one white guy

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.

4. Kampala restaurants – It’s kinda fun being a foodie in Kampala. While traditional Ugandan food is somewhat bland, the plethora of international restaurants makes up for it. I’ve craved Indian a lot and Kampala really delivers.

5. IJM Uganda staff -  They’ve taught me a lot in a short time and I really love coming to work each day. Yesterday, for example, as our computers were serviced we all went out and played bocce ball for two hours. Where else can you do that?

6. Rain storms – African storms are just as awesome as you’d imagine. From nowhere, we’ll get thrashed with sheets of rain, gutters becoming rivers, roads becoming lakes. It’s really impressive and really fun to watch… from indoors.

7. Boda rides – Because I walk a lot of places now, I’m on the back of a motorcycle less frequently. I read back tp my initial blog post about boda-bodas and can happily say that I still get a rush from each ride. I’m also better at negotiating prices, which helps.

8. Ugandan women – Chocolate skin. Perfect smiles. Long limbs. Fluid walks. Yes, please.

9. G-nuts and yogurt – For some reason, I’ve become addicted to these two foods. G-nuts are basically smaller peanuts and come dirt cheap and delicious. The yogurt here is incredible and I have no idea why. My fridge and pantry are always stocked with these two.

10. Adorable Ugandan children - The kids here alternate between bashful and bold, thrilled or terrified of seeing a mzungu in their midst. The little guy pictured above found me at a soccer game in Luwero. He first snuck up behind me to touch my leg hair and hands, then grew more comfortable and started punching freely. Gotta love that.