You are most welcome

I wrote this post about 2 weeks ago and I'd been meaning to post it over a month ago! Nothing has really prevented me from doing it other than pure, straight up, laziness. Whoops :P

Life has been good since my wonderful two week holiday in Taiwan. When we got back, we had an all volunteer conference for a few days. It was so great hanging out with all the Peace Corps Uganda volunteers in one place because it never really happens. Also allowed me to meet the newbies who arrived in June who I still hadn’t met. One night we had a bonfire. One night we even had prom. Everyone looked great and of course, I’m always down for dancing ;)

Then right after All Vol, my friend came to visit for two weeks! We did a lot of stuff all over the place. In case you didn’t know, I hate traveling in this country because of the terrible road conditions, how long it takes, and how cramped the pack you in a car. But it was worth it!

We went to an island in Lake Victoria, rafted the Nile (yes, I did it again), a safari, saw my place, and climbed a mountain. I was exhausted when it was over and was so happy to crash into bed and not move for a long time after I got home.

STORY TIME! On the safari, a leopard attacked our vehicle! Also, at night, a hippo was right outside our tent eating grass. It scared me so much to be that close to a hippo, but it was so cool! The guide had us watch it from behind a tree so it would hit the tree if it charged at us. Then he said “never shine your light on their face” and what does he do? Shine his flashlight at her. I couldn’t sleep for awhile because of how loud the hippo was from being just on the other side of the tent.

Another thing to mention: Climbing a mountain. Wow. What a feat! It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it was also the most rewarding. It’s a very steep climb with a lot of rickety old step ladders made out of sticks. Near the top, there are a lot of narrow paths with sharp drop offs on both sides. It was terrifying! I honestly can’t believe I didn’t fall. Especially coming down when my legs felt like jello. The top is also the boarder points of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.

It was a lot of fun to have a visitor to show around. I think more of you should follow the example and also come see me. But maybe not right after I get back from a trip of my own, because I was waaayy too tired at the end of it. Still though ;)

SCHOOL STUFF: Since I’ve been back, term 3 has started. Half way through it now. Can’t believe almost one year (half) of my Peace Corps service is over. Student teachers came to do school practice for a month so I showed them the Positive Behavior System (PBS) I’ve been doing with my P4 class. I also brought a pack of games and showed my teachers some things we can play with pupils as a reward for good behavior doing this PBS. We also had a Spelling Bee in the local language (Runyankore) with the P3 class. The top 5 winners are going to the regional Spelling Bee next Monday. Should be fun for them! They don’t have many opportunities to travel.

HOUSE STUFF: Housing has been a bit of an issue for me. I had to move out of the nun convent and go to a temporary house right before Taiwan. Since then, I am still in this temporary (but very nice!) house waiting for my actual house to be fixed up. They just need to add some more locks to make it a bit safer, but it’ll be nice to finally get moved into a permanent place and get settled. I was worried that I was going to have to get a site change if this didn’t work out. I’m glad it seems to be! Oh, also. My friend who lived at this temporary place before me left all of her things to me. This means I now have a couch and a refrigerator! OMG

PEACE CORPS STUFF: I am Satellite Liaison for the new group of volunteers arriving in November who get placed in the Southwest region (where I live). I’ve very excited for this because that means I get to go to a little bit of their training and meet them! Also that I can show them around and help answer their questions, etc.

In other news, I have been eating far too much candy like items that were brought back from Taiwan. I am genuinely feeling good at the moment. I had a bit of anxiety about things during term 1 and 2, but this term, it seems to have mostly vanished. Maybe it’s because I’m fast approaching my “half way there!” mark and only have a year left. This year’s gone by so fast so I’m sure the next one will as well. I’m considering a possible trip home next summer as a break point and something to refresh myself from here. It’d be good for my sanity I think ;)

Until next time!

<3

at the beach on Lake Victoria

when the leopard jumped out of the bush, growled,
and attacked our vehicle. awesome

Mt. Sibenyo
Nearing the 3rd and final peak
Can see the stair/ladders and the trail we took.
The 1st and 2nd peak look very close together
in the top right