Well, hello from Uganda!

Since I've been here over three weeks now, I guess I better post something.  It's been amazing!  We have welcomed our son into our arms and loved every moment with him.  Some of you may be following us along on Facebook.

So, as our time here is getting closer to the end, I wanted to post a few things that I like about Uganda and some things I am looking forward to when we get home.

What I like about Uganda:
1. The Boda Boda Rides!  Riding on the back of a motorcycle, no seatbelt, no helmet, sometimes side-saddle, is a crazy experience... but I can't imagine traveling any other way!  Taking a boda ride to get somewhere is not only money saving, but efficient.  They are cheaper to ride, and they can weave in and out of traffic to get us places faster.  I still enjoy some car rides, but I am thankful for skilled boda drivers to get me where I need to go.

2. Fresh Pineapple!  Who would have thought that I would need to come all the way to Uganda to get the best pineapple I've tasted in my life!  Who needs Hawaii... I've got Uganda!  The pineapple is in season right now, and it is the sweetest juiciest pineapple you'll get.  I have fresh pineapple or pineapple juice for breakfast every morning.  They also sell pineapple in carts on the side of the road.  When you bite into a piece, they are so juicy, the juices run down your mouth.  The awesome bonus is that they are not as acidic as pineapple in the States, so you can eat a whole bunch and not get sores on your mouth!

3. The Countryside.  We've been able to get out of the city a couple of times and seen how beautiful Uganda is!  I love the green hills covered with trees, the fields of banana trees, sugar cane, or tea.  There are waterfalls and lakes and wildlife.  It truly is a beautiful country!

4. The Warm Greetings.  Every time I enter a shop I hear "You're Welcome!"  At first it makes me stop and think, "Should I have said 'Thank you' for something?  Why are they saying 'You're welcome'?"  But they are just saying, "You are welcome to come into my shop.  I want you here.  I welcome your business.  I like seeing you here, etc."  Great customer service!  They are so kind and friendly.  Not only that but every time we return to our guest house, someone says, "Welcome back!'  I love it!

5. Cheap Prices.  OK, I had to mention this because I like to shop and they have some great things a cheap prices here!  I can buy beautiful african crafts at a fraction of what I would pay for them in the States.  Eating out is less expensive too.

6. The Food.  I actually like the food we've had here so far.  I love the typical Ugandan meals of "posho" (which is big lumps of corn flour dough, sometimes mixed with cassava) and beans, plus their meat in a delicious peanut sauce, sweet potato, yams, and "matooke" (cooked mashed banana).  We've also had some of the best pizza here too, wood-fired Italian style pizza.  I have to just say the "Hawaiian" is amazing because of the fresh pineapple.  And the "chapati" bread that you can buy on the side of the road is so good!

What I am looking forward to when I get home:
1. Not Sleeping Under a Mosquito Net Anymore.  Yeah, it gets old to have to crawl in and out of each time you need to get out of bed (or take care of a baby).  I want to sleep not worrying about mosquitos all night.

2. Being Able to Drink the Tap Water.  And being able to brush my teeth with the tap water.  Buying bottled water gets expensive and old.  It's crazy to think that a lot of the world does not have clean drinking water!  We take it for granted that we can drink out of our faucets and not die of a horrible disease.

3. Easier Baby Care.  It's just not that easy to do some things while staying in a guest house.  We have to wash all our baby bottles by hand and then take them downstairs to sanitize them in the microwave.  This happens once or twice a day.  (It used to be more often before we went out and bought more bottles).  We have a shower instead of a tub in our room. It's not a big deal because our son loves his shower, but he doesn't get a bath.  Also not much counter space to prepare bottles, feed him baby food, etc.

4. Tolerance of Mixed Families.  I know this sounds strange, but I am looking forward to Americans who think it is OK for us to be a white couple with a black baby. Not everyone in America thinks this way, but it is becoming more OK.  Surprisingly we have run into several Ugandans who just don't understand the concept of adoption.  They have lots of questions, and lots of opinions.  "You can't be that baby's mother!" "Where did you get him?" and several head shakes and finger wags.  Truly, I understand where they are coming from.  It is a new concept to them.  And most of what they hear about is people in this country who kidnap babies to use in human sacrifices and rituals!  Some people believe that if you sacrifice a human baby at your construction site than your business will have good luck.  So babies are kidnapped and murdered!  Plus witch doctors have all sorts of things they do with babies.  It is sad, and sickening, and scary.  So, I figure some of these people think we may be doing that very thing!  It's hard for me to let them think things like that, but I try to show them that I love my son very much.  I would never do anything to harm him.  But don't misunderstand and think this is happening everywhere we go.  We do get smiles from people and well wishes.  But we also get a LOT of double takes (especially if we are out walking along the road).  I know the States will bring their own challenges with people's opinions of us, but as least they won't assume we are going to sacrifice this baby!

5. Routine.  I am just looking forward to getting into a routine for caring for my son.  Our days here are so varied.  Sometimes we have to get up early, sometimes we have not much to do during the day.  It's hard to establish a routine.  Once home, we'll get a chance to set up how we are going to do things and put E down for naps at all the appropriate times.  (I am not looking forward to Mark going back to work, however.  I love having him around!)

There may be more I'll add to the list later, but that's what I got for now!