Top 5s

As we close in on the end of our stay, here are the top 5 things I will miss about Uganda:

5. The vistas. Uganda is a country of beautiful landscapes from the Rwenzori mountains, to Lake Victoria, to the savannah lands, and everything in between. There is a breathtaking view around each corner.

4. The colors. In addition to the views, everyday life here is injected with vibrant color. The bright colors of the traditional clothing, the flowers, and the fruits and vegetables.

3. Extremely cheap organic produce – Ah, the 10 cent giant avocado…the 30 cent stack of tomatoes…. the 50 cent pineapple. Berkeley Bowl and Monterey Market will seem like an absolute rip off in comparison.

2. Living the good life – Here in Uganda we can afford massages ($7 an hour), a daily housekeeper, and a house on the golf course.

1. The people we’ve met along the way. We’ve met some really wonderful people here that have been incredibly welcoming and helpful – from the impressive doctors and researchers, to our fabulous housekeeper Sandra, to the general people we meet in our travels. Ugandans have a reputation of being incredibly friendly and that has surely been our experience.

Still, here are also the top 5 things I am looking forward to back in the US:

5. Reliable utilities – I have a new appreciation for the utilities in developed countries and I’m looking forward to bathing Ani in water without having to boil it first and having electricity on a daily basis.

4. Anonymity – While Ani will probably be depressed that she will no longer generate stares and smiles from everyone around, I’m looking forward to blending in a little more to my surroundings.

3. Trader Joes – and all its ready-to-eat goodness.

2. Relaxation – I’ve had plenty of time to relax here in Mbarara, but I’m looking forward to sleeping without the anxiety and vivid dreams courtesy of Larium (antimalarial medication) and not having to fret about mosquitoes, Ebola, etc….

1. Seeing our friends and family. We’ll be in Michigan from December 19^th to January 5^th and hope to catch up with family, especially my new niece Amata. After that it is back to Berkeley and into our new apartment in UC Village.

Ssese Islands

We took a short vacation on the Ssese (pronounced “say say”) islands this week – sort of an early Christmas and celebrating the end of Ben’s data collection. The main island was very laidback and absolutely beautiful. Here’s the view from our hotel balcony. The only problem are the many, many mosquitoes at night. They were also apparently getting their Christmas dinner early as well – courtesy of my blood. Here’s hoping the antimalarial medication really works!

Our Holiday E-Card

Seasons greetings to all! Here’s a photo of us in our matching Kitenge clothes we had made earlier in our stay. We know, it’s the ultimate in cheese but we did it anyways.

Hope everyone is having a good holiday season. We have had a nice break from the onslaught of Christmas advertising but I am looking forward to some holiday cheer next week. Ani and I are headed back to Michigan next Wednesday – leaving Uganda on Sunday night and spending about 24 hours in California. Originally our plan was to stay with Ben until early January but for a number of reasons – including the recent Ebola outbreak – we’ve decided to cut our stay by two weeks.

On that note – Happy Holidays!