Just a Typical Ugandan Weekend

What an eventful weekend it has been!  I am beginning to get used to the normal routine of the Ugandan life and am newly experiencing much of the Ugandan culture at the same time.  This weekend has been full of ups and a few downs.  Thursday was a major up, as I got to attend my first Ugandan party! It was a graduation party for my new friend Demali’s sister, Brandi.  Mama Harriet was catering the party, and I got to tag along as a guest.  The night was AMAZING.  I made many new friends, including a little girl named Matilda, Brandi-the graduate, Brian-a music producer (who looks strangely familiar to Carlton from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air…), Edward-my brother Joshua’s tutor, and many more.  The party started with a short service given by the reverend, which included a prayer for the graduates.  Then, we ATE. We ate a LOT.  It was delicious, of course, because my Mama is the best cook around. I am blessed J The night ended with a dance party! This was the most fun I’ve had in a while, as it started with the young guests and children dancing to some hip-hop music, but it ended with me, Mama, Nalango and Demali dancing together.  And they all can move! It was a great end to a great night J

On Friday, I went to Kampala to visit the craft market and Garden City mall.  Kampala is a crazy city, and the ride there in a matatu (taxi) is even crazier.  The craft market was wonderful, and I found myself wishing I had more money to buy gifts for friends and family.  The mall was surprisingly very westernized.  Being in a coffee shop, watching people eating salads, and seeing pizza (all food…can you tell where my mind was at?) made me feel strange.  I began to think about what I would be doing if I was in America at that moment, and that feeling continued over to Saturday.

On Saturday, I woke up and helped make breakfast tea for the family. I then did laundry (which is quite the process!), washed dishes with Jennifer, and made lunch with Jennifer.  I realized how life here is really centered on running a house and keeping a family alive.  The days consist of cleaning and preparing for the next meal.  I was very glad to be a part of this process on Saturday, as I was settling in to traditional African life, but it was a slightly hard adjustment.  I realized that not only am I adjusting to a move from America to Uganda, but I’m adjusting to a change from independent, college dorm life to living in a home with a family to look out for again.  And let me tell you, the latter adjustment is much harder to make.  However difficult it may be though, I love my Ugandan family, and giving up much of my independent life is well worth it for the love and care I have received!

Sunday started off much the same way as Saturday, except we attended church as well.  The other occurrence on Sunday was that I experienced my first African stomach bug…When you mix acid reflex disease with the flu, you get a horrible feeling L

No matter how bad I felt, however, I still cannot contain the joy I feel inside in knowing that I get to spend over 3 more months living an African lifestyle.  This realization keeps coming to me, and I feel a rush of excitement every time.  I cannot wait for the time when I am so used to the Ugandan way of doing things that I am forever changed and will not be the same when I go back home in the summer.

Oh and on Sunday I also got to attend another graduation party! When I wasn’t feeling sick, of course…This party was HUGE, and Mama catered the whole thing for around 200 people! I got to see two of my American USP friends there, and it was great to catch up with them and witness some of the different African traditions together.  

So there you have it. My first true Ugandan weekend J And what a blessing it has been!