Broken Down Week

So I’ve been MIA for a while. It’s not like I had a choice though.
I was knocked on my back last week. I came back from the field on Monday and just didn’t feel well. I went to lie down—expecting that I would only take a 30 minute nap. That turned into 2 hours. I got up and felt extremely dizzy and nauseated. I HATE that feeling. I tried to boil water to take a bucket bath but ended up lying on kitchen floor trying not fall on my face. I hate the clamminess and losing the feeling in my hands. Smells made me nauseous—I could hardly eat. I went to bed and couldn’t sleep the entire night. I would get comfortable and the dizzy spells would come, I would reposition and then they would come on again. It sucked so bad! I had diarrhea but not terrible. 8am came and Abe came to check on me and I told him that I couldn’t get out of bed. I slept until 4pm that day. I was totally wasted from the nausea. Dennis, the nurse from the new clinic that will open came to check. He wanted to take me into town to get some tests. I wanted to punch his lights out for even suggesting that we get in a vehicle on these bumpy roads. Abe saved me and said that it wasn’t a good idea unless I wanted to go. I didn’t. I think it was just a stomach thing because I felt better after I woke up and slowly started gaining my appetite back. It was not fun! I’d rather have fever or army ants invade. I did get the question, “Are you pregnant?” I wanted to sock Paco for asking. No! I’m definitely not! Trust me, I know.
Also, our vehicle has been in the shop for a week. If you are viewing this entry, you know that I have the vehicle now. It was looked at in Kampala before coming but they either screwed something else up or didn’t fix the problem. The other issue was that something on the suspension needs to be fixed—not surprising since the roads are hell here. So none of the parts are in Fort Portal. Go figure. Patrick was heading into the capital to take some of the researchers who were heading home. He was able to pick up the timing chain but not the bushings (sp??) for the suspension because of one issue or another. I’m in freak out mode because we’ve been without a vehicle for a week and I have less than 3 weeks to get everything done. I lost 2 weeks because of Joel and Abe and being sick. I don’t have time for this! They are supposed to get the vehicle back to me with the timing chain and do the bushings after I leave. I drive slow anyway but we don’t really have a choice.
I’ve been trying to schedule everyone. Many are cooperating with me while others are being a bit more difficult. It’ll get done—I don’t have a choice.
Another issue: the damn printer has declared mutiny and refuses to print. For some reason, this printer has an “ink service module” that when it gets full, it needs to be replaced. Of course I’m not going to find that piece here! So either I can’t print anything any more or we are going to try to get someone to bring it over who is coming next week. We’ll see how that goes. I’d hate to have to go home and print stuff out there and mail them back but we’ll do what we have to do.
The only really fun thing that happened last week was that I made a program for some of the field researchers to meet with one of the women’s basket groups that I interviewed. The ladies were so adorable! They placed all their baskets out and we bought! I swear they are an addiction! Abe can’t help himself. He had to get rid of so much stuff before he left so that he could fit everything in his suitcases. The event was so much fun that other researchers are asking for another program so that they can buy. I think I probably have the most popular research project here. Everyone wants to tag along for the interviews. It’s kind of weird for me to think anyone would be interested in what I’m doing but they are. And I’m enjoying it. Just want my car back.
So if my schedule works out, I will be able to get everything done—by the skin of my teeth! We are also trying to schedule some other things. We hope to head to Semiliki on Sunday. We haven’t completely confirmed but are going to try to spend two days there—Sunday through Monday. If there are several of us, we can go for cheaper. Will let you know. The other thing we are going to do is go chimp trekking. I didn’t get to do it last year and I think as someone looking at tourism, I should participate in some of the activities that tourists do. We plan to do this on the 6th. Should be fun.
Yesterday, Erimos and I were on foot and interviewing individual basket makers. We were exhausted. We aren’t used to walking too far to get where we need to go. I think we did about 4km all the way around and it was a bit hot. But it was a good form of exercise and I need to get back into the groove since I’ve been out of it because of being ill.
Ok, I guess that sums up the week. Hope everyone is doing well. Hope to have more interesting things for you soon! =)

Long Week

Not much to report today. I wasn't ready to write a blog when I got home. Spent 2 lovely but difficult nights in town at Mountains of the Moon--needed some peace and quiet and a time to reflect. The great food, hot shower, movie channels, appropriate electricity and phone reception were awesome to have too. Wish it went under better circumstances. ANyway, I'm back to work--not too many days left--I think I have somewhere in the low 30ish days left and more and more women's group just keep popping up! Suzi probably needs some work done and need to get a day for that. . .too much to do dammit. But it will keep me busy. I'll do better at writing again. WE took Joel to the bus station today and Abe leaves next Sunday and then I'm back on my own. WE have a basket program today as they are hard to resist. Hope all is well and I'll get back on track soon.

Love you all and thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

The Saddest Week

Nothing is more defeating than knowing that you can't comfort the ones you love or even yourself. We lost an amazing woman last week and we are all struggling to understand. I don't have the words to describe my grief or the hopelessness I feel while staying here. I know little about what's going on. I feel deep sadness for all who loved Lindsay. We are all better people for knowing her. Lindsay, you are the angel in the sky. I know you will care for that little one in your arms and watch over all of us here. I know this isn't the last time we will be together. How I want to be home.

I don't remember much of last week other than trying to get through it. The immense frustration of everything did get to me--the crappy cell phone reception, the army ants attacking my latrine and my kitchen, the rain. . .Abe and Joel are here now and that's kept me busy.

I'm staying in town for two nights to get my head together and grieve as well as hear from family with less difficulty. I chose a hotel that I knew had good electricity and would have full reception and I can be just another mzungu. Didn't want to go to any of my sites because I didn't want people doting over me. I want to be left alone by everyone other than my family.

I'll get it together. I'll come back and finish and then I'll go home. I'll come home to Virginia and try to heal with everyone else. Please keep our families in your prayers. I'll see many of you when I return. I promise to have it together enough to finish my time here.

Take care of you all,
Amy

Happy June!

The days just run together for me. If it weren’t for a list on my makeshift calendar I wouldn’t really be able to remember anything that I’ve done!

Friday I had an interview with Richard Tooro who runs Kabarole Tours. I was relieved to find him there and that he remembered that we had an appointment. He’s full of great information and even suggested another site that he is trying to help promote. He’s pretty interesting and I feel that he genuinely has a good heart and the best intentions even if others don’t feel that it’s always such. Nevertheless, when it comes to advertising activities around here, he does it very well and everyone is getting the same price—works out best for us foreigners who are always suspect that people are trying to rip you off.

After that, Erimosi and I have lunch and then went back to the Guest Farm. However, the owner mistaken that I said 10am and not 1pm. So we saw some of the sites but have to come back next week to talk with her. Since I haven’t received a phone call stating otherwise, it looks like we will be doing so Monday morning. Beautiful place and seems to be mid-level at about $70/night (compared to high-end $295). They have horses though that look pretty thin—it pains me to see large animals (or any animal!) with their ribs visible. She’s going to have to do something if she hopes to continue to keep mzungus satisfied; they won’t like seen thin domestic animals. The flowers are still gorgeous.

Saturday Erimosi and I went on a hunt for individual basket weavers in the morning. He has located 3 last week while I stayed at camp working. I guess people are still surprised when we ask for them because I don’t think anyone has ever talked with basket makers before in this area. So it’s been difficult to find them. But once you talk to one. . .man, all of a sudden, EVERYONE starts coming out and bringing their baskets! In one area, we can probably spend at least half a day there because all these women kept showing up. The problem though, with the individual basket makers is that they aren’t making them for tourists—at least the ones we have found; they are making them just for locals. I going to rework the questions—particularly targeting more resource type questions and see if Abe wants us to continue looking at the individuals or if we should stick with just the groups.

In the afternoon, we went to our women’s group appointment. It rained on us pretty heavily and we were squashed inside the chairperson’s house until the end. They were so lovely and I learned a bit more about their baskets and the dyeing process and baskets of the past. They were pretty interesting. Some were still a bit bummed that I only wanted to talk about baskets but Erimosi has gotten pretty skilled at explaining why I can’t really look at anything else at this moment—perhaps the PhD. =) At the end of the meeting, I took group pictures, was forced to pose the African way with the only dude in the group (he makes cards, not baskets)—thank God the picture isn’t on my camera! Then they sang their anthem, which just tugs at your heart strings because they are great singers and performers. I’m such a sap that I got a little teary-eyed.

Then it was off to find my cook somewhere in the market. She was getting her hair done and the ladies in there wanted to get a hold of mine. No thanks! I have seen my former students beat their heads because the braids were so tight and they couldn’t scratch! We left without her since she had a ride and instead brought home the clinic directors wife--which is a whole other story only said to some of you in private since she is such a "character".

Anyway, we're in town and are doing groceries, email and pork! I'm so excited to get pork! WooHoo! I've manage to lose a little weight to the point where I can fit into some pants that I brought. Go me! I'll try not to destroy this success by stuffing my belly with pork but it's the only meat I can get for a while.

Take care of you all!