Empty pools, Motorcylces, Baboons and Birthdays!

Where to begin, where to begin! It is Wednesday evening June 22nd and we finally have power in the house so that I can sit on my computer while it charges and try to explain the oh so many adventures I have had this past weekend and throughout the course of the week thus far. First and foremost I want to thank all my family and friends for the tremendous amount of love you sent me via telephone/facebook/twitter/email for my birthday! I appreciate and love you all so much and am grateful everyday to have you all in my life. You have all blessed my life in so many ways for the past 20 years.

Coincidentally, this is my second birthday spend in Africa. My 13^th birthday was spent in Ethiopia with tons of family, delicious food and a personal asmarey (a solo Ethiopian singer/comedian). This birthday was slightly different to say the least, but also unforgettable its own very unique way. Saturday June 18^th, me and the other 5 interns here at New Hope left Busia around 9 am for Torroro to celebrate my birthday. One of the other interns knew of a hotel with a nice pool and restaurant in that town so we decided to make it a day tripb. We took a matatu (taxi) half way there. On our way we ran into many baboons just chillen on the side of the rode. Of course me and the other muzungus acted like complete foreigners and screamed and laughed while pointing out the window. So after about an hour in a cramped matatu, we arrive to an intersection where we realize that the only way to the hotel is by boda boda (motorcycle!) I had given plenty of heads up that I was not AT ALL interested in EVER riding on the back of the motorcycle boda boda’s during my time here, but of course…I ended up on the back of one. So we arrive to the hotel and find that the pool is drained. There is no water in the pool, what! So we had travled all the way to Tororro to a pretty upscale hotel that, for some reason, decided to drain the pool. -___- (straight face). So it is about noon at this time and our options are to either go back to Busia and call it a day, or go farther to the next town, Mbale, and spend the day at another resort that is apparently $300 per night and apparently an extremely nice pool. All the other interns voted that it was my choice, so of course…..we all hoped on a boda boda and rode for an hour and a half to Mbale! Just to clarify…I rode a motorcycle for an hour and a half on dirt roads filled with the most potholes I have ever seen in my life. There are no words. Moving on, we finally arrived at the Mbale Resort, and to surprise, it was beautiful! We found numerous other muzungus there, many of which were peace core volunteers who were stationed in near by villages and towns. The pool was gorgeous and there had a bar by the pool equipped with American food, drinks, and service! We all lounged by the pool, ate lunch and had a wonderful afternoon! We left Mbale around 5pm, which was slightly a mistake because by the time we got the taxi park and waited for a matatu to fill up and leave for Busia, it was getting dark. The matatu finally filled. We were 5 to a row so I was LITERALLY sitting on top of the people next to me. Meanwhile, we had about 2 chicken also in the matatu with us. The trip back on the road full of potholes was probably one of the most uncomfortable experiences I have ever had in my life lol. It was so ridiculous that all I could do is look at one of the other volunteers sitting next to me and laugh. A priceless and unforgettable moment that will probable always put a smile on my face when I think about it. Although it was not a good idea to ride in a matatu after dark, we made it back home safe and sound. It was one of the most eventful adventures I have ever had and by far the most unforgettable 24 hours.

Because Saturday was not my actual birthday, we decided to go out to dinner at Jere’s which is the local restaurant here in Busia on Monday night for my real birthday. As far as during the day, I taught as usual and spent the day with my babies at the orphanage. 2 of my students wrote me letters wishing me a happy birthday and made me promise that I would come by the orphanage to play with them after my birthday dinner. I promised them I would come, so the other interns agreed to going out for an early dinner. Dinner was delicious and filled with good conversation, which in my book is always a good combination. I appreciate the other volunteers for making me feel special and spending my birthday with me, it took away a lot of the homesickness and unfamiliarity that was a first for me this year on my birthday. After dinner, we walked outside to find that it had begun raining. I had PROMISED my babies that I would come visit them, and as many of my close friends and family know, I am not one to break my word and I am especially not one to ever break a promise. So one of the interns called her loyal bicyclist to come and bicycle me to the orphanage. So I rode on the back of a bicycle, for the first time, about 2 miles, in the rain, all the way to the orphanage to spend the evening with my babies! It was one of the best decisions I have ever made because I can genuinely say that it is the most pure and uninterrupted joy I have ever had the privilege to experience and it was the best gift I could have ever received. The babies were getting ready for sleep because I am sure they did not expect me to come in the rain. My excitement to see them and their surprise and happiness to see me combined was a moment I will never forget until the day I die. We played heads up 7 up, laughed, sang, took pictures and had a beautiful time. Finally after the rain had lightened up, 4 of the older boys, Geoffrey, Dennis, Peter, and Eddy all walked me back to the house. We laughed, and I explained to Eddy what the definition of “cool” was. Lol. I came to my room, lied in my bed and watched one of my favorite movies, The Holiday, and fell asleep after a magical birthday.

As I am re-reading one of my favorite books, The Power of Now, I am beginning to find such a greater inner peace and joy here. I am laughing exponentially more, making an effort and actually getting to know the other volunteers here, and most importantly finding purpose and acceptance in just being and taking each hour of every day for exactly what it is, precious.

I am leaving for Kampala Friday morning to spend the weekend with Uncle Mati and his family. I will miss my babies, but am excited to get away and hopefully explore Kampala with some natives! Will keep you all posted after returning from my long weekend. Oh I forgot to mention how much I appreciate and love my parents, my aunt Tsheai and my LS and tail, Amarachi for calling me on my birthday. Hearing you alls voice (especially Tails which caught me completely off guard!) made my heart smile and truly made my day! Anyway, I miss you all more than you can phantom. Continue sending positive thoughts, love, and prayers this way and I will do the same. Until next time!

PGJ

"Olioteaa Muzungus"

The power of a smile is one of the most fascinating things we often underestimate as human beings. It is Sunday morning and as my first weekend here in Busia is coming to a close, I am learning more and more about myself and about the people of Uganda. Because we do not teach on Saturdays, the other interns and I pretty much have the day to ourselves. This Saturday night, after a week of rice, beans and potatoes, we decided to go to a local restaurant in Busia. The owner used to live in the United Kingdom, so she knows how to prepare pretty westernized foods. It was a great escape and allowed us to all “bond.” Not to mention we got to eat samosas and French fries lol.

As we were walking to the restaurant, we passed by many locals who of course stopped and starred because it was me, 2 other black Americans, 3 white girls and an Asian guy. After about 10 minutes, I noticed I was the only one greeting everyone as they waved and said “hello, how are you?” I became curious as to why all the other interns who were clearly more foreign looking in this country than I am, were not taking a second out of their lives to smile and say hello to these local Ugandans who smiled and greeted them by saying, “Oliotea Muzungu” (which is directly translated as, how are you white person?)

One man looked at me as we were walking and stated, “It is nice to see someone who looks like us.” Its funny because although that was a very unclear statement, I knew exactly what he was talking about. I looked at him, smiled, and said “Thank you.” The people of this small town are kind, it is the least we can do as foreigners coming into their home to greet them with a smile and a genuine “How are you” or “Olioteaa.”

For me, it is the least I can do. Although we may not speak the same language or share the same cultural norms, human interaction is the same, internationally. A smile will always convey the same thing…always. So in a way, a smile is one of the few ways I can show my gratitude for the people of this community. It’s Sunday morning now and as I prepare for the upcoming week, I am more content with the my experience here than I have ever been up to this point. I guess the only thing I can be hopeful for is that like Marianne Williamson stated so eloquently, when I let my own light shine, I will unconsciously give permission for others around me to do the same. My smile and my attitude have changed tremendously from the beginning of last week till now, so maybe Mister Douglass knew the secret all along that, “Without struggle, there can be no progress.”

I am claiming that this week, I can learn much more from the children at New Hope than I can ever begin to teach them. Keep it classy, America and I hope all my family and friends will become even more conscious this week of the power of each and everyone of you all’s smile.

PS: PICS PICS PICS!

-PGJ

The Boys

Uncle Ken's House (where I am living)

New Hope Orphanage

Me and my buddy Jeffery (funniest little man!)

Random cattle crossing the street lol

the main road from home to the orphanage
Our House

The beautiful children of New Hope.

“You are so welcome, at New Hope”

After almost a week at New Hope, I can honestly say I have never been through such an emotional roller coaster in my life. We arrived Sunday afternoon after being picked up in Kampala by the director of the orphanage, Ken. We were greeted at New Hope by 50-60 children who RAN and when I mean ran, I have never been welcomed ever like that in my life. They came up to our car and pushed and shoved to introduce themselves and give us a hug. I have never felt more love, excitement and joy at one time….all simply because me and another volunteer had arrived. They greeted us with many songs and dances they had prepared all just welcoming us and letting us know how much they appreciated us being there. Needless to say, I was pushing back tears the entire time. It was such a pure and genuine excitement and it was such a beautiful way to have been greeted at my home for the next two months.

The last couple days have been…difficult, eye-opening and extremely emotionally tolling. I got my teaching assignment early this week and I will be teaching P4 and P5 English (This is equivalent to 3^rd and 4^th grade in the USA). I teach at different times every day, but each day I am in the classroom for about 4 hours. The hardest part of teaching has definitely been the language barrier. As most of you know, I talk faster than the speed of light…clearly I have had to slow down tremendously. The kids are slowly but surely getting to me…some of them have touched me so much; it is going to be difficult to leave them at the end of the summer. There eagerness to learn and above all their inner joy has allowed me to see God through them, within them and protecting them. There light is so bright, that no matter what circumstances they seem to be under, they manage to smile and remain in such beautiful spirit all day, everyday. It has been a blessing to watch them interact with each other and an even bigger blessing to talk with them and me around their contagious spirit.

The children have honestly been the most positive part of my experience here thus far. The circumstances in Busia are not the best, at all. It is an extremely rural town (for all those who understand Amharic, this place is the definition of BALAGERE!)…much more than I expected. Although my home-stay provides me with a decent room, bathroom (with a toilet and toilet paper), and 3 meals a day, that is not the case for many of the people in this town. There are chickens running around our front yard (at least 5), cattle, sheep, goat are always on the streets, and the most common form of transportation is the bicycle….needless to say it has been an adjustment. The food pretty much consists of starch, starch and some more starch. We usually eat bread/butter and tea for breakfast and our lunches and dinners are some combination of rice, potatoes (regular and sweet), bananas (not the sweet fruit but like plantains) some type of beans, posha (cornflower), chipate (a delicious flat bread), and occasionally some kind of vegetable or meat (beef or fish). Shockingly, I miss fruits and salads and foods with protein...but again, we are eating better than many of those around us, so I am grateful for the three meals I receive everyday.

Ugandan people, especially the family I am living with is generous beyond anything I have ever experienced before. It is a type of generosity and sincere hospitality that as Americans, we do not know let alone practice. Ken (the director of orphanage) and his family that I am staying with go out of their way each and every day to make me and the other volunteers here feel safe and at home. It is at times mindboggling the amount of kindness they have showed us all. Overall although, I have noticed that Ugandan people, in general, are generous and honest. Even if they do not have a lot, they will make sure their guests are taken care of and always provide anything we may need to feel comfortable. It is a phenomenon I am still trying to wrap my head around…how a group of people who have so little can give so much. But I am a firm believer in Karma, so I am confident the kindness I have been surrounded by in the house and in this community, will come back to my new Ugandan friend’s ten folds.

My first weekend in Busia….coming soon. I miss everyone and do not even like spending hours trying to log on to any social networking sites, simply because isolating myself has been the only way I can keep my focus and intention on my purpose here instead of what is going on in the states. But I am sure all of my friends and fam in Marietta and Chapel Hill are having a fabulous summer. Mom, Dad, CT, sisters, Olivia and Morgan….I love you all and think about each one of you all the time. Stay tuned, I am trying my hardest to keep you all posted as often as possible!

xoxo

PGJ

From the Middle East..to East Africa!

Hi loves,

I have been MIA for the past couple days simply because my nights have transformed into my days and my body has been in adjustment mode. BUT I'm baaaaaack! Where to start, where to start. After a beautiful night in the AMAZING city of Dubai, we finally touched down in Kampala. First off, Dubai was breathtaking! It is as if Las Vegas was just magically placed in the Middle East..but with A LOT more flavor and elegance. I got hooked up with a free night stay in a hotel and me and the gang took a night tour of the city. It is by far one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to in my life, I absolutely loved it!
We arrived in Entebbe on June 2nd and were greeted by the lively and energetic, George. His excitement to see us and work with us this summer put me at ease and made me feel so much more comfortable. George works with one of the grassroots organizations that AGRADU partners with (Katosi Women's Development Trust). He has been wonderful in assisting us adjust and get everything in order in Kampala before we all disperse to our different internships. Exploring Kampala has been exciting and exhausting. It's such a huge city...so much larger than anything I expected. The heat is real and the showers are cold, but the experience is such a blessing and I have wholeheartedly been enjoying every second of it. The lifestyle here is slow...very slow. But it really has allowed me to breathe and absorb every hour of each day. A LOT of reflection time and even more time to meditate on my intention and purpose here. I leave for Busia (New Hope) tomorrow, so this time has been wonderful and I have appreciated every minute of it.
Yesterday, a family member that lives in Kampala picked me and one of the other interns (Njeri) up from our hotel and took us to his house for dinner. He was genuinely kind and his family was extremely welcoming and generous. I ate injera and I can honestly say I have never been so happy to see shiro in my life. You never really understand how much, as human beings, we long for familiarity..until you are put in an unfamiliar situation. We talked about my mom and my aunts and uncles and how he remembers them from 30 plus years ago. It was a great night that really rejuvenated me and put any anxious feelings I had aside for the next 2 months.
Today is my last day in Kampala before I am off to the real deal. Mixed emotions about leaving this developed city to go to an extremely rural town..but I am ready. I am grateful for what is to come, thankful for all the experiences thus far, and most importantly I am aiming to wake up each day with the utmost intention, acceptance and openness to grow.
Hopefully, I can update you all after settling into my home in Busia. I miss the fam and friends already, but am enjoying this 'me' time.

Pictures of Dubai (even though the pics don't do it justice) and some of our hotel and us in Kampala are COMING SOON!



Keep it classy, America.
-PGJ

And I'm Off !!

Hi everyone!

Today is the big day...yeeek! I am off to the airport for a LONG 2 day journey to the motherland. First stop, luckily, is the beautiful city of Dubai! Today, although, I will spending an astounding 8 hours in JFK International Airport -__- (might won't make it?) It's cool though, I got movies for days, books, and the Ipod..so I should be good! Excited and anxious as of now, but mostly just ready to embark on the trip of a lifetime. Send up some prayers, good thoughts, and positive energy. Keep it classy America, see you in 2 months!

xoxo
PGJ

T-3 days till take off...

So, I leave in t-3 days, Yeeeek! I cannot believe it! Me and Mom's have been running around like mad women trying to get everything together for the big trip. She has been wonderful and without her, I am pretty sure my life would be in shambles right about now. Mixed emotions, as expected. More than anything, I am thankful. Thankful for this opportunity and thankful for all the love from all my family here, and all my future brothers and sisters at New Hope. Packing should be fun, considering I have no concept of 'packing lightly'. Nevertheless, let the excitement begin. Until next time.

PGJ(Peace, Gratitude, Joy)