Pedicure and Mutatus
Trip Start
Jun 22, 2008
1
33
36
Trip End
Jul 31, 2008
Gulu,
Uganda
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Let me tell you something about my feet before I tell you something about the pedicure. My feet are gross. Somebody once told me that I have the "ugliest feet" they have ever seen. Perhaps it's because my toes look like fingers. Long and slender they could be used for a multitude of purposes including weaving, writing and opening cabinets. Therefore, even WITH a pedicure they would still be hideous. However, they might be just bearable enough not to feel ashamed when removing my shoes.
The pedicure started with toe nail clipping. Boy did I need it! My toenails had begun to turn a shade of yellow (either from the dirt on the roads or a fungus). Meticulous with every nail, she made sure to remove all excess skin. Once completing the clipping, she started with the cleaning. Using an instrument smaller than my pinky finger, she scraped all discoloration from the nails. Next, she used a small scraper to remove the fungus from each cuticle. If this process sounds gross skip to the next paragraph, because it only gets worse. Upon finishing my nails, she filled a basin with warm water and soap to soak my feet. I made fun of Sarah since she did not have the "massager basin" like me. She jeered right back when I found out the massager didn't work. Leaning back in my chair I drifted off to pedicure heaven.
My pedicurist Caroline returned twenty minutes later to complete the "manual labor" portion of the experience. Grabbing a scrubber and some elbow grease she unleashed her strength on the bottom of my feet. Have you ever had someone tickle the soft part of your foot? It's probably the most ticklish part of the body. I couldn't help but laugh. In fact, I was cracking up. Sarah assured me that if deadening my sciatic nerve I would feel no stimulation. In reality, drugs were much more successful in controlling nerves. No matter how hard I focused, I could not control the nerve, or the ensuing laughter. Caroline got a kick out of all of it, being unfamiliar with my peculiar antics.
I later learned that manicures were offered for only $6,000 additional schillings. Yes please! She was as meticulous with my hands as she was with my feet. I left the beautification session feeling refreshed, smooth and sexy. I was a new person. Walking even became enjoyable. The soft cushioning of the sandals on my smooth feet sent a rush up my sciatic nerve. I welcomed such stimulation.
What's the best way to follow a manicure and pedicure? With a fresh cooked meal of course! The Mac and Cheese at Boma was to die for. First of all, I was just happy to have found a place that served cheese. Little did I know it was the best Mac and Cheese in all of Uganda! It was hard to tell what caused Sarah and I to groan more, the mac and cheese or the pedicures?
After our delicious meal we sped back to the IC house where we would depart from Gulu. Once here we said good- bye to all the IC and Ugandan locals and left for Murchison Falls.
The bus ride was hellish (as usual). By the time I finally began to drift off to sleep, we had arrived. Much like the Rhino excursion, the lodging awaiting us was PERFECT! There were 5 tents with mattresses and blankets inside. I roomed up with my three favorite girls- Sarah, Allison and Jenn. After unloading our luggage we met up with others for the card game "Oh Shit!" This game is similar to spades. After receiving your cards, you determine how many "books" you think you will receive. A "book" is won by playing the highest card of the particular suit played. That is unless there is a "trump" suit that round. The closer you got to actually obtaining your "books" the more points you were awarded. I started out slow while I learned the strategy of the game, and later caught fire. I won my second game! Btw the game is called "Oh Shit!" because this is what the losers exclaim when not obtaining their books.
Following our card game we had a magnificent meal of spaghetti, rolls, rice and fruit. I was once again in heaven. Allison, Sarah, Jenn and I weren't much of troopers following dinner. We zonked out early in our far away tent.
