Bwindi Day #2

Church of Uganda at Bwindi Community Hospital

Bwindi Day #2

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Still recovering from jet lag, I was awake at 0100 for good.  I rested after breakfast, and spent the morning visioning my camera returning to me, having found Houssein and asked him to look in the pick-up truck and under the seat for my very small, but very precious camera. 

At 1500 the guests were all invited to attend Easter thanksgiving services for the United Church of Uganda-Anglican, held at the hospital in the administrative wing.  To follow was a good bye ceremony for 2 of the staff who were leaving the hospital.  Just before they started, Aida, the Communications Officer returned my camera to me--Hussein had found it!  So I have pictures to add to the blog. 

Other guests at the Guest House are a videographer doing a documentary on the Batwa pygmies, and two medical students from Denmark doing a rotation at the hospital.  Last night we were joined by four people from the other guest house who are part of a sonography company interested in and training sonography techs.  They are providing ultrasound machines used during pregnancy and the training to go with it.  I was excited to discuss the possibilities with them for including this training in the second half of the program during the midwifery component.  We exchanged cards.  Then the videographer, who is a Rotarian from Nevada City told me about an email he had received from the West Sacramento Rotary club seeking input on whether to support the Rotary International grant that is being submitted by Sacramento.  Since he is now very familiar with the project, thanks to dinner table conversations, he was happy to do so.  That must be what Scott and Carol Kellerman had in mind when they developed the Guest Houses and organized them along the hostel model. 

The Ugandans take church and all ceremonies very seriously, although not time as a specific thing to keep track of.  After starting ½ late, we were there 2 ½ hours, and the choir sang 14 songs, every stanza of each.  And then the good-bye ceremony started.  There was more entertainment, and I’ll say that the singers were excellent, heart-felt, and fervent in their religious expression, while all the time having a good time.  I was introduced, and received well wishes from all present.  There were many babies, and the Ugandan women were stunningly dressed with head scarves, dresses, good shoes.  They were beautiful.  All this in the midst of babies needing feeding and rocking, and a pouring rain storm.  Swallows flew in and out of the service, stopping to perch on the rail around the second floor balcony, and I swear they were joining in.  Dr. Burundi played the electric piano, which also had percussion, so it was quality entertainment.  Then it was time for dinner, for which I didn’t stay.  I’m still full from lunch.  I heard that it was utensil-less and pork, all parts.

For breakfast, we got one piece of toast, eggs (omelet or scrambled) and fruit, which was a banana and some very ripe watermelon.  Nescafe, tea and water are on offer all day and night, but there’s no ice (no refrigeration) and nothing else.  I’m already a bit sick of warm water, and you haven’t really experienced the need for coffee until you’ve settled for Nescafe with powdered cream…..it’s hard to find the resemblance to coffee in that mixture.  For lunch, it was spaghetti, Uganda style.  Some meat, sauce of tomato origin, over spaghetti, surprisingly good, but I’m still full.  And I’d probably pay $100 USD for a cold beer (or two).  It’s early days, but the Danes are game for finding some next weekend, but it won’t be in this area, perhaps Kihihi (40 km away).  

Eggs are served with most meals, and I love eggs, but the yolks are very, very pale.  The chickens are all free range and plentiful.  It seems that since they eat lots of grass, they don’t get anything to make the yolks yellow, they are pale—I think I’ve also heard that it’s a sign of iron deficiency in the chickens, now why would they be any different?  Overall, we probably eat better than 90% of Ugandans, and certainly higher than those in this area.  I'm not complaining,just discussing what there is to discuss.  Food is always important.  

I've made a list to begin discussing with Jane.  I wish I had a large chart pad to use as a brain storming device, but we'll make due.  I'm excited to get started.