Update from 5 days ago

Some may have already seen this update:

I have made it Africa and have been here for a little less than a week. Everything is going well and I am beginning to settle in life in Uganda.

I arrived in Philly and went through staging, which at times seemed a bit boring, but I actually found it fairly helpful to get an introduction to the Peace Corps and how I will have to adjust in order to be successful. I was happy that they did not send me straight to Africa. There, I met the other volunteers, who are all as I expected very interesting. We are a young group of 21 volunteers with 1 married couple and the oldest volunteer being 29 (I happen to be the youngest volunteer in the group). Most in our group our actually from the midwest (minnesota, michigan, nebraska, oklahoma) which in itself is interesting.

Well, onto the more interesting stuff. We arrived in Uganda very early thursday morning after loooooong yet smooth flights, almost 22 hrs of flying. We immediately went to something called a Banana Village. Banana village was sort of like summer camp, with a dining hall and cabin like things where we slept Here we could begin to get acclimated to our very different surroundings. This includes sparse electricity, sleeping with mosquito nets, eating different food (mostly potato and banana combinations) and dressing appropriately. Women, essentially have to be dressed in long skirts and covered t-shirts at all times. There is no written rule about this, but our goal is to integrate into Ugandan society and the first and easiest way to do that is through dress.

Banana village was enjoyable where we got to know the other volunteers fairly well and get more introductions into the Peace Corps and the country staff that we will be working with. Up until this point, I have been incredibly impressed with the organization and the training that we have gotten this far in addition to the overwhelmingly qualified staff that we have been working with. The training we get has really touched on many essentials that are neccesary for fully understanding Ugandan culture. The staff is so welcoming and genuinely interested in our success, it is truly unbelievable. Moreover, some have been working with Peace Corps volunteers for as long as 20 years, so they really know the issues that we face and what and how we need to be taught.
\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>After banana village we made our way to Luweero, which will be our home for the next 2.5 months. We have split up into 4 language groups which indicate which area of the country we will be moving to. I am learning Runyankore, which means I will be in the southwestern part of Uganda. We also have moved in with our host families! My family consists of mostly just my host mom and dad (many of the other volunteers have many children and extended family living in their house). My host parents have 5 children, but all are over the age of 16 so they are at boarding school or are working. In a sense, they are your typical empy nesters. One host sister was there when I arrived but left the next day to go back to school and I am told that 2 more host siblings will be coming on friday. I am curious to see how this will change the dynamic of the family. \n\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>My host parents are extremely nice and welcoming. I am their fourth volunteer that they have hosted so sometimes it seems that they know more about my training than I do! They seem to be able to anticipate the things I will find difficult (pit latrine, bucket baths, getting directions) and are so willing to help me. Also, they speak English! It certainly isn't their first langauge, but they are quite good which has made my experience that much easier. My host father is an Entomologist with the Ugandan government, so I assume he has to know English for his work. The family also speaks Runyankore, the language I am learning, so hopefully as I learn more of the language we will begin to converse in Runyankore.\n\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>There is so much more tell, but this email is already getting long and I do not have much more time at this internet cafe. Overall, Africa and the Peace Corps has already proved to be extremely interesting and exciting. \n\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>I hope all is well with everyone else. Update me the happenings in America.\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\> \u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>Yerraba (goodbye),\u003c/div\>\n\u003cdiv\>Julie\u003c/div\>",1]
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After banana village we made our way to Luweero, which will be our home for the next 2.5 months. We have split up into 4 language groups which indicate which area of the country we will be moving to. I am learning Runyankore, which means I will be in the southwestern part of Uganda. We also have moved in with our host families! My family consists of mostly just my host mom and dad (many of the other volunteers have many children and extended family living in their house). My host parents have 5 children, but all are over the age of 16 so they are at boarding school or are working. In a sense, they are your typical empy nesters. One host sister was there when I arrived but left the next day to go back to school and I am told that 2 more host siblings will be coming on friday. I am curious to see how this will change the dynamic of the family.

My host parents are extremely nice and welcoming. I am their fourth volunteer that they have hosted so sometimes it seems that they know more about my training than I do! They seem to be able to anticipate the things I will find difficult (pit latrine, bucket baths, getting directions) and are so willing to help me. Also, they speak English! It certainly isn't their first langauge, but they are quite good which has made my experience that much easier. My host father is an Entomologist with the Ugandan government, so I assume he has to know English for his work. The family also speaks Runyankore, the language I am learning, so hopefully as I learn more of the language we will begin to converse in Runyankore.

There is so much more tell, but this email is already getting long and I do not have much more time at this internet cafe. Overall, Africa and the Peace Corps has already proved to be extremely interesting and exciting.

I hope all is well with everyone else. Update me the happenings in America.