise your belly button…..oh wait that’s just dirt.” Now don’t get me wrong, I shower very regularly…I just swear this African dirt finds a way to follow you, from my feet to the creases of my elbows, Uganda has very much become apart of me.


So what’s a better occasion to get all polished and cleaned up for, than Miss and Mr. Uganda 2009? Rachel and I became absolutely giddy from the moment we bought our “VIP” tickets to the show. Now we wouldn't normally go for the gold, but VIP for $50 isn't usually an option. Walking into the event we had to stop and pose for the flashing cameras as we made our way to our table. We shared our table with a guy who tagged along from our hostel and two local guys our age who are friends with some of the contestants. So, as we were sitting there minding our own business one of the local guys asked, “Hey, wanna go backstage and get pictures with the Mr. Uganda contestants?” ummmm….. “yes, please.” Not only did we get some snaps with the contestants in their swimwear, but we went back later to get them in their suits. It was great, and right when I was thinking we picked the right table to sit at, the same local guy says, “hey this is my friend from the news, come meet him and he’ll put you on TV.” So, I got my interview and my 15 minutes. Over the past week, most of my Ugandan friends have told me that they saw the interview at some time during the week, although I never saw it. Then on Sunday, I was in the mall in Kampala and I had a group of Asians take turns taking pictures with me because they thought I was a celebrity (which it is still unclear if they saw me on TV or if they just assumed the young American was an actress).


However, the icing on my cake for the evening would definitely be the moment I got asked to be a Miss. India-Uganda contestant.

Me: “But I’m not Indian or Ugandan…”
Miss. India coordinator: “oh, its ok…will you be around?”

Well unfortunately for me and Uganda’s huge Indian population, Miss. India-Uganda isn’t until January and I go home in December. Well, I still got invited to do an Indian dance performance and run way show in Kampala this week…however, it was conveniently rescheduled for November after I had already arrived in Kampala. Looks like I’m just not meant to be an Indian …..damn, who would have thought?

Well, my visit to Kampala wasn’t a complete waste. I got to roll with the “Good Lyfe” crew to their concert in Masaka, a village about two hours outside of Kampala. However, this time I wasn’t in the crowd, I got to be onstage. Which was about as awkward as it was fun.


Life here has been pretty crazy for the past month, and I don't see it slowing down any time soon. (well I hope not at least) So, if I continue to slack on my posts please forgive me and check out my roomie's stuff. (they are much better writers anyways) Not to mention it's interesting to see how this experience is from different perspectives.

Joel's blog: thewhitenile.blogspot.com
Caitlyn's: realworlduganda.blogspot.com
Luke's: picturemewalkin.blogspot.com
Brad's: Bradhoffa.blogspot.com