A Photo Blog

I wanted to give you a glimpse at my life for the last 3 months, so below are some of the many photos I've got from Uganda. I've got lots more goofy touristy ones, but I think these ones do a fairly good job capturing more of the lifestyle I've been living day-to-day. Enjoy!

NOTE: Unless otherwise specified, "host-dad," "host-mom," or related terms refer to my longer-term host-family in Mukono. "Rural-homestay-host-dad," etc. refers to my 1-week host-family in Serere.

Host-dad (George). He doesn't smile much for photos because he says chances are better that he'll get a good photo if he keeps a straight face. Pretty reasonable, I think.

Host-sister (Peace) and "Baby." Alternatively adorable, obnoxious, and hilarious. Like most 3 year-olds.

Yup, I learned to flat-iron. I charge $2/shirt. You never know when your dryer will go bust...

USP (Uganda Studies Program) Students in an on-campus restaurant. Dear Christian Colleges of America: recruit more men.

Eating jackfruit at home.

 My host-family's neighbor during the rural homestay in Serere District, sporting the "I carry my potatoes on my head" swagger.

Watering tomato plants in Serere. I was just informed that this little garden was destroyed by hail last month.

From left: Rural-homestay-host-brother Onyege, host-family neighbor on the right. Jackfruit on the tree... crazy.

From left: Rural-homestay-host-dad Onyege, me, and host-brother Onyege (yep, same name) after church.

Some guy brought a Ugandan harp to the well, and of course he wanted a picture with the muzungu. I'll be quite glad not to be a muzungu anymore.

From left: Rural-homestay-host-mom Lois, me, host-dad Onyege at home 

Sipi Falls, during a debrief after rural homestays. Ask Kelly R what she thinks about this place.

From left: host-mom Josephine, Peace, and me on our way to the family's village in Busia District.

From left: Host-cousin Senga, me, host-mom, Peace, Christine, and host-cousin Anyango at the Kenyan border in Busia District. I wasn't allowed to cross...

Clockwise from left: Senga, Christine, me, host-brother Richard, and host-mom on Lake Victoria in Busia District.

 Peace has this pose that she makes while repeating the words, "model, model, model..."

Host-mom, stoked.

 From left: host-mom, host-dad, me, Richard, Peace, Christine, Senga

 From left: host-grandma (on host-mom's side), me, and her fellow wife (polygamous marriage) in their house

Host-grandma (on host-dad's side). This woman is a firecracker.

Drawing water in the village in Busia. In Mukono we'd get water from a well, but it came out of a tap. They don't all look this rustic. 

 For Nancy (click to enlarge).

I see Malaria! Legit, I saw it. I had an internship at the local health clinic, and as cool as this might look, it mostly consisted of sitting on a stool and watching the lab techs cleaning slides.

From left: Rob, Jake, and Gabe... the other three guys who came to Uganda. 

 Jake.

The typical bus situation for one of the USP weekend trips. These buses were SO crowded- I wish I could capture it.

 Stoked to have ice cream.

 What is it? It's a MONKEY!

I did some volunteer hours with this guy who repairs shoes in town.

 In Queen Elizabeth National Park for the safari.

Hippos!

 My friend Sam at the health clinic. He wants me to marry his sister and aims to marry either Kelly or Elise. Unfortunately, plans never materialized.

 Host-mom doing what she does. She hopes to open a vocational school at some point.

Richard helping me to slaughter a... what is that? Oh, that's right, it's a TURKEY. Seriously, I'm glad to leave Uganda for the sole reason that I'll never have to slaughter anything again.

 Host-brother Peter watching TV. This is a pretty typical night at home.

Host-mom sifting the rice

Getting the easter lunch ready! We were so late for church, and host-dad was not happy.

From left: Peter, me, and Richard.

From left: Peter, me, and Christine

 From left: me, Richard, and Peter at the dinner table. The women ate in the living room or on the floor (cultural difference...).

 Washing dishes with Christine

Peter trying to do homework as Peace and I distract him. He's pursuing a BA in social work at Kyambogo University

That's a taste of January-April in Uganda for you... there's plenty more where that came from.