Sunday Lunch

It's been a really nice weekend so far. We went to a social gathering hosted by the PTA on Friday evening. It was wonderful to meet so many people from different countries. Many of them are teachers at the school, so it is fun knowing that Sam will draw from so much cultural diversity.

We had dinner at a neighbors yesterday, which was wonderful because our grill has not arrived, and she grilled meat and veggies. I am so grateful for the people who have already opened their homes (and cars since we don't have one) to us.

Today, we are having some special guests from the states come for dinner. It will be our first time to meet, but exciting to be able to host some visitors. Since cooking here is always from scratch, mainly due to lack of prefab food options, I spent a few hours preparing and cleaning up. We decided to eat lunch out at a new local restaurant. We all got different dishes than we actually ordered, but it was wonderful anyway. It's an open patio type dining, and this was our view! I almost felt guilty eating my beef samosas!

Expecting Different

I try to work on my posts offline since we are sharing Internet right now. So, today, I am posting twice.

We have been here almost two weeks. Prior to departing the U.S., I tried to prepare myself for things to be really different. Typically, I do not like different, therefore I had to really have a good heart to heart with myself about how I was going to deal with different. I decided that if I just expected things to be VERY different, and be VERY patient, and just do what needs to be done, then it would be easier for me to find joy and peace with different. So, that is what I have, and am doing. Expecting different, and waiting. Almost a sense of no expectations, therefore, no disappointments. So far, this is working out well. I try to take in all of the things that I see. Since our home is very pleasant to look at, and very comfortable, I find it to be a sanctuary. I feel very fortunate when I ride through the city, and I see s many people living in very limited conditions, yet they seem happy. They make the best of it.

I see women outside the door of their one room building, washing clothes by hand in a round tub. Other women and men sweeping the ground outside their door. Yes, sweeping dirt, from dirt. I can guess that maybe they are just clearing the ground for debris, so that it is just smooth dirt under their sandals or bare feet. They are chatting, and children are carry jugs to the water source. They are making the best of it.  I enjoy that, I enjoy seeing people making the best of it. It inspires me, to make the best of it, especially since my situation is one that bears no complaining, all things considered.

One thing I really enjoy here is the beautiful, cool air that we have late in the evening and early morning. When I walk outside to enjoy the night air I can see the city in the distance. This is good- different. This is where you see the beauty.

Got Milk?

I always find it interesting to see what type of products are sold in other countries. It's not always a completely different product, but maybe just the way the product is packaged. For instance, when I first arrived, our sponsor had shopped for a few groceries for us, and had them stocked in he house so we would have a few meals before we needed to grocery shop. The milk was in the carton that we would see in the U.S. as shelf stable milk. This is good, but I see cows walking our streets, so I knew we must have fresh milk. Well, we do, I was just looking for the typical jugs that we would see in the U.S. This is how you find it here, in a bag.

Then you cut it open, and pour it into this handy dandy pitcher that looks really cute in your fridge.

Week One

Well, we have been gone from the states a whole week, and a lot has happened. We got through the long flight, settled into our house, attended Sam's new school orientation,  sent him off to school for his first day today, and got Savannah signed up to start her last sememster on line.

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our dogs in the next few days, and we received word that our personal goods are ahead of schedule, and should arrive in the next week. I am excited for all of that. The current items lent to us until our shipment arrives is limited to one item per person in the house. Yes, one fork, one spoon, one towel, well you get the idea. So this creates a lot of extra work for us. If I'm cooking, which happens often because fast food does not exist, and I use a utensil to stir with, then said utensil has to be washed so that someone can use it to eat. With that said, I am so happy that my things are coming.

I am also looking forward to some upcoming events set up for back to school, which allows new families to meet and make connections. I don't mind spending time by myself around the house. Fact, it's like a little mini vacation where I can finally have some down time. After all, there is not a plethora of shopping malls or extra things to do. But, I am looking forward to meeting people, and doing things to make my stay here enjoyable and productive.

I can't wait to see what the next few weeks have in store for us!

Side not: I have had a lot of requests for more pictures. I am working on this, but just haven't had a good chance to take a lot of photos without looking like  a tourist. I also do not have a car, so I am usually walking, or being driven. Either case, not really photo op time.

If anyone has anything specific they would like to know about our life here, as I learn it too, feel free to ask.

We are in Uganda

We arrived safely in Uganda three days ago. So far, it has been a good experience. We arrived late in the evening, and were greeted and transported by our sponsor, and a few othergentlemen who drove us and our 12 bags of belongings to our house. Our house is nice, a good bit smaller than our home in the states, but still very nice, with a wonderful yard. The weather is beautiful. It is like spring or fall weather, with a little rain each afternoon, as it is the rainy season.
We spent the first few days going into the city to look around, and to set up cell phones and Internet. Everything here is done on a cash only basis, which is kind of nice to not have to share you credit card info with everyone, but difficult because it is UGX (Ugandan Cash), which we do not have any of. Fortunately, our sponsor planned ahead for us, and prepared some UGX for us to get us by until we can go see the cashier this week.
Phones are pay as you go, and you can buy "air" cards for your phone minutes anywhere, including your car window while sitting in traffic. In fact, you can buy lot of things while sitting in traffic, such as toilet paper, and racket shaped bug zappers. Although we have phones, we will likely use Skype for our international calling since it is very cheap this way, if not free, when calling Skpye to Skype.
It was really interesting traveling through the city. Although it is not very far in terms of distance, it takes a while because traffic is crazy. The road is approximately 2 to 3 lanes wide, but there are no lines, and no real order. Everyone just gets in where they can, using the horn often as a warning signal, or to let someone know they can go in front of you. A large, four wheel drive type of vehicle is a must in my opinion. You want to be seen, and you need to jump curbs when necessary.
Another interesting thing is the Boda's. These are motorcycle taxis, and they are EVERYWHERE. They will carry anything from a person (maybe even three people), to a large sofa. Yes, I said sofa! I also noticed a 50 gallon barrel on one. I admire their ability to adapt and make due with what you have.
Overall, the people here are very friendly, and I feel welcome here. Today we walked up the hill to the local shopping center and pizza place as we do not yet have a care, nor do I feel like I will ever drive here. The pizza is really good, freshly made, and cooked in a fire oven in the center of the small building.
We will wait about two weeks until our things arrive, which I am looking forward to having our usual household items that are being sent. I am also looking forward to the dogs arriving. They will be here in a week, and I miss them a lot. I only hope our guards do not mind dogs, because I am sure our Schnauzer will get a little excited to have others in "his" yard.
Well, I am hoping to get my days and nights straight, and will plan to post more as we get settled. Best wishes for a great week to all of you.

Goodbye Atlanta (for now)

The day has finally arrived. We will be leaving Atlanta tomorrow. We made a quick trip to AL to drop off the car, and say goodbye to some friends and family. We had a great dinner at Hard Rock Cafe, and a quick MARTA trip to Lenox mall, and back to the hotel for some much needed rest.

Although we are excited to get to our new home and get settled in, we are also sad to say goodbye to everyone, but it is only for a little while. We will be back before you know it for visits. Until then, we will be thinking of everyone. I will post as soon as we get some Internet connection, but until then, take care everyone.

Packout Complete!

Finally, the packout/move out process is complete. What a job! The movers where at our house for four days, completing the job on Friday. We spent the next four days cleaning, patching, painting, and packing up the last of our personal items that we will take in our suitcases. It was quite a task to make sure we kept only what we needed, but enough of the essentials to last approximately a month until our things arrive.

I cannot thank my friends and neighbors enough for all of their help in the process. I had a great send off at work, complete with cake (I love cake).

Our wonderful supper club group had a cookout, and helped take a few things into storage for us, holding it hostage so we would be sure to come back when we return. Another friend took my large envelope of old family pictures to create a memory book for me that is long overdue.

I also had a fun surprise when I was preparing for our realtor to come over and do the final inspection; an unpacked cabinet!!!  My Christmas dishes! Now what am I supposed to do with that? A quick phone call to a wonderful friend, and she shows up with the perfect sized box, complete with bubble wrap and tape. I quickly packed all of it up, and she took it to store for me. Thanks so much friend!

All and all, a very tiring week, but it was made so much easier with the help of  such wonderful friends.