Rafting the Nile

Before Jenny's arrival, and before my Peace Corps mid-service conference, a bunch of us got together to raft the class 5 rapids the White Nile offers outside of Jinja. It was an adventure but we all made it back happy, unscathed and exhausted.

We finished off the weekend with a leisurely boat cruise on the Nile with good friends and cold beverages. A good time was had by all. So fun.

A nice calm boat cruise after our crazy rafting trip

She's heeeeeeeeeeeeeere!

Jen made it to Uganda safe and sound! We spent one night in Kampala where we got pedicures, an espresso milkshake, and went out for Thai food. The next day we quickly acclimated to real Ugandan life by spending most of the day on the public bus on our way to Gulu, where we intended to pick up the 'Friendship Bus' that goes to Pajule. After lunch in Gulu, we found out that the bus was in the shop and wasn't making the trip that day. Luckily, we found a matatu (a van-type vehicle designed to hold 14 passengers), crammed with 21 people to take us to Pajule.

We reached my town around 6:30 in the evening and found that there was no power. We had pb and banana sandwiches and some wine for dinner and called it a night. (I haven't had power in Pajule for quite some time, so I apologize for not updating the blog more timely....) Anyway, Jen got the tour of the piggery, my office and town overall and got to meet and greet my local buddies. This morning, we got a ride to the junction about 17 kms from Pajule, and hitched a ride with an NGO vehicle the rest of the way to Gulu. We're staying at a fellow PCV's house tonight and we'll  head to Murchison Falls tomorrow for a game tour. We've had a great time so far and the fun continues for another few days. Pics to come!!!

Count Down

Two weeks from today, I'll be picking up my sis at the Entebbe airport. Our sister's vacation will finally happen... even if we're not on an exotic beach, sipping pina coladas and reading gossip mags, it's sure to be a great time.

Jen, get ready for the world of pit latrines, beans and posho and bumpy bus rides! We'll be traveling up-country where we'll stay in my village for a few days (in my one-room house with no running water), then we'll head to Murchison Falls National Park to boat the Nile, hike the falls, and hopefully see lots of local animals.

I couldn't be happier that Jen is willing to brave this adventure with me... It will definitely be a vacation to remember!

P.S. Matt, I promise to take good care of her.

This little piggy went to market. This little piggy went home (with me)!

A few weekends ago, I brought some piglets home for a mini-vacation. The mother was running low on milk, and I picked the smallest ones to bring home in an effort to fatten them up before sending them back to compete with their bigger siblings. Well, it didn't really work that way because I had a hard time getting them to eat much (tried soaking milk up on a rag and using a dish- no baby bottles are available in my town). 

Anyway, they had a good time playing in the grass. And I had a good time watching them run around in the yard. Maybe when they're a bit older, I'll take one on as a pet. They sure are cute!

Word of the Day

Marburg Fever.

Confirmed in Kabale District, Uganda and has killed 5 to date.
Seems to me to be similar to the Ebola outbreak we had a few months ago. As a fellow PCV put it, every day our lives become more and more similar to Matt Damon's character in Contagion. But not to worry folks, I don't plan on traveling to the southwest anytime soon, and as always, I'll try my best to avoid bats and strangers' bodily fluids.

Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever is a rare, severe type of hemorrhagic fever that affects both humans and non-human primates. A person suffering from Marburg presents with sudden onset of high fever with headache, chills and body aches. Around the fifth day after the onset of symptoms, a rash (most prominent on the chest, back or stomach) may occur. Nausea, vomiting, chest pain, a sore throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea then may appear. Symptoms become increasingly severe and may include jaundice, inflammation of the pancreas, weight loss, delirium, shock, liver failure, massive hemorrhaging, and multi-organ dysfunction. Marburg disease may be spread through direct contact with body fluids like saliva, urine or blood of an infected person or the body of someone who has died from the disease. Since the virus spreads through direct contact with blood and other body secretions of an infected person, people living with and caring for Marburg patients are at a high risk of getting infected.

We advise that all Mission members, residing and traveling in southwest Uganda avoid contact with individuals exhibiting the symptoms described above until further information becomes available. To minimize the risk of contracting Marburg, avoid direct contact with body fluids (blood, saliva, vomit, urine, and stool) by wearing protective materials like gloves, masks and gowns. CDC also recommends avoiding exposure to primates, fruit bats and areas where fruit bats reside (caves, roosts and abandoned buildings).

Happy Birthday Jenny!!!

Happy birthday to the very best sister, friend and role model in the whole world! 

Can't wait to celebrate Ugandan style in a few weeks!!! Love you! xoxo

Happy Birthday, Mama!!!

Mom,

I put on the fanciest dress that I could find in honor of your birthday. We celebrated in style for your big day. Sending you lots of love, glitz and glamour from Uganda! I hope that you have a grand celebration!!! 

Love you!

Ugandan mermaid?

Susy hopes that your birthday is as glamorous as she looks.

Aditi is dancing for your special day.

Serious fanciness