American Picnic
Trip Start
Jun 22, 2008
1
21
36
Trip End
Jul 31, 2008
Gulu,
Uganda
Sunday, July 13, 2008
breakfast with Alice. I felt privileged. Breakfast was scheduled for 9 a.m. at
Alice's house in town. Allison (Alice's partner teacher) and I caught a boda
and arrived precisely on time. There is a problem with arriving on time in
northern Uganda. When arriving on time
in here, you are in fact one hour early. Alice was not even close to being
ready.
We made small talk with her siblings while observing
photos hung throughout the room
CUTE!
. The photos all fit into a religious theme.Jesus, Mary and the Cross were the common spectacles.
Alice arrived finally about 30 minutes later with
breakfast and tea. We were SO hoping for a filling breakfast. The breakfasts'
we had grown accustomed at CTK were both light and minimal. Alice's breakfast
was neither light nor minimal! We had eggs, fried bread, bananas and peanut
butter. There was even enough for seconds! Score!
After conversing about Alice's education, family and life
ambitions we were ready to go. We thanked Alice and headed to the market. While
I knew about the market in Gulu, I had yet to go. I was afraid that if I went,
I would end up clearing out both my bank accounts in less than an hour
Nice
.Everything in the market caught my eye. There was elaborate fabric from which
to make clothes; delicious ingredients from which to make salads; and numerous
tools from which to create finished products. Out of everything there however,
only one shop received my business. I couldn't resist the comfy soccer shorts hanging
from a corner stand- Especially since they were only 3,000 schillings (roughly
$2 US dollars).
When arriving at the IC house 30 minutes later, I
received several compliments. "Where did you get those shorts?" "Kyle, I love those
shorts!" Best of all, the shorts were EXTREMELY comfortable. So comfortable
that I am still wearing them now- several hours later.
At the IC house Sarah, Allison and I made and prepared
guacamole for the picnic in the afternoon
Rythym
. Most teachers arrived an hour late to the picnic. Of
course to them, they were on time. As
people arrived I elected to play "host." Using a pitcher of water and a wash
basin I washed their dirty hands. After having their hands washed, the teachers
found seats in the shade. There we served them sodas and made small talk while
waiting for their colleagues. Once all the teachers had arrived, we started the
potluck. Dishes included bratwurst, pasta salad, enchiladas, fruit, chips and
guacamole. The food went fast.
After eating my teacher had still not arrived
Volleyball
! Where washe? He assured me he would be coming. Oh well. I looked forward instead to the
arrival of the Schools for Schools group at 5. This group was comprised of the
club leaders from all the top money raisers in the United States. Dancing local
high school groups were ready to greet them upon arrival.
The group drove through the gates promptly at 5 and the
procession began. The dancers were AMAZING! I recorded most of them on my
camera. After watching three traditional dances, I was growing restless. I
wanted desperately to dance beside them, but was still lacking the confidence.
It was only when Adam's partner teacher Jimmy came sashaying down the perimeter
that I got up and begin to dance
Welcome!
. The Acholi do this move where their shouldersseem to completely detach from their bodies. Every joint in their arms are
closely controlled in a rhythmic bliss. I tried to mimic their moves. Mine were
much more erratic and off beat. I kept at it however, and soon I was one of them
(in my mind)! Soon thereafter the high schoolers joined the mix until EVERYBODY
was dancing! It was awesome!
Following the performance, Allison, Sarah and I downed a
couple of beers and left on a voyage back to Christ the King. We sang the whole
way! A procession of Acholi children soon joined us, enamored by the singing
Mzungus. The singing was great for passing time.
At 7:30 we arrived at Christ the King. I took a shower,
ate dinner and now sit in front of my computer working on this journal entry.
If something happens in the next 10 seconds, you will be fortunate enough to
read on, otherwise I will sign off.... Ok nothing happened. GOOD BYE!!
