June (2016) 9, 10, 11, & 12
I cannot believe that I am writing from the same room that I sat in a year ago, looking out onto the motorcycle pagoda of Mbarara. It hardly seems as though a week has passed, let alone a year, since I have set foot in Uganda. Everything feels so natural this second time around: the smells, the haze of the morning smoke, the vibrant colors of the outfits. I am blessed to return to this place that grounds me and solidifies my values, to this place that stirs a feeling of unrest in me and instills in me a persistent desire to make a change in the world.
Although I am only here for two weeks (the psycho-social program is still going), I am eager to soak up the sensations that Uganda filled me with last summer.
On the 9th, I left the beautiful Rockies of Colorado and headed to the Boston Airport, where I reunited with James and Noortje. Our union was joyful, and we all eagerly anticipated the upcoming weeks. But before we could enjoy ourselves, we embarked on an excruciatingly long journey to Mbarara, Uganda. We first flew to Amsterdam, then to Kigali, Rwanda, and onto Kampala, Uganda (all of this travel amounted to two days). After finishing The Elegance of the Hedgehog, I succumbed to watching guilty-pleasure airplane movies (I am ashamed to admit that this selection might have included "Dirty Grandpa" and "How to Be Single"). The next day, we flew in a small plane (precarious and jaw-clenching as ever) to Mbarara. Upon arrival, I was too tired to function, so I retreated to my room to unpack my belongings and read.
The guest house was quiet, but noise soon diffused throughout the compound as a group of UVA students and other Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) doctors arrived. For dinner, we had the Ugandan version of pizza (I need to forget all of the wonderful pizzerias at home while eating this Ugandan pizza, where the layer of cheese can be picked up and removed like a parmesan crisp). Despite my snooty-foodie attitude, I relished being in the presence of the expats that I had not seen for a year.
Today, Noortje and I went on a run through Mbarara and ended up at a school. Unlike last year, I barely noticed the calve-burning hills because Noortje's and my conversation was just that enthralling. There was an incredible amount of dust on the roads, which was not there the previous year because of the rain; when I returned to the guest house, my black leggings had transformed into lovely orange tie-dye leggings (fits right in with the tie-dye-hippie style of Boulder).
After showering, me, James, a few American doctors ventured to Mahingo Lodge, near Rwakobo rock. There, we dined and went on a horseback safari, where we encountered zebra, wild boar, and eland. In the midst of the activity, I failed to remember to apply sunscreen, and now I rightfully have a bright red streak under my eyes.
Tonight was "movie night" at the guest house, and we watched "War Dance," which is a documentary on children living in the war zone in Northern Uganda. The movie exposed me to conditions that I did not know existed. Throughout the movie I shed tears of sadness and laughter. I would definitely recommend the movie because it draws light into a destitute society that our nation remains oblivious towards.
Last night, I woke up at 2:00 a.m. and did not fall back asleep, so now I can barely keep my eyes open! I am humbled to return to Uganda, and I look forward to visiting the hospital tomorrow.
I cannot believe that I am writing from the same room that I sat in a year ago, looking out onto the motorcycle pagoda of Mbarara. It hardly seems as though a week has passed, let alone a year, since I have set foot in Uganda. Everything feels so natural this second time around: the smells, the haze of the morning smoke, the vibrant colors of the outfits. I am blessed to return to this place that grounds me and solidifies my values, to this place that stirs a feeling of unrest in me and instills in me a persistent desire to make a change in the world.
Although I am only here for two weeks (the psycho-social program is still going), I am eager to soak up the sensations that Uganda filled me with last summer.
On the 9th, I left the beautiful Rockies of Colorado and headed to the Boston Airport, where I reunited with James and Noortje. Our union was joyful, and we all eagerly anticipated the upcoming weeks. But before we could enjoy ourselves, we embarked on an excruciatingly long journey to Mbarara, Uganda. We first flew to Amsterdam, then to Kigali, Rwanda, and onto Kampala, Uganda (all of this travel amounted to two days). After finishing The Elegance of the Hedgehog, I succumbed to watching guilty-pleasure airplane movies (I am ashamed to admit that this selection might have included "Dirty Grandpa" and "How to Be Single"). The next day, we flew in a small plane (precarious and jaw-clenching as ever) to Mbarara. Upon arrival, I was too tired to function, so I retreated to my room to unpack my belongings and read.
The guest house was quiet, but noise soon diffused throughout the compound as a group of UVA students and other Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) doctors arrived. For dinner, we had the Ugandan version of pizza (I need to forget all of the wonderful pizzerias at home while eating this Ugandan pizza, where the layer of cheese can be picked up and removed like a parmesan crisp). Despite my snooty-foodie attitude, I relished being in the presence of the expats that I had not seen for a year.
Today, Noortje and I went on a run through Mbarara and ended up at a school. Unlike last year, I barely noticed the calve-burning hills because Noortje's and my conversation was just that enthralling. There was an incredible amount of dust on the roads, which was not there the previous year because of the rain; when I returned to the guest house, my black leggings had transformed into lovely orange tie-dye leggings (fits right in with the tie-dye-hippie style of Boulder).
After showering, me, James, a few American doctors ventured to Mahingo Lodge, near Rwakobo rock. There, we dined and went on a horseback safari, where we encountered zebra, wild boar, and eland. In the midst of the activity, I failed to remember to apply sunscreen, and now I rightfully have a bright red streak under my eyes.
Tonight was "movie night" at the guest house, and we watched "War Dance," which is a documentary on children living in the war zone in Northern Uganda. The movie exposed me to conditions that I did not know existed. Throughout the movie I shed tears of sadness and laughter. I would definitely recommend the movie because it draws light into a destitute society that our nation remains oblivious towards.
Last night, I woke up at 2:00 a.m. and did not fall back asleep, so now I can barely keep my eyes open! I am humbled to return to Uganda, and I look forward to visiting the hospital tomorrow.
