Adventures in Eating

Probably one of my favorite things to do when traveling is trying out new foods. However, since I have been to Uganda before, one of my favorite things to do is eat the food I loved during my last visit. I can’t say I’m the most adventurous eater—I still haven’t tried the fried grasshoppers they sell along the roadside—but I’m not a picky eater either, which means I’ll try anything that is known by most people’s standards to be edible J. So, without further ado, here’s what I have been eating.

Rolex—No, it’s not the fancy wrist watch, rather a fancy egg roll-up. They whisk the egg with some cabbage, onion and tomato, then they fry it over a charcoal stove. Once the egg is almost cooked through, they place a chapatti (kind of like a thick tortilla) over it, flip the whole thing over, and warm up the chapatti. After it’s warm they roll the whole thing up like log and then I get to eat it!  Yum!

Indian—I have to say, Uganda has some awesome Indian food! My favorite is the spinach kofta with sauce, but I like pretty much everything. Plus, I love dipping the naan bread in the sauce and scooping up the meat and veggies. If I eat out in Uganda, 90% of the time I’ll try and get some sort of Indian dish. Man, my mouth is just watering thinking of it… The picture below is of my fabulous fish marsala as well as an unusual, and uninvited, dinner guest—a bunny. He must like Indian food too.

Steamed matoke with groundnut sauce—My friend Gloria came over for Ugandan’s Independence day (which was last Thursday) and she made this for us. Matoke looks like a green banana and tastes sort of like a potato. Usually I see it mashed and cooked in banana leaves, but I think this makes for a sticky or tacky-like texture. Steamed is probably my favorite way of eating it. Plus, I am a huge fan of groundnut (gnut) sauce, which is basically like crush peanuts with sautéed onion and tomatoes mixed with some spices. To the common, American eye this dish probably looks unappetizing; it is quite the opposite—full of flavor, even though it’s a simple dish.

Well, that's all for now folks. If I ever manage to talk myself into that whole grasshopper eating thing, I'll be sure to post that picture too :) because I'm pretty sure eating fried grasshoppers will be a one time thing!

Week 1: Start of classes...well, sort of...

I woke up last Monday having no idea what my day would entail. Unsure if, where, and when I would be teaching, I headed over to the office to find out. Instead of getting my questions answered, I ended up in a department meeting primarily focuses on reviewing last semester’s grades and discussing the disorganized time table (aka the class schedule was not accurate). Despite initial impressions, I was rather glad to be part of this meeting. It gave me insight into typical course grades (which I was unaware of), garnered insight into the time table timeline, allowed me to connect with colleagues, and provided a rather nice tea and lunch!

In reality, this experience is rather typical of the beginning of the semester. Many teachers and students are not yet on campus for various reasons. Teachers may not come because they do not have class rooms assigned or class times assigned and their is a lack of student attendance. For students, as far as I can tell, lack of attendance is due to seeking money for school fees (they can’t start until they’ve paid some tuition), transportation, "disorganized time tables", and lack of professor attendance. However, next week everyone is “serious” and classes truly begin. 

Keeping this trend in mind, I did not “seriously” begin classes this week. Handing out mostly introductory materials and frame-working class for the semester, I managed to create my own slow start. I am proud to say that in one course I taught, up to 15 of my 20 students managed to attend.

As the coming week of classes stands before me, I hope my current energy level can be maintained, if not slightly exceeded. I’m looking forward to a more certain schedule which will likely continue to aid my transition into Uganda. My most encouraging discovery this week was a lack of anxiety regarding my teaching. I finally feel comfortable with more of the material and lecturing before students, which of course is an answered prayer. So, thank you to everyone who has been praying for me! Likely, you will hear from me again next week about my first actual week of class J

In faith, hope, & love

In the spirit of learning more about Uganda---
I spy with my little eye: Two birds
Enjoy :)

Return to Uganda

I have arrived!

Late Thursday night I landed, once again, in Uganda. Not much has changed since my departure last December, unless you account for the mandatory health screening worksheet and enforced hand-sanitizing at the airport before being allowed to proceed to immigration (i.e. Ebola prevention). I'm not sure of the effectiveness of these measures, but then, I'm uncertain what would be effective prevention. I digress.

On Friday morning, Vanessa, the university's hospitality coordinator, and her daughter, Maxine, picked me (as they say here) from my guest house. The rainy season has arrived, slowing traffic, and delaying both their pickup and our return to campus. Since I came to know Vanessa and Maxine from my previous time in Uganda, I was very pleased to see some familiar faces greet me on Friday. Also, it made for a pleasant journey back to campus.

After settling me in my living quarters (a small apartment that is basically like my previous one I stayed in last year), Vanessa and Maxine said their goodbyes and I began unpacking. My half-hazard technique of unpacking meant my things were everywhere at once, but eventually I overcame the temporary ADD for the more needed, and just as temporary, OCD. Although I still see a few items in need of a home, I am mostly settled.

What is still unsettled is what Monday will look like. I'm not even sure if I'm teaching on Monday because I yet to receive a class schedule. Apparently classrooms are at a premium due to the number of students and the lack of completed classrooms (one is still in progress of being built). Therefore, class times have yet to be decided. Yet, that is Uganda! So while this situation might frighten me at home, here I laugh and just go with it. Amazing how location changes one's perspective :).

Well, I will give you an update on my first week at some point next week. Until then, actually for the next 3.5 months, I would love your prayers. I am too tired to list them all right now, but use your imagination--it's probably spot on at this point :).

Thanks everyone for you support! So glad to be on this journey with all of you behind me,
Joy