Due to the fear of having our faces eaten off by the giant African rats of the Islands, we did not have much sleep on night #1. In fact, we had no sleep at all. Our dear friend Samuel Mukesa had said to us the night before, "Be careful of the rats--you know, THEY LOVE WHITE FACES!!!"
Unbelievable.
The first rat scare happened shortly after our arrival, when AmyRose, Stacie, Devon and Ivan all sat in the twins' mother's home, about to take tea. We all heard a scuffling noise throughout the house, and when movement was noticed at our feet, Devon, our supposed "protector" jumped up and ran quickly out of the house....only to learn seconds later it was, in fact, the house DUCK and not a rat that was seated at his feet.
So after a restless night, the day was spent roaming the sunny island. The beaches were absolutely beautiful!!! Like no beaches we have ever seen. Rather than sand or rock on the shore, there were soft, smooth, white stones, bigger than a fist, that covered the shore and lake entirely. The homes were hut-like dwellings that were all situated along the shore, and the rest of the island was covered in green and rocks and of course, ant hills :) We went on a short hike up the island and spotted a monkey--the first we have seen out in the wild.
Most of the day was spent hiking, playing pool (Stacie is sadly, not the best pool player--but she was a good sport), admiring the beautiful water, and getting to know the islanders. Lunch was quite delicious. The twins' mother grilled tilapia for us--and AmyRose and Devon partook of their very first fish eyeball.
Quote of the day by Devon:
"So, should I carve my way around it, or just kind of pop it out?" (speaking of the fish eye ball he was about to eat)
Hahahahaha :) Ohhhh the memories.
Because of AmyRose's major allergen attack, after the eyeball lunch, she and Stacie stepped outside to get out of the dusty home. While enjoying a cold Coca-Cola, Divan (Devon + Ivan) came outside to approach us and said, "So--who will it be? AmyRose, or Stacie? We have been negotiated with the head-boss of the island for your hand in marriage--it has come down to 6 cows and half the island." Stacie and AmyRose were NOT impressed, and kindly informed Divan that as our PROTECTORS marrying us off for a few cows and acreage was a good way to get themselves fired.
We ended up eating two dinners at night, as we had apparently made a good impression on one of the kind islander women, who cooked us a SECOND entire meal of food. We ate quite well, but taking long or short calls ( going #1 or #2) became quite interesting, as there were not even squattie-potties, but rather a field of small bushes, where Mukesa informed us, "ok, so--to the right for a short call, and for a long call to the left." Good times. The event of the evening was most definitely marshmellow roasting. Devon had purchased several bags of very tasty strawberry & grape-flavored marshmellows, which we decided to roast over some open coals we borrowed from an Islander woman whom was roasting corn. At first mallow-roasters consited only of Stacie, AmyRose, Devon and Ivan--but soon the entire Island was huddled around this pot o' coals, completely in awe of the marshmellow roasting activity and the deliciousness treat that resulted. Next time, we'll definitely bring more mallows :)
Tuesday night was yet another sleepless evening, as the huts are placed about 1.5ft. apart from one another, so the night air is filled with loud voices from neighbors, angry goats, and pet hens. We were wakened at 4:00AM by the boat driver, and proceeded to wait on the shores of the Island for our Captain to board--as we watched 6 islander men gather around a radio blaring American rap music, while they smoked the reefer. They offered us some, of course, to which Stacie replied, "Ummm no thanks. I don't smoke that stuff. It's bad for you, you know. It kills brain cells, so they say."
At around 4:45AM we finally took off--the boat was quite empty this time around--the 5 of us, plus the captain and about 3 others. It was quite the chilly morning, being out on the water, under the moonlight. We thought we were travelling home on an empty boat, which was nice--but we soon realized that the more stops we made on various island--the more people--and cargo, we acquired. Soon, there were OVER FIFTY people and several tons of dead fish in our boat. Un-be-lievable.
Stacie had the opportunity to sit next to a sick young child, who began puking everywhere, and apparantly the mother told the vomiting child to next time be sure to vomit on the Muzungu sitting next to her, rather than herself.
Thankfully, AmyRose did not develop motion sickness during the trip home, so that definitely made the trip more bearable--besides the 50 people and dead fish, that is. And also the fact that she discovered the boat had a leak, due to a soaked left leg. AmyRose quickly patched said leak with chewed gum and a small patch of paper, to which dearest Ivan was quite impressed and replied, "Ahhh Rosie!! You are becoming African!"
We arrived safely back to Hill Road by 11:30AM on Wednesday morning, thankful to be home, but already looking forward to our next island adventure!!!
While on the islands, we were able to meet Mama Vincet (mother of twins) who is the Nurse of the Island. She lives in a hut-type home as the rest of the islanders do, and her tin roof, which has held up for 8 yrs. now----has several leaks in it. We will be looking around town for prices for more tin and supplies to repair the roof, and would LOVE if any of you blog-followers would be interested in helping to fund this project.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
"Kiss Me Some" . . .off to the Islands
Monday morning marked the take-off day of our absolutely ridiculous, adventerous, CRAZY trip to the Islands. Stacie, AmyRose Ivan first met up with Devon (American about our age who is here for 5 months working on Mercy Home), Mukesa, and Kato Vicent for lunch and to hop a few boda-boda's to the port where our wonderful boat awaited our arrival.
We were informed byMukesa that this would be a 7hr. journey. Not because it should take that long, but because as Ivan said, "The boat--it is like a taxi. Except on water. It will stop many places. Like a tour!" Joy. Not incredibly thrilled about this supposed 7 hr. boat ride, we were still quite excited about the opportunity to go to the Islands and see where Kato and his family are from. Not to mention, we were going somewhere new, having no idea what awaited us, and we are both always excited for a new place.
The first suprise came as we stood on the beach, wondering how exactly we were supposed to get from where we stood, to our boat, which was about 25 yds. out into the water. AmyRose turned her head for less than a millisecond, and upon turning back around, her beloved Nakabuye was being CARRIED by a Ugandan man, who was literally half her size, out to the boat. Yes, we got a picture :) The rest of the crew got to the boat in the same manner. And I must say, watching Devon be carried cradle-style to the boat might have been the funniest thing we've seen yet.
For some reason they loaded the Muzungu crew first. So thrilled about our journey, we made our way to the front of the over-sized row-boat w/ fishing-boat-sized-motor. We made ourselves comfortable and sat for a few minutes....then several minutes....then several more. And as we sat, they loaded. They loaded people. Then cargo. Then more people. Then more cargo. Then more people. Then....... well about 39 people and a whole lot of luggage, beer, boxes of polio vaccine, and a bycycle later--it was time for take-off.
Within the first 25 minutes of our journey, our engine died. The waves got a bit bigger. And our crew soon realizeda few things:
#1 They loaded the Muzungus first b/c we were too stupid to know NOT to sit up front, where the boat rocks the most, and those prone to sea sickness might, in fact, die.
#2 Apparently in Uganda, it is an everyday occurrence to load 39 people + cargo into a very clearly TEN -passenger boat, with a motor the size of a toaster, and on a windy, wavy day, think you are not, in fact, going to capsize.
#3 AmyRose has a motion sickness issue. ...a VERY VERY BAD motion sickness issue.
The stopping and starting of the engine went on for the entire duration of our trip. Numerous other boats full of passengers passed us by, and the Americans slowly came up with a plan for when we capsize.....we would use the polio vaccine boxes at our feet and towering above our faces as floatation devices.
We made 3 stops on our way to our island, and the last stop before our destination was by far the best. We were on the Island where the Buganda tribe lived--the original tribe of Uganda. And as we approached the usual "MUZUNGU!!!" screaming began. A quite intoxicated waded into the water to speak to the Muzungus from the boatside..... Here is how the conversation between he and AmyRose went:
Crazy Man: "Hello!! Hello, Muzungu. Kiss me some!! Kiss me some 500! Kiss me some one thousand?? Kiss me some!"
AmyRose: "Kiss you some??!! You want me to kiss you?? For five hundred?? I have to pay you AND kiss you? I feel like this may be a lose-lose for me. I seem to be getting the bad end of the deal."
Crazy Man: "KISS ME SOME!!!"
Apparently, what he actually meant was not, in fact, "kiss me," but "give me." He wanted money. Not a kiss and a payment for doing so....
(TO BE CONTINUED)
We were informed byMukesa that this would be a 7hr. journey. Not because it should take that long, but because as Ivan said, "The boat--it is like a taxi. Except on water. It will stop many places. Like a tour!" Joy. Not incredibly thrilled about this supposed 7 hr. boat ride, we were still quite excited about the opportunity to go to the Islands and see where Kato and his family are from. Not to mention, we were going somewhere new, having no idea what awaited us, and we are both always excited for a new place.
The first suprise came as we stood on the beach, wondering how exactly we were supposed to get from where we stood, to our boat, which was about 25 yds. out into the water. AmyRose turned her head for less than a millisecond, and upon turning back around, her beloved Nakabuye was being CARRIED by a Ugandan man, who was literally half her size, out to the boat. Yes, we got a picture :) The rest of the crew got to the boat in the same manner. And I must say, watching Devon be carried cradle-style to the boat might have been the funniest thing we've seen yet.
For some reason they loaded the Muzungu crew first. So thrilled about our journey, we made our way to the front of the over-sized row-boat w/ fishing-boat-sized-motor. We made ourselves comfortable and sat for a few minutes....then several minutes....then several more. And as we sat, they loaded. They loaded people. Then cargo. Then more people. Then more cargo. Then more people. Then....... well about 39 people and a whole lot of luggage, beer, boxes of polio vaccine, and a bycycle later--it was time for take-off.
Within the first 25 minutes of our journey, our engine died. The waves got a bit bigger. And our crew soon realizeda few things:
#1 They loaded the Muzungus first b/c we were too stupid to know NOT to sit up front, where the boat rocks the most, and those prone to sea sickness might, in fact, die.
#2 Apparently in Uganda, it is an everyday occurrence to load 39 people + cargo into a very clearly TEN -passenger boat, with a motor the size of a toaster, and on a windy, wavy day, think you are not, in fact, going to capsize.
#3 AmyRose has a motion sickness issue. ...a VERY VERY BAD motion sickness issue.
The stopping and starting of the engine went on for the entire duration of our trip. Numerous other boats full of passengers passed us by, and the Americans slowly came up with a plan for when we capsize.....we would use the polio vaccine boxes at our feet and towering above our faces as floatation devices.
We made 3 stops on our way to our island, and the last stop before our destination was by far the best. We were on the Island where the Buganda tribe lived--the original tribe of Uganda. And as we approached the usual "MUZUNGU!!!" screaming began. A quite intoxicated waded into the water to speak to the Muzungus from the boatside..... Here is how the conversation between he and AmyRose went:
Crazy Man: "Hello!! Hello, Muzungu. Kiss me some!! Kiss me some 500! Kiss me some one thousand?? Kiss me some!"
AmyRose: "Kiss you some??!! You want me to kiss you?? For five hundred?? I have to pay you AND kiss you? I feel like this may be a lose-lose for me. I seem to be getting the bad end of the deal."
Crazy Man: "KISS ME SOME!!!"
Apparently, what he actually meant was not, in fact, "kiss me," but "give me." He wanted money. Not a kiss and a payment for doing so....
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Cut a the Knots
So if you've read our most recent entry you know our weekend trip to Jinja ended up only lasting one ridiculously long, rainy, confusing, but all-around blessed day. Because we made it back to Entebbe early, we enjoyed an empty house all weekend. We LOVE JjaJja Alma and do miss her....BUT we both thoroughly enjoyed our Saturday night "Slumber Party" complete with endless American junk food such a oreos (found during gas-station stopover while riding taxi fom kampala), homemade salsa, tootsie roll pops, pineapple....you get the point. Lots of eating. Not because we were hungry, necessarily, but b/c it was a slumber party, and that's what you do.
Eventually we moved to what is affectionately called 'the back room' where we usually go to be alone with God. Our mini-worship service led by starving-wanna-be-musician AmyRose was enjoyable but shortlived, as we decided to work on Stacie's hair.
In a fetal attempt to make our hair 'African' as well as more easily kept, as we would not be washing it--we had our hair braided/plaited. You know the story. There was an entire blog about it :) Well AmyRose's braids/twisties have been out for a week or so now, but Stacie's have been a work in progress. At one point the front of her head was tiny-crimped and bright blonde, some of her hair was straight and blonde from being washed, and the great majority of the rest was black/blonde and braided. Quite a sight.
AmyRose became quite frustrated during the unbraiding/heart2heart session, and quickly pulled out her pocket-knife to begin cutting off the knots, which CLEARLY did not have any of Stacie's "real" hair in them.
Stacie: "MuMu. Make sure you cut at the knots!! Actually, I think my real hair is in the knots. You better not be cuttin my real hair."
AmyRose: "I am not cutting your real hair. Girl please."
Upon further examination, it has been determined AmyRose did, in fact, cut off Stacie's very real and not weave HAIR. Not to mention, both Stacie and AmyRose have been losing literally handfuls of their real hair at a time, every time it is washed or touched or looked at---due to the strenuous conditions of the african braiding.
sigh* beauty is pain.
Tomorrow morning we are meeting with a lawyer to discuss getting the paperwork for a couple Mercy Home children to be transferred to Abba House. We will also be traveling, via a 7hr. boat ride, to the Kwony Islands in order to visit aforementioned Mercy Home Children's home. We will be traveling with a recent Mercy Home boy, American-Devon, and Right-hand-man Ivan. Please pray for a profitable meeting with lawyer and safe journey to the Islands!!
Eventually we moved to what is affectionately called 'the back room' where we usually go to be alone with God. Our mini-worship service led by starving-wanna-be-musician AmyRose was enjoyable but shortlived, as we decided to work on Stacie's hair.
In a fetal attempt to make our hair 'African' as well as more easily kept, as we would not be washing it--we had our hair braided/plaited. You know the story. There was an entire blog about it :) Well AmyRose's braids/twisties have been out for a week or so now, but Stacie's have been a work in progress. At one point the front of her head was tiny-crimped and bright blonde, some of her hair was straight and blonde from being washed, and the great majority of the rest was black/blonde and braided. Quite a sight.
AmyRose became quite frustrated during the unbraiding/heart2heart session, and quickly pulled out her pocket-knife to begin cutting off the knots, which CLEARLY did not have any of Stacie's "real" hair in them.
Stacie: "MuMu. Make sure you cut at the knots!! Actually, I think my real hair is in the knots. You better not be cuttin my real hair."
AmyRose: "I am not cutting your real hair. Girl please."
Upon further examination, it has been determined AmyRose did, in fact, cut off Stacie's very real and not weave HAIR. Not to mention, both Stacie and AmyRose have been losing literally handfuls of their real hair at a time, every time it is washed or touched or looked at---due to the strenuous conditions of the african braiding.
sigh* beauty is pain.
Tomorrow morning we are meeting with a lawyer to discuss getting the paperwork for a couple Mercy Home children to be transferred to Abba House. We will also be traveling, via a 7hr. boat ride, to the Kwony Islands in order to visit aforementioned Mercy Home Children's home. We will be traveling with a recent Mercy Home boy, American-Devon, and Right-hand-man Ivan. Please pray for a profitable meeting with lawyer and safe journey to the Islands!!
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