A day in Luweero

We have been staying at a guest house in Luweero, about a 15 minute walk from the Maama Watali house. Susan and I are sharing a room with brad having his own. There are hot water showers there...unexpected and welcome luxury!

Brad and I both pretty tired yesterday as neither of us slept well the night before. I was a little cranky when we had to have our bags searched at 2 buildings. My pack was locked and had to pull out keys and find right key for right lock. While Susan and Brad waited for me to get it together. I'm getting a lot of teasing about my big camera/computer bag which seems to have my life in it. I keep compartments locked so strangers in the street can't jostle me and open zippers to take what they want.

We met the girls and kids and others who stay or hang out at the house. They made us supper last night and the night before. The first night they made us a chicken stew, mashed bananas, roast potatoes. Last night we had dried tilaupa with potatoes and steamed mashed bananas. We were also treated to fresh jackfruit before supper which is fresh and sweet. breakfast at guesthouse is an omelet, sausages, toast and a wonderful milky tea which is steeped in hot milk and chai spices.

Today we are having a work day at the house. Walls have been painted and shelves will go up for the library books when they arrive. The shipping container was in Mombasa Tuesday. We are waiting for it to be released from customs and trucked to Kampala where we arrange for it to be trucked to Luweero after it clears Uganda customs. Sometime end of next week.

Today I gave the youngest children colouring books, crayons and books. They were a hit! The books were Dr Suess Cat in Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. I read the cat in the hat out loud and loved the big smiles on Kayanji's face. Ebra is two and loved his Sesame Street picture book. He wanders around with it under his arm. He doesn't cry anymore when he looks at me like he did the day before. Progress! however, he cries when his picture is taken. Runs from the camera. I gave tea to the girls and micro screwdriver, and head lamps to the guys. There is no hydro at the house. The women make supper on charcoal braziers in the dark. Susan brought them a solar panel light which will be much used. We plan to buy more lights and rent them out. When the battery needs to be charged, People bring back the light and recharge it with solar battery charger. It will be income for Maama Watali.

Tomorrow we will be going into Kampala for a wedding introduction party and will be there until Sunday or Monday. I'm having a traditional Ugandan formal dress sewn by a tailor. The bride's groom will be formally introduced to her family with him providing her family with gifts. We will be part of the bride's family. It is Susan's niece. Brad has a traditional man's dress to wear and is literally a long dress. he has been getting a lot of teasing from Susan and I about it.
Susan's brother Jackson, who had polio at age 8 from a bad polio vaccine, and walks with crutches has been our driver.

I am especially drawn to the children.  hey have such big eyes and smiles and intensely curious. I love to say hello and wave and touch a hand or face. They are simple and just love to look at us up close. been taking some pictures and will take lots more through the day today now I am better rested.

Anyway my Internet time is about to run out. If you don't hear from me everday....don't worry. we cannot always get to Internet cafe to blog and check email everyday. Love to all of you! Miss you....Chris