one white guy

"Men come tamely home at night only from the next field or street, where their household echoes haunt, and their life pines because it breathes its own breath over again; their shadows, morning and evening, reach farther than their daily steps. We should come home from far, from adventures, and perils, and discoveries every day, with new experience and character." Henry David Thoreau
November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving – Uganda Version

I’ve moved on from feeling sorry for myself to really appreciating how awesome it is to be in Uganda for a year. I haven’t accomplished much on my bucket list and it’s definitely tough being away from my community, but this year has been cooler than I can ever explain.

Here are the top ten simple things I’m currently thankful for in Uganda, in no particular order:

1. Avocados – well, really all produce. Everything here is fresher, tastier, and probably more healthy than back at home. I was never a big avocado fan in the States, but here I can’t get enough. Guacamole at my hole-in-the-wall cafe in Ntinda is a favorite.

2. Weather – it’s weird to track what season we’re in when every day hovers in the mid-80s, but then I remember: this is awesome! Perfect weather all year-long isn’t a bad trade-off for Virginia winters.

3. Walking to work – Some days I get to work a little sweaty, some days covered in mud, but for the most part my morning and evening walk is really fun. Besides being good exercise, I’ve gotten to know some vendors and neighbors along the way and feel way more immersed in normal Ugandan life. Read the rest of this entry »

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November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving – Sappy Version

There’s nothing I don’t like about Thanksgiving. Because there are only five of us in my family, we’ve taken on a traditional beach trip this time each year– somewhere slightly warmer than Virginia, but no doubt abandoned and peaceful in the off-season. On turkey-day morning we take walks on the beach; after dinner we play mini golf. Then we eat more. It’s heaven.

It is especially hard to be away from home this year. While fall foliage and dropping temperatures signal the holiday season Stateside, I’m stable at 80 degrees with only random clues from Facebook that times are changing. Other fellows are wrapping up their time here; ex-pat friends are heading home for the holidays. I’ve lived in Uganda just over five months and I can count on my fingers the number of times I’ve talked to my family. I don’t have my friends or any familiar conveniences. It’s starting to get really lonely. And weird. A little tradition and comfort food would have been nice.

Not all is lost, though. The IJM interns and fellows will meet this weekend at our director’s house for a Ugandan approximation of the traditional Thanksgiving meal. We’ll do the games and the TV marathons, drink wine, eat pie, and (I’m sure) go around the table sharing one thing for which we’re thankful. I’m sure it’ll be a great substitute and will give me a chance to reflect honestly on giving thanks. Read the rest of this entry »

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