Hey Mzungu!

This weekend we celebrated Luke's birthday and 4th of July up in the mountains. We went all out. There was an elaborate act taken to order a cake from Kampala and drive it all the way up to the mountains- which took a total of 3 days, 5 hours of it driving, and one night spent accidentally in a deep freezer, but in the end it was by far the best birthday cake one could ever wish for. We also had an amazing feast which included roasting a goat (we named him tin can tony), cooking matoke, cabbage, and potatoes (or as they call it here, irish). And let me tell you, Jaime, Shawna and I were so proud of ourselves, these potatoes were so delicious, tasted just like mashed potatoes from home! All of this was done cooking outside looking out onto the most beautiful view of the valley.

Our weekend in the mountains also included some day hikes to the Sipi Falls, and lets just say there was quite a bit of huffing and puffing going on since being at about 5,000ft. Meanwhile the native guides would practically be running up the side of the mountain. But as we were waiting around to start our hike our guide randomly says, "So you know that we do female and male circumcision here"- that took all of us by surprise. We soon found out that this is a common thing for the locals to talk about. Later that night Juma, our guide went on to tell us of the details of the ceramony/celebration and how he's having his done next december and would love it if we would attend his ceramony. After talking to two guys about this tradition, I would love to hear a female's perspective.


After my weekend in the mountains I have come to learn that their are two types of children here: those that are shy and don't want to talk to you, and those that give you the warmest greeting and come running down the road yelling "hellooo mazoongoo!! hello hello! How are you!!" Sometimes they will come up to you saying nothing but will stick out their hand hoping to meet you, and then go running off. For meeting you, a mazoongoo, will make their day.