I'm still figuring out how to format all the text and how to insert pictures. While I'm busy tinkering with all of the technical stuff, I will also be learning so much in the coming months. I want to learn all about the history and culture of Uganda and its people. I am trying to read and learn as much as I can before I leave the US in order to prepare myself as much as I am able. I know I will experience a sharp wave of culture shock upon arrival and during the months I spend in Africa, and my hope is to educate myself to make the transition a bit more fluid.
It's still hard for me to believe in a few months I'll be in Africa. AFRICA. Who would've thought? It's really weird for me to think about all of the differences between where I'll be and where I am now. It's so easy for me to take for granted so many things I now enjoy and have come to expect. Here at home I know that if I turn on the faucet I can count on clean water that won't make me sick (or kill me). In Uganda, I won't be able to depend on the safety of regular tap or or other sources of fresh water; not even to brush my teeth. I'll have to boil it myself, treat it with iodine, or find somewhere to purchase sealed bottled water for every little thing that requires the use of water. I'll have to be much more aware of how I use water, and how much of it I use. Here in the US we have the FDA, USDA, and other health organizations to monitor and regulate the things we consume. It's very different in Uganda, and as a foreigner, I am much more susceptible to disease from food than native Ugandans who have built up tolerance to certain types of parasites over generations. I won't have a regular cell phone in Uganda, and I probably will not be able to contact my family and friends very often. (which is the main reason I've created this blog!) Also, frequent power outages will make many electronic communications unreliable and kept to a minimum.
One of the things I am most scared about is getting sick while I'm abroad. There are so many diseases in the world that I don't even think about as a citizen of the US. Luckily, however, many of them are preventable. Today I did a bit of research on the vaccinations I will need to have before I leave. So far, I am expecting to receive the hepatitis A (2), yellow fever, H1N1, typhoid, and rabies shots (3). Rabies, I know, isn't that crazy? I also need to get anti-malaria medication and probably a couple of other items for "preventative care."
It's kind of a strange feeling for me, though, because I'm starting to think about how these things relate to bigger questions about human rights for all people around the globe. I'm getting a yellow fever shot so I won't die of yellow fever, but what about the people currently dying of yellow fever who can't afford shots or have no access to medical care? I was born in a wealthy country into a family that can afford and has access to these things, but does that mean I have more of a right to them than someone, anyone, else? I wonder the same thing about clean water. Water is water; it's fluid and viscous and owned by no one person or group. So why do some people have the right to safe water and others do not? These are the things I want to explore when I am in Uganda.
I have a doctor's appointment next week to have a physical examination and get cleared to go to Africa. I applied for my passport last week. I printed out my reading and packing and preparation lists today. It's all becoming more real to me, but I'm still getting there. It's hard to get my hopes up too much because there is so much uncertainty in that part of the world right now. I'm scared. I'm nervous. I'm unsure. I'm going to miss my ten minute showers of constant, flowing (clean) water, my wireless internet, my closet of clothes, my home. I'll miss my parents and my brothers and my sister. I'll miss my friends, and I'll miss my dog.
I want to learn how to live without all of the material nonsense, the distractions. I want to learn how to take care of myself in a place I don't know with people I've just met. I want to wonder about things that are worth wondering about, and love people who are worth loving. I want to show myself I can do it and I'm stronger than I think. Because I know that I can and I know that I am. It's going to be an interesting experience. I can't wait to make new friends and try new things. However, I know that sometimes it won't be fun. There'll be times when I'll wish I just stayed home, stayed in my safe little dorm room in PE. But I also know that I will grow, learn, transform, and develop immensely as a result of everything.
Bring it on.
til next time.
