So we are down to just 3 Americans. I have seen 5 leave already and it's like a family member is leaving. The house is empty at night and I will soon probably have my own room. I don't even have my own room at home. But they did say that this was the slow season, and I am glad I came at this particular time, 1, because God has me here at His perfect time, 2, because it is slow, and they need all the help they can get. Not everyone can take 3 months off with no responsibilities back home. Us mzungu's have almost "celebrity status" here. We are few and far between so when someone see's us they shout MZUNGU!! and wave or come up and talk to us. It's really weird and at first I was uncomfortable with it, but I am getting used to it. I have been told that some Ugandan's think white people are perfect, and have no problems at all, and some don't think we are human at all. But we are human and have just as much sin and shame and problems as anyone else. The thing I love about Uganda are the people her, they are amazing and extremely hard workers. If I had to do what they do on a daily basis, I would I have no money and live on the street.
Culture differences I have experienced:
1. We live in the capital of Uganda, so as you can imagine, it is very city like and extremely hectic. Sometimes you can forget that you are in Africa until you realize that there is HUGE terradactyl birds continually flying over the city.
2. Space is very limited and apparently frowned upon in this city. Cars are literally on top of each other and if you are in line at the grocery store and leave about an inch of room between you and the person in front of you, someone will cut you in line. It's really ridiculous. You are forced to breathe down other peoples necks.
3.Men here hold hands with other men, but it is not what you think, it means they are friends. Which I find extremely fascinating considering in the US. guys can barely handle a 2 second hug or hand shake let alone holding hands on a walk. Also, men can hold hands with other women but that only means they are friends too. When a man holds a woman's wrist, that means that they are "together".
4. No one prays silently here. Everyone prays out loud, which is kind of hard to get used to. I will walk in on my roomate praying out loud and I feel like I am intruding.
5. When cars honk here, it isn't considered a rude gesture, it means that someone is either passing you or close to you so don't hit it. It's probably more polite than to not do it.
6. Uganda has not adapted the 21st century's way of sweeping. They still use twigs tied together and it is a pain, because it does not pick up anything and you have to bend down to do it.
7. Goats, dogs, cats and cattle roam the streets as if they are lizzards in America. I can't think of a better example because stray dogs are usually taken in, in America and cats are always hiding. But these animals are everywhere and sometimes cattle are in the middle of a busy roundabout where there is grass and they're just grazing as if they are in an open field.
8. They don't use trash cans here, they dump their trash wherever and then just burn it. Which I think is the worst thing to do because 1, it's a horrible smell, 2, it just makes it worse I think, and 3, I am going to have the lungs of a smoker by the time I get home.
9. Because traffic is so bad here, people make a living by selling things car to car while we are in back to back traffic. It's actually pretty convenient because you can buy a pair of sunglasses without getting out of your car, and you can try them on etc. I call it African HSN. They do harass you when you are in your car though, and when they see a mzungu, they expect us to have money so they won't leave the window until we yell at them.
That's all that I can think of right now but there is so much.
What I miss the most about the western world, is:
1.washer and dryer (everything is hand washed and hung to dry outside. By the time it is dry is smells of burnt trash.)
2. American food
3. A microwave
4. chocolate that isn't $2 a bar
Also, regarding my dilemma, I changed my flight to Feb 28th as oppose to Jan 31st! I am so excited and only need $300 more. So if you feel led to give, feel free and whatever excess I have I am going to donate to an orphanage we go to. Thanks everybody!
Lauren
No comments:
Post a Comment