It's been a while since I've posted but I haven't forgotten that there is a part two to this "There and Back" post. Since I'm about one month away from heading to Uganda, I have been doing a lot of thinking and reflecting on what it was like while I was there. One this is for sure, it wasn't as hot as it is here in the D.C. area. We had an Ozone Alert yesterday which meant I stayed in the house for the better part of the day. Since I don't predict the temperature to reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then it is safe to say that I can pack for the usual summer that we have in the D.C. area (minus the humidity).
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| The Nile |
I have also been planning to reconnect with some great people that I met while in Kampala in March. Hopefully, I'll be able to do more historic tours like I did at the Nile (and maybe even swim in it), as well as tour the rest of the 9200 district. I'm also looking forward to possibly going to a football match (soccer) and getting a Ugandan jersey. Even though I used to play soccer up till the age of about 11 or so, I haven't really watched any professional matches (besides the occasional game on T.V.).
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The Mandela National Stadium
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I'm really starting to look forward to this new adventure. Now, that's not to say that I wasn't looking forward to it before, but as I'm starting to do more research for my project this year as well as think about community service and where I want to visit in the district, I'm starting to realize that...Toto, I won't be in the U.S. anymore, I'll be in a place that's rich with history, has a very unique culture, and will be the start of more to come.
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| Orange Soda...It's supposed to say Mirinda in Arabic |
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| Theo other side of the soda can |
There are a couple of things that might take some time getting used to, such as the multiple languages (such as Lugandan and English and even Arabic). Another scholar headed to Kampala is actually going to be taking language courses in Lugandan while there. I considered it but I think I also want to learn Swahili (at some point while I'm in East Africa). Even though in the D.C. area there is a sense of a melting pot with many cultures and languages, so the idea of being around multiple languages isn't a hard concept to grasp. It's when people begin to speak these local languages to me that I may have to get used to or just learn (which should be fun!).
One thing I'm really looking forward to getting used to is the food! During my visit in March, I tried so many different foods that had Indian and Ugandan influence. But since I will be travelling around the district to speak to different Rotary Clubs in each country, I'm going to try to get a taste of each country through a cultural dish as well!
I'm bound to write one more post before departing for this adventure. So until next time!
One thing I'm really looking forward to getting used to is the food! During my visit in March, I tried so many different foods that had Indian and Ugandan influence. But since I will be travelling around the district to speak to different Rotary Clubs in each country, I'm going to try to get a taste of each country through a cultural dish as well! 