1. Carry a hankie with you at all times. It's hot and the air is thick with dirt, dust, grime and smoke. Make sure to wash the hankie frequently. It usually turns from white to brown within 12 hours. For excessive perspirerers out there apply baby powder to your face.
2. Leave your cravings for crunch at home. Ugandan food is mush: there's no such thing as an overcooked potato or bannana here.
3. Keep your eyes down when walking. Rocks, cracks, potholes and open manholes are plentiful here.
4. Keep your eyes on the sky when walking. Large vulture-like birds (Kaloli in Luganda) swarm the skies. They eat wood, animals, babies, garbage and metal. They have no predators because they are so toxic and when they die they lay rotting, untouched by other animals. If one of these unfortuante creatures poops on you, your chance of develpoing a severe infection is high.
5. Keep your head on a swivel. Cars and motorcycles appear out of nowhere. they will not stop for people. In my first week I saw a byciclist hit by a van and a man hit by a taxi.
6. Eat fresh fruit. Because the equator runs through Uganda the pineapple, mangoes and bannans are to die for. My host family grows papaya in their front yard and we often eat it for dessert!
7. Give yourself plenty of time to get anywhere in Kampala. My seven mile journey from home to school takes 45 - 60 minutes in the morning and up to 2 hours in the evening.
8. Be presentable. You can either be a muzungu, or a tourist. Tiourists are considered dirty with nothing to offer. If you are a clean Muzungu, however, you will be respected and receive help more readily. I have always considered myself a bit domestic. I enjoy cooking and don't mind cleaning. But I never picked up the knack for ironing. I never imagined receiving a tutorial on ironing from my middle-aged host dad in Uganda who wants me to look "smart".
9. Bring Toilet paper with you. My host family uses computer paper in its place, and let me tell you, it does not have the same absorption qualities. When I told my friend about this she said, "Oh, that's rough." I responded, "Why, yes it is." I recently learned, however, to crumple the paper several times before use in order to soften it.
10. Leave your map at home. First of all, they're confusing. Second of all Ugandans are extremely friendly. They are more than happy to help direct you and abuot 50% of the time they will escort you to your destination.
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3 comments:
I think one of those birds pooped on me... I suffering from a severe sickness. I miss you!
i meant, "I am" suffering from a severe sickness
i meant, "I am" suffering from a severe sickness
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