my life... and other ramblings

(warning… this blog post has not been proofed and is full of rambling)
I took Mercy today for her health check required by the US Embassy. And as I predicted, she does have an ear infection. I asked the other doctor about this two weeks ago, but he said she was fine, just malaria. I guess in Uganda, unless drainage is just falling out of the ear, they don’t really get concerned. But this could explain her difficulty in falling asleep and staying asleep. I should have known my mother’s intuition was correct. She is very small for her age, but gaining weight. Her weight still does not really make it on to the growth charts, but her height does. Woo hoo! They also did an HIV test, which came back negative. They told me it was now only voluntary, but I figured better to know for sure than wonder. I knew it wouldn’t change my mind about her one bit, but I want to be informed. Funny thing, she did not cry when the nurse pricked her toe to get blood for the HIV test. She actually smiled through it. Than when the doctor wanted to listen to her heart and lungs, she screamed bloody murder. I told her she better used to it because she’ll see the doctor a lot when we get home. Can't wait to get her home and get her all of the medical care she needs.

Here’s another interesting fact for you… you do not need a prescription to get medication in Uganda. There are pharmacies everywhere and you just walk in and tell them your symptoms of what you want. I had the doctor write down the names of the meds just because I am not familiar with the names of their medications over here. It’s just funny to me that anyone can walk in off of the street and get medications. I must admit it is kind of handy… and an antibiotic, decongestant, nasal drops and some extra malaria meds for Beth just cost me a little over $20.

Last night, I went with my friend, Aly, to see native dancing at the Ndere Center in Kampala. Aly’s Ugandan friends, Sam and Ann, invited us and said it was a must see for tourists. They were right. Aunt Trudy, “Why have I never seen this before??” They highlight each of the main regions and their traditional dancing, costumes, and rituals. It was very interesting and I am forever fascinated at the way they can move their bodies. No amount of training could ever get my hips to move like they do. I really with Emma and Avery had been there to see it. They would have loved it. I got some photos and video, but I’m afraid it would take forever to load from here. Sorry! But a great time was had by all and it was a bonus to be with Ugandans because they gave us the inside information on everything happening.

Another great blessing from the night… I was talking with Ann and asking her about where she works. Turns out that she works for an NGO (like a non-profit) that hands out medical supplies, health care information, and mosquito nets around the country. I started telling her about the “Mama Kits” that I am trying to make, and she told me they make them too and it would probably be cheaper to get them from her group. So, I got a call today from the man she works with that is in charge of them and he’s investigating how many I can get and will get back with me tomorrow. How cool is it that I just happened to meet this woman last night? God is so good. Another interesting fact, Sam and Ann both work for NGO’s that are supported by the US Government. I did not realize the amount of aid the US puts into Uganda. I knew we gave quite a bit to other parts of Africa, but it was nice to hear how my tax dollars are being used. They also told us about the great amount of accountability that is required by our government. It was very encouraging to hear.

I really wish that I could walk around with a camera or video camera all of the time. I see the most interesting things. But lugging a baby around everywhere and then digging out a camera is not always possible. Just a few of them… yesterday, I saw a man driving a boda (motorcycle) while carrying two large couch cushions in front of him. You could just see his eyes over the cushion. How he was managing to drive I will never know. I love to watch the women walking down the street … today while eating my lunch I saw a woman with a baby tied to her back, dressed to the nines, balancing a basket on her heads and carrying a big purse. How do she do that?? I can’t manage a baby and a backpack. It is not at all uncommon to see giant longhorn cattle wandering down the road... we are talking a major road with lots and lots of cars. The funny thing is that nobody else seems to really care that they are there and no one is rounding them up. My driver this morning took a “shortcut” which meant weaving in and out of all of these itty bitty roads. He took me though one neighborhood that was unlike any I’d seen before. It was on a hill and all of the shops, homes, and people were so crammed together. It felt like I was going through a maze of wooden shacks, charcoal burners, and children walking with water jugs. The poverty of this neighborhood was a bit overwhelming . I don’t think I saw a single child fully clothed. Then just a few seconds later and we were driving through one of the richest parts of town with mansions all around, guards, and chauffeurs. It was unnerving to see the comparison.

One last funny story… last night I was supposed to take a boda to meet Aly to go to the dancing. I asked my boda driver if he knew this place. He said, “YES!”. Well, he didn’t and he dropped me a few blocks past where I was supposed to be and it was up a very steep hill. I was going to walk it, but I was running a bit late and there was another boda driver right there. I asked him how much to take me to this place. I knew it wasn’t far. He said, “1500 (approx. 75 cents) .” I said, “No way!” He said, “Get on”. He drove me to the place, which took about a minute or two. And when I got off I gave him 500 (which was more than fair) and said, “You were going to charge me 1500 for that. Do you think I am a dumb mzungu?.” He laughed and laughed and said,”Yes.”

Please start praying now for court on Friday. It will be at approximately 9 am Uganda time, which is 1 am CST.