Potentially my favourite day so far
Trip Start
Feb 01, 2008
1
8
14
Trip End
??? ??, 2008
Iganga,
Uganda
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Our lodger is actually called Messy so I had that quite wrong last time. He is working out quite well though, insisted on washing my shoes for me on Friday (I had forgotten what colour they originally were) and helped Kirsty do her washing African style so it actually ended up looking clean!
Yesterday was definitely a highlight for me so far. Myself and Kirsty went to Charles' (my dep head) house to help with gardening as it is now officially planting season. It was way out in a really rural area (think of the stereotypical african village) and most of his family live around there, uncles, brothers, sisters, aunts! Two of his wives live there, although in separate houses now due to the quarelling(!), and we met 10 of the children all so sweet and well behaved.
We planted some ground nut seeds as this was apparently the simplest job. I can't exactly say I was a natural (dropped so many seeds they thought there was a hole in my bag!) and in the end was told to walk in the middle (where I could cause the least problems I think!) After planting we went for a walk around the land. The views were amazing, you could see for ages in all directions. Charles wanted to show us the well where they have to draw their water from and so we walked for quite a bit as it's not that close. When we got to the well it was not at all what I imagined (I was picturing some form of wishing well where you lower a bucket and draw up the water). It was basically looked like a filthy pond and is their source of water for everything washing, drinking, cooking etc. I was quite shocked as around the trading centre where we stay all the water comes from boar holes and is a lot safer.
Then we went back to the house and a huge lunch was prepared for us while the children amused us with their dancing to some local music. We had a look through some old family photos which were pretty hilarious as Charles is definitely a poser and loves the limelight (there were several pictures of him entertaining various groups of people) It was quite funny to see him as a family man too, refereeing the disputes between the younger children! The children are all quite characters and we could really see some of their father's traits!
Then we headed back to Namunglawe, all three of us on his bike so it was a bit of a spectacle. We're never inconspicuous anyway but travelling in this way really takes it to a whole new level, (me on the crossbar and Kirsty on the back)! As we were leaving his village we passed his parish church and could her a lot of shrieking. apparently a sign that there was a wedding going on so we went to go and have a look. Charles insisted we could go in, even though we were conscious that we were not really dressed for the occasion and covered in dirt, so we went in and sat down at the back. Every so often people would just start shieking and clapping (apparently to express their happiness) and there was a full on gospel choir. Then a very humiliating moment...all the guests processed to the front and gave some money for the couple so (instructed by Charles but feeling very out of place) we queued up with the rest of the people desperately trying to blend in but failing miserably and causing quite a scene. Things got worse when we were stopped in from of the bride and groom by the photographer who insisted on taking our picture with the newlyweds. The shame! The groom looked delighted but the bride (quite understandably) looked less than impressed with us stealing her thunder somewhat. Then we went outside to get a look of the couple coming out, had a quick panic as we had left the bike inappropriately right where the choir and couple were about to process out so we rescued the "vehicle" and then took off, not stopping to explain our presence to anyone!
Even taking into account our humiliation, it was definitely one of our best days so far! A bit off the wall but a lot of fun!
It gets worse with the ants though. The locals actually eat them, mostly they fry them but sometimes eat them raw. One of the girls in P5 brought some to class and sat there with a handful of ants in one hand and a pen in the other. When I saw them crawling I asked her what they were and she tipped them onto the desk. To say that I didn't disguise my horror very well is putting it mildly and naturally my reaction caused a lot of amusement for the rest of the class. When I recovered and the laughter had died down I had to tell her that ants do not need to come to science and she should put them outside and not bring them to class again. It was hideous. Really.
Thats about it for now so for you people reading at work, scive over!
Tomorrow I will be into my last 4 weeks of teaching!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Comments
Morning
Hi Sarah
Wedding sounds like an awesome experience the poor bride though..did you manage to get any pics of them or was you just posing for photo's yourself? :)
I haven't wrote on here in a while, love your quad biking, made me laugh so much I have never been in a car with you behind the wheel but you don't have a lot of confidence in your driving abilities and just imagining you trying to control a quad bike had me in tears! I've been sending my mum your updates as well and whenever I mention you now she just cracks up about the chicken story....('do you want it slaughtered first?') she thinks that's so funny!
Do you know when you come back i'm going to miss your blogs.
Are you not tempted to taste a flying any yet? Do they eat them alive? Can't they lay eggs in your belly or something!
That'll be me skiving but i've got a week without J man so i'm allowed to and next week is the big one for me, I chickened out last week and pushed the date back! Wish me luck!
Take care!
Jen x
Wow
OMG Sarah I never thought that I would hear you admit to not following the rules of the Cycling proficiency test that we passed when we were 11! I suppose you have had 12years to forget what we learnt haha!
So glad to read that you're having amazing adventures, looking forward to hearing more, maybe over a meal in Nando's or will you not be able to eat there now that you have a pet of the same name
;-)
Vx
Amazing
Well that had me in hysterics but I have been so busy I had to read it in two halves. UUUGGGHHH those ants crawling everywhere!!
The picture I have in my head of you all on the bike is hilarious and probably not far from the truth.
I am getting a little nervous now about my travels but if I can I will add some news through this travel blog to keep you updated.
I hope my adventures in South America are a little tamer. Loads of love Mum XXX
It's like reading a Michael Palin travel blog
Really Sarah I think you could make a career as a humorous travel writer alla Mr Palin. Very funny.
And you both on the bike - Mags wanted to know what it a chopper?
Waiting for Mike Horan's witty input as I am sure will happen soon.
Well to bring you up to speed with things in NW7:
Catherine's 18th was eventful for us all: as I reversed out of the driveway to end a very stressful weekend with most of Mags family round, I put my foot down on the clutch and no feeling - limp as Liberace's wrist!! Damn the clutch has gone (3rd time in 2 years!!). This car is going nowhere and we are already late. Phoned your mum and updated her she was very good and said that I should not worry about it.
But Mags insisted that I take the other car and children whilst she waited for the AA. (I think she just wanted some time on her own actually). So in the clapped out Vauxhall we all pile and off we go.
Twas like a scene from the film Speed, for everytime the car went above 50mph the shuddering was horific. All the children started praying - every prayer they knew hail mary's, our fathers, glory be's .... it was like a Limerick novena so it was - I didn't know they knew all these prayers.
Anyway we got there eventually and Catherine and co seemed pleased to see us.
Meal over we just needed to get back!!
So back in the deathtrap went we, I decide to go A2 and North Circ as it is 50mph speed limit and I won't look like Mr Magoo driving as I did on the M25.
Good idea till we hit a 5 mile tailback on the A12 - we got back very late and all tired but thanks to the several rosaries from my children we were still in one piece.
The galaxy has now been repaired (which cost nigh on a grand to fix!!)
This week has been dominated with various members picking up the spring lurghy which is going round; me, Roisin and Siobhan all off today and Mags is not much better (though she did go to work).
Michael has just been taken to Gaelic football by the 2 police officers so either they didn't hear me the other week or they are very forgiving - Gawd blessum.
Now Granny is back from US and Ireland so no doubt she will be adding some comments to this travel blog too, she seems very well and was very useful helping out Carmel and Eamonn.
Roisin has her 1st holy communion coming up for the 10th May, which happens to be the day Ebbsfleet (formerly Gravesend & Northfleet) play at Wembley in the FA Trophy final, so what a lot of people would say - but with Brian heavily involved and all and that this is the 1st time they have been to Wembley we are trying to move the communion date to the 17th May (however this day is not possible for Mags Mum and Dad and as I am seeing all her family (again) Sunday I am expecting some stick!!
Anyway that is all the news from Mill Hill, the time seems to be flying by - the water rapids would have been fun - but frightening so maybe a good call there. Say hello to the Antz for me they were a good group in the 80's.
Keep the updates going.
Love
Paul and all the Mill Hill Rosary beeded childen and Mags