Catching up on the last couple days:

May 24th:

Got to the very small Entebbe airport around 7ish and after some luggage struggle (the cart I was pushing felt like all 4 wheels were no round and a Yemi lost her bag *sad face*), got onto a bus and had a 40 minute drive to our first destination. During the drive (it was at night) my scenses where overwhelming... mainly smell because it was pretty dark out but saw a few Ugandans around!

The bus unloaded at the 'retreat center' for a night around 9ish (I think) and headed to the training center after breakfast. Got our Malaria pill rations for training and had an opportunity to take a shower (I'm sure we all took one!) and ate some Ugandan food! We finally were able to sleep laying down after about 30+ hours spend flying and in an airplane... ugh. Plus we were sleeping in mosquito nets! I slept so well I almost forgot how it wonderful it felt to lay down! Dinner last night: Mashed plantains (matooke), rice w veggies, beef, chicken, kidney beans, and a mixture of 'greens' (kale I think). This morning it started off with one rooster crowing for about an hour.... then two more chimed in for another hour or so.... I didn't think roosters could sleep in :p

First so Far:

Eating a meal on a plane
Flying internationally
Having a layover flight
Having my very own PASSPORT!!
Being on another continent
Standing in the southern hemisphere (South Africa layover)
Saw a Zebra... pelt
Slept under a mosquito net

and that was only the traveling portion... along with some things that didn't seem as exciting to add to the list.

May 25- 27

We arrived at the training center.... completely organic! They have a HUGE garden... a few actually... with carrots, plantains, bananas, cabbage, pineapple, passion fruit, papaya, mango.... and tons more! We were introduced to our instructors and PCMO (peace corps medical officers) and had a few brief classes about Health, Safety and Security. The next day we spent learning some Luganda (most common language in central Uganda) for about 4 hours... Wasuzotyano ssebo (How did you spend your night sir) Osiibyeotyano nnyabo (How did you spend your day mam).... Oli - otya (informal hello). Also through being here for only a few days already picked up a few other words... Webale (Thank You) which I use quite a bit. Mutatu (taxi) which the taxi's here are usually vans and the taxi park here is crazy.... Google: Kampala taxi park... normal taxi's we think of in the US are called 'specials' or 'private'.... but almost every car here would be considered one because anyone is willing to drive you around for extra cash so... it's kind of weird. We got a Kampala (Uganda Capitol) tour today and it was crazy! Many Ugandans... of course... and got called Mazungu (white person) a ton which was... weird... you are white so they assume you are rich and overcharge you so haggling is a must... even for locals.... working in a flea market in the past helps a lot with that hahaha (life experience). Also got a tour of the compound today... AKA 4 of us walked around and talked to the locals that live on the land and take care of it/ work here. Baby pigs everywhere!!! Adorableness. And got to FINALLY pet a COW and a CALF!!! YEAH! Who would have thought the first time I pet a cow was going to be in Uganda... sooo cool!!! and I was touching like... every pigs nose :p I only get 1 hour on this computer so I'm just trying to give you guys something to read.... basically its awesome here.

Took my first bucket bath about 2 hours ago and I rock at it! Also learned how to wash clothes by hand... the Ugandans are really clean! They think most of us Mazungus wash our clothes poorly here  because we don't have the technique down... I deff can't rinse correctly in a bucket... But I will get better, I've only been here less than a week and already learning the culture... felt sick and jet lagged a bit the past 3 days but today felt loads better... with watermelon for breakfast! The new Malaria pills probably don't help. But... this place is PARADISE! SOOOOOO GREEENNNN!!!  It has been raining about twice a day... once in the early morning and again in the afternoon... usually it pours for about 30 min-1 hour and stops... but when it rains.... boy it rains hard and I'm sure I haven't even seen the real rainy season yet!!

Until next time.... I hope this is a good amount to read!

I'm livin' the Dream.... MY Dream!!! :D