[NOT] Saying goodbye

So I haven't been as bad at this blogging thing as it seemed...here's what happened: I DID create a post filled with quite a few pictures, using my ipod and some free WiFi I picked up in Entebbe last week, but then I had a connection in dubai and, once again, the whole page turned in arabic. I made a guess and pressed something and that turned out to be the *delete post* button. I was, well, pretty discouraged, and decided not to post until things settled down again...I can't say they have BUT I had a beautiful period of calm as I was essentially without a phone. I'm not sure if anyone was looking for me but believe me I was TIRED and shamelessly took the opportunity to get away from every responsibility that was calling my name.

Anyway, I have jumped the gun a bit -- let me fill you in in what happened over the past two weeks...

So I finally made it to AYMU offices and did A LOT of paperwork. How much?

Well, actually, A LOT more than this...I had to accounty for EVERY expediture made over the past 7 weeks. As in from 500/= worth of airtime, to our grocery shopping at the market, to petrol and office rent. I've only shown SOME of the airtime! After working on that for a couple of days, I just have to say THANK YOU GRINNELL COLLEGE FOR changing your policy about submitting receipts! I'm glad my accounting paperwork was limited to those 3 days at the office!

I LOVED Entebbe! A lot!

There was one evening, I walked from work to Aero beach. Well, of course it was really a lake and not a beach, but dat neva stop if from having some great sand. While I was there I hung out with the Zebras and the Camel:

Okay! Okay! The zebra isn't real but the camel sure is! But I mostly spent time along the shoreline just watching the sun set and making my journal entries and thinking about the amazing fried fish I had for dinner the previous night (which came from that very lake)

Now let me tell you, that tilapia was (h)amazing... and it kept me thru to lunch the next day!

My last day of work was pretty short; my supervisor insisted that we take a trip to the zoo as my final day treat. Indeed it was a treat. I met 5 chimps who had the most incredible personalities! They were all sleeping/resting when we arrived but er begged the keeper to help us their attention and she did. She threw them some bananas and they woke up right there and then. But one of them didn't get any #slowpoke...an mi tell u seh him vex! how mi know? boss man sat down, folding his shoulders, tun him back to us, and every five or so seconds, clapping his hand to get the keeper's attention!

Sorry -- no zoom on this device :(

Then it was back to Kawempe. I must admit, journeying home in the friday evening traffic made me miss Grinnell for a split second, but what was to come was all worth it! My surprise going away party! Most of the family was out for the day, but they came home with 3 live chicken that met their doom that night! A feast was served, followed by everyone wishing me well and farewell...

 Dinner in the making...whomever said too many cooks spoil the stew had obviously never journeyed to a Ugandan kitchen! I'd just say too many cooks make A LOT of food, because when I was half way through my plate I had to lay flat on the ground!

Sorry, I lost the pic that had me in it --- but I there's mum (purple) with Elaine, one of her granddaughters, next to her is her sister, holding little Bianca. Bianca is Grace's daughter, which makes her my niece :)

So, a great friend once told me that once you visit a friend's home and get along well with their mother, that's just it, the friendship will last for eternity. Translation: Christine, thanks for setting yourself up to put up with me as your sister for the rest of our lives! I had a great time in Uganda, but I know I will be back, after all.... I have a bed there!