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!