Two Weeks Plus

I tried to get on-line yesterday to see if I could post but the connections wasn't fast enough. The way it is, to use the internet connection on my computer, I have to sit outside. While the weather is beautiful, the glare on the screen is awful.

Classes have started, but the classes for the new social science program don't start until September 29th. Even more, the classes are at the campus in Kampala which I didn't find out until I finished unpacking at the house we were assigned to in Nkozi. The undergrad classes are in the evening in Kampala which makes commuting almost impossible. Saturday there is a meeting of the administrative folks to sort out the details. The challenge is having Bry'Chell with me. Here, they would just put her in boarding school. I explained that Americans don't do much boarding school, especially not for a 7th grader.

I'm working on syllabi for the new sociology program. It's not a big deal since I have written plenty of syllabi in my time. I take the ones I have and adapt them to the local needs. The challenge is finding books since there isn't really a library available with sociology materials. My stuff won't be arriving for a few more weeks. I have a few books, but not many.

I have learned how to navigate the local market. There's not a lot of selection, but I found carrots today. One of the stores said they would order low-fat milk for me. Right now all we can get is whole milk unless we go to Kampala. The next time I do to Kampala I'm going to buy LOTS of low fat and skim milk. The available milk is that ultra pasturized stuff that can stay on the shelf without refrigeraion for months. It tastes fine. It's what most of the world uses, if they pasturize at all.

I have a phone number to call a local farmer about eggs and chicken. I need to do that soon. The only meat we have left is something I bought at the Embassy Market called "Hungarian Salami". I put it in the omettes I made the other night. Turns out Hungarian Salami is just another name for bologna. Oh well, live and learn.

On the other hand, avacados are about the size of a small cantelope. They are huge. Unfortunately, I don't have any tortilla chips to eat with them. Maybe I can fine some in Kampala. All they have around here is Pringles, which are totally disgusting.

We did get a housekeeper for three days a week. She does all the laundry by hand, which is the only way it can be done around here given the lack of wash machines. We pay her 60,000 Ush a month which is way more than the going rate, but still not much. She works for the only other American sister on campus two days a week for 40,000 Ush giving her a total of 100,000 Ush a month. That's as much as a school teacher makes. To know how much that is in US dollars, divide by 1600.

Well, I have to go, Bry'Chell's math tutor is coming over shortly and I want to be there when he arrives. He's been a big help, all the more important because Bry'Chell doesnt especially like math.

Until the next time...feel free to leave comments.