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07 June 02
How embarassing! Has it really been a month since I made my last meager attempt to update this site? I'm finding that being back at work (and in front of a computer for a good portion of the day) is prohibitive to webpage updates. Not even sure if anyone's looking anymore! (Are you still there Mr. L?)
Whew. Another Friday T-G-I-F. And this was a short week. Monday was a National Ugandan holiday - Martyr's Day. The story goes like this: Back in the days of the Buganda kingdom (18th C. I think), the king began to realize that the Christians were beginning to turn away from him and his laws, as they were true believers. The king decided to make and example of them and burned 20 or so Catholics and a handful of Protestants at the stake. The ironic part of the story - his action actually strengthened those that were doubting Christians and caused others to convert because of the faith of those that died. The Catholic church has declared them Martyrs - the largest number in the world.
So it's a big event here, tons of people making a pilgrimage to the site, international visitors, etc. I was speaking with one of my colleagues about it, a doctor. He said he goes every year. I was amazed at how happy and excited he seemed about it. I guess it is one of the most exciting annual events in Uganda. Unfortunately, I prefer not to wade into that large of crowd, it freaks me out. There were quite a few reports afterwards of highway banditry. Guess more than just Christians view it as a special day.
So that was a three day weekend, and it followed just after Askan and I returned from 10 days in Germany. Make that 8 days if you take away travel, and 7 if you exclude the day I lost from drinking too much Franken wine (just kidding! I think it was all that rich food...) Anyway, it was a too short trip to see Askan's family in Wuerzburg, and for Askan to touch base with his office in Bonn. That said, Germany sure is beautiful in Springtime. I had already forgotten... and I had also forgotten how long the days are in Summer. Light by 5:30 and until almost 10pm. Amazing! Here, as Uganda is on the equator, we get a regular 12 to 12 and half hours, 7 to 7. I have a tendancy to fall asleep when it gets dark, so my productive hours are fewer here. At least that's my excuse...
I'm trying to thing of what I enjoyed the most, being back in Germany. I'd have to say it was the Italian ice. No one has figured out how to make a good ice here, for some reason. The have all the ingredients, tons of milk, sugar and fruits. I was craving a brat and soft pretzel before I arrived, but one was enough. We ate lots of chocolate, true. Although it's the best in Germany, it's not something I went out of my way to get. I guess the conclusion is that we (at least I) have adjusted to life in Uganda, and it's not so bad. I guess you learn to like living with fewer choices and less frequent advertising attemps to empty your pocket.
It's after 7pm, let me see if I can drag Askan away from the office to get some food. Indian tonight. By the way, if you haven't click on my Link of Week (or month in this case), it gives some background on the place I'm working. It's kind of a lame website, but at least it gives some info.