January 27, 2008

Owaino Market

I finally made it to Owaino Market during IST. I've been hearing about how great it is since I arrived in Uganda. No exaggeration. It's a huge second-hand clothing market that also sells suitcases, radios, and, umm, not sure what else. But it's big and has tons of stuff for cheap. The only way I know how to really describe it is like the markets in Taiwan, but with much narrower aisles-wide enough to fit only half a person. But I don't think that really helps a lot of people, since they might not have been to Taiwan… People are constantly shouting at you and grabbing you while you pass their stations. For me, it's the usual uchina, Japan, Korea, etc. Fun. And completely overwhelming. The best thing to do if you're headed to Owaino is to have a game plan. Either know exactly what you want to get while you're there, or go in with no plan to buy anything at all. Otherwise, you're screwed. You'll be looking from side to side, front to back with no idea what to do or where to go. And it's always good to go with other people-preferably a really large (white) guy. Luckily for me, my first time going I had two large white guys with me. The drawback being I was either their wife or mistress. Not sure how I feel about that… And despite multiple explanations and protests from my friends, the Ugandans still believed that I was one or the other. Oh well. Better that than being asked if I want a Ugandan husband. It was also "interesting" (for lack of a better word) to walk through a second time with just my friend Zach. Now, it should be said that Zach is a really tall white boy. Over 6 ft. For him, he lives in the village, so everyone knows him and calls him by his name. (Kind of like Cheers.) And while walking around Owaino with me, he was basically invisible. People didn't really harass him, but focused on me, the Asian standing next to him. Fun. When he did get noticed, it was easy for him to explain that he was from the US. They believed him, no arguments made. Me? That was an entirely different story. It took the both of us to try and explain that I'm from NY and not some Asian country. And more often than not, the Ugandans still didn’t believe us. sigh What're you gonna' do? It didn't take Zach very long to catch on to the fact that I was incessantly being harassed (unlike him) and take pity on me (not that he could do anything about it.) As Karine, who often walked around with me during training in L___, put it "Man, it's intense walking around with her. It never stops." Which is all too true, sadly. Sometimes, I wish I could just disappear. Stealth mode. Nice.


The Illnesses Return

During training, Anni and Liz, our amazing PCMOs, once told us that we were "the sickest group they ever had". And they meant this in the nicest way possible, of course. I can only recall 2 people out of our group of 21 who didn't get sick. They told us that we'd get better once we were at site, which turned out to be true, for the most part. (There were, of course, several cases of "stomach problems" among our group. But that was to be expected.) However, for some strange reason, as soon as we all got back together for another training, we started dropping like flies. (I, luckily, did not succumb to whatever curse was put on us.) Out of the 20 of us that were there (Reva, from a previous group, joined us), 13 were either sick and/or had some weird rash on their body. Very odd indeed. There were cases of dysentery (oh, what joy), conjunctivitis, worms (yes, worms!), and god knows what else. Sarah B. managed to lose her voice after only 2 days of being at training. And lord only knows what was causing the rash-like thing that was on Caitlin, Nicole, and Jon's arms. (Neither Anni nor Liz could figure out what caused them.) But, let me tell you… it was nasty looking. Personally, I think it's a sign that we shouldn't be together. Because every time we do, we start dropping like flies. And it ain't a pretty sight. That, or the hotel we stayed at is harboring lots of bacteria, mold, and what-not. And we should never stay there again for trainings, etc. Which would be sad for me, since I didn't get sick. And it has a pool. The latter being the most important. Though, one could argue that the former would be more important, since I wouldn't have been able to enjoy the pool if I did get sick… hmmm


The Perils of Running Water

Now, don't get me wrong…I consider myself blessed that I have running water at my site. I love having a porcelain choo and not having to worry about peeing in a bucket late at night. It's awesome. But, there are some times when having running water is not so much fun. i.e.-When it's 8:30 at night, your toilet starts to overflow like it's Niagara Falls, you have no idea how to make the water stop coming out, there's no plumber around, and you have to leave the next day at the butt-crack of dawn for training for the next two weeks. What did I do, you ask? I did what any sensible girl would do in such a situation. I stood by the toilet for a good 5 minutes, flushing every time the toilet filled up and threatened to overflow again. Yup. That was my quick-fix solution. Until I realized that I couldn't do this all night, let alone while I was in K'la for training. (Although, once I clone myself I might just do that the next time it happens.) Luckily, my neighbors are awesome and came over and helped me devise something a bit better that slowed down the water flow. Still, when I got back from training, the tank was once again full and there was an entire water-basin full of water below the tank. Nice.

February Group

January 7, 2008

This is for the newbies coming in February…First off, welcome to the Peace Corps! Now, off to business.

Packing. Girls, pack skirts that hit the knee or longer. But, also pack 2-3 pairs of pants that you like and are comfy. This can include jeans (though they're a bitch to wash.) You can wear them when you're hanging out with friends, in Kampala, or if you get placed in a town. Tank tops are okay for hanging out and the like, too. For the guys, you're a bunch of lucky bastards. Pack nice khakis and shirts. Polos will do. How much clothes you do or don't bring is truly up to you. If you're like my friend Caitlin, you'll bring your entire wardrobe with you. If you're like me, you'll bring practically nothing, just enough to get by. (There're plenty of good clothing markets to add to your wardrobe when the time comes.) But, definitely bring enough so that you can kind of change your wardrobe up and not be the smelly trainee/volunteer. No one likes a smelly trainee/volunteer.

Here are the essentials for all:

day pack (for lugging to training every day and mini-trips)

small duffel (empty) to fill after training (you'll get tons of books and a med kit)

2-3 sets of sheets and pillow cases

TSA locks

wallet of some sort

headlamp (2 in case you're unclucky enough to drop yours down a latrine)

sleeping bag

quick dry/pack towel (anything quick dry is good!)

Nalgene or the like

adapter

3 mos. worth of hygiene products (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)

rain jacket

sweater

good walking/hiking shoes (look into Chacos-we get a discount)

(we also get a discount on Tevas!) (some EMS stores give a humanitarian discount, too…definitely the one in Philly for some last min. shopping)

iPod and laptop (if you don't mind if they don't make it back after 2 years)

jump drive

camera

Leatherman/Swiss Army/Gerber/etc.

books (and dvds if your laptop has a dvd player)

hand sanitizer

favourite portable entertainment (playing cards, scrabble, Frisbee, Sudoku, etc.)

good supply of favourite snack foods and/or granola bars

drink packets (Gatorade, Crystal Light, etc.)

Ziploc bags (various sizes)

batteries (rechargeable are the best, until you get placed where there is no electricity)

Non-essentials:

gift for Homestay family (can be bought in-country)

pens/pencils (if you're picky)

post-its

1-2 padded envelopes (for mailing gifts home)

markers/crayons/colouring pencils

pictures (good ice-breaker for Homestay)

map (US and world) (also helpful during Homestay)

measuring cups/spoons

good peeler

blank cds (for burning pictures to send home)

travel guide (though, plenty of other volunteers will inevitably bring one, and you can just borrow theirs!)

On top of all these things (I probably forgot some stuff, sorry), bring whatever you think you can't live without for 2 years. Remember… Uganda will be your home for the next 27 mos!!! If you want to bring it, and it'll fit in your luggage, BRING IT!!! Or, bring it as one of your check-ins/carry-ons. The only things you don't need to bring are drugs (unless they're prescription.) Peace Corps provides the best medical you'll ever have in your life. Live it up.

A good idea would be to mail some stuff off to yourself (if doesn't all fit into your check-ins) before you leave. Especially snack foods and reading material. Here's the mailing address:

Your Name, PCT

P.O. Box 29348

Kampala, Uganda

East Africa

Do NOT send it off to the 7007 address!!! It'll get to you, but it'll take a lot longer.

Good luck! Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions (Ms.JenYang@gmail.com). And bring me trail mix. Please.