The Value of Winging It

I was always someone who craved a plan. Growing up, my mind was constantly determining where I was supposed to be in the next few hours, days, and often even months or years. I did my best to plan ahead because I assumed I could get the most done in an allotted time. Because of this, my focus was usually not on what was happening in the moment, but where I was going and where I should be. Over the past months I have tried my best to break myself of this habit. Yes, you still have to time manage sometimes, especially when you are busy, but I have learned that often no plan is the best plan. There is a real value in "winging it."

This weekend I was able to get out of Kampala a little and visited Jinja, a smaller town about 60 km west. I went on Saturday morning with two of my roommates and some of the Marines working at the embassy. Our only plan was that we were going to go ride ATV's, and one of my roommates (Ben) and I intended to stay. He and I didn't really know what we were going to do or where we would stay, and this may have been one of the best decisions we made all weekend. 

After we rode ATVs (which was amazing by the way) we got dropped off my the Marines on the edge of town. Our driver pointed us toward Jinja and we just started walking. About 2 km later we found a restaurant and were able to take out a map and gain our bearings. At that point, we met up with a girl that knew his cousin who is working in an NGO in Jinja. Without much thought I realized we were just walking, not knowing where we would be in 30 minutes, and frankly not caring. Our lack of accord for any predetermined destination eventually led us to a hotel overlooking the Nile River. At that moment, sitting in the grass overlooking the start one of the largest rivers in the world, I was completely present. There was no need to look at my watch, "the time is now.” There was no need to speak, much more could be conveyed by silence. It was in this moment I realized that often the best plan is no plan. The best moments are those that find you, not the ones you actively seek. 

The night continued to be supersede any plans we could have made. We went back to Ben's cousins NGO, The Street Child Project, which is a home for street children that have no safe home to return to. To learn more, check out http://www.thestreetchildproject.org/ . After joining them for dinner, we felt it was time to move on and one of volunteers recommended a hostel down the road, so we set off with directions and 20 minutes later finally arrived at "Explorers Backpackers Guesthouse." After checking in, we continued out into a few local bars where we were able to meet many fascinating people from all around the world both living in, working in, and vacationing in Jinja. 

The next morning, we assumed we would just get a taxi back to Kampala, but we stopped back by the orphanage and one of the founders told us that she was leaving to go to the airport in Entebee, which would mean she would go directly by our house. Without thinking, we jumped in the van and only two hours later, we made it safely home. 

I don't think I could have asked for a better weekend. I could have made an "itinerary," but with that comes expectations. You start to look at your watch and become more conscious of where you are going then where you are. Whenever you can, wing it. As long as you stay open and positive, things will work out, just trust your gut and enjoy your surroundings. You don't have to be on some grand adventure or half way across the world to do this, you may well find adventures in your own town or city. It is up to you what you make of your time and my suggestion is, just be positive and “go with the flow.”

World Refugee Day 2013- Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement

Last Thursday I was lucky enough to spend World Refugee Day at Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement. This camp has become the home to thousands (I believe around 30,000 if I remember correctly) of Congolese freeing violence in North Kivu.

This was such and amazing day and a fantastic experience. I will finally be beginning my work in the Refugee Office and could not have thought of a better way to kick off my experience. Here are some of the pictures I was able to take as we toured the camp and its facilities.

This little guy held my hand during the some speeches. 

 Here is a little video I put together <3

Home not so far away from home

Going to a new place is always a strange feeling. Everything looks new, all/most of the faces are new, and there is an indistinguishable feeling of unfamiliarity that runs through your mind and body. I remember when I left for college I felt this way, and I especially felt this way coming to Uganda. I have never “lived abroad” before, nor have I even left North America. This place was so different from anything I had ever experienced before. The people, the landscape, nothing could compare to the small rural towns in which I have spent the last 22 years. Regardless of the intensity of unfamiliarity, the day comes when you stop feeling like a “guest.” Faces stop looking like strangers and buildings stop becoming images and gain some type of spatial quality in your life. Only three weeks after my arrival, Uganda is rapidly gaining familiarity; it is starting to feel like a little like home.

At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about this, how have I so quickly acclimated to someplace that is incomparable to anyplace I have ever been, let alone lived? No, I still don’t understand how I am supposed to grocery shop and I don’t know that I could ever get used to the rough 1+ drives to work, but right now Kampala is exactly where I feel like I am supposed to be.

I remember before I left speaking to others about how I was relatively unconcerned with leaving. I didn’t anticipate culture shock nor a huge adjustment. That is not to say I won’t miss my family and friends, and maybe this is because my stay has a deadline, but I still feel that it should not have been this easy… I am halfway around the “world,” but I feel incredibly close to home. Then I realized, I am.

I believe we give space too much credit sometimes. We often wonder “how can we ever understand ‘them’” “they are so different than us” and so we go on with our days, forgetting the connections we have with each other. And I think the obvious connection is through technology and its ability to bring us together, but I am starting to believe it is much more than that. Yes, I am in the middle of Africa. Yes, I sometimes am presented with language barriers and drastically different habits that guide my daily interactions. But so what? It doesn’t matter if I am in Ohio of Kampala, each day people around me wake up and try to make their life a little better. We all actively pursue happiness and in the end, the greater good for all. We all share that, every one of us.  Generally, we all have a relatively similar moral compass that guides our relationships and makes us human. Okay, some may be a little off track, thinking guns and ethnic cleansing are the best ways to shape the world, but don’t forget what a small percent of the population this is.

So why am I not homesick? Why don’t I feel any culture shock? Because there is not all that much to be “shocked” about. Yea we are all different, and that is what makes the world so incredible. Our lives and stories will all take different paths, but at the end of the day we are all connected. Regardless of the miles, when you realizes oceans and land masses mean nothing as long as you are with other fantastic people, anyplace can feel like home. 

A Zen Smile

People smile for many different reasons. Sometimes you smile because something good happens. Some smiles are to cover up awkwardness, or even sadness. Sometimes you smile when you get a nice surprise or maybe when you get to see someone you have been missing. I believe that people very rarely smile out of pure happiness. Not the kind of happiness that you get when you buy a new outfit or eat win a prize, but the kind of happiness that is infectious and takes over ever sense in your body.

 I have smiled for many different reasons, but along with many of you, there are few times I can remember what I call...a Zen smile. A zen smile (I will claim that I coined this term, though I'm sure in the thousands of years of Buddhism it has been used before) is when you smile for no reason and, no matter what unpleasant things may be going on in your life, you simply can't stop. You can feel your endorphin flowing and your brain is being constantly blasted with waves of serotonin. When you have a zen smile, you may not have reached enlightenment, but you are most certainly on your way. 

Well, I may have a zen smile stuck on my face. This trip has already been the most amazing experience of my life. I love being in Kampala and I love the people I am surrounded with every day. Work is sometimes a little stressful, but I don't know if a second has gone by this week I haven't enjoyed what I am doing. I attribute this partially to the fact I have wanted to do something like this (study abroad, work in a federal office) for so long, but I can't help but think the people of Uganda are what is making this truly possible. 

Last night at I attended a party/gathering/callitwhatyouwill hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce. The primary purpose of the event was to say goodbye to one State employee who will be leaving and welcome one who just arrived. This individual works with AmCham Uganda, but this isn't the purpose of my story. As the employee who is leaving was making her "thank you" speech, she introduced a guest she had brought. It was a young Ugandan boy who called himself "Ambassador Fred." He was probably about 10, she (the State employee) had met him one day when she was stuck in traffic. He was selling CDs that he had made to raise money for the orphanage that he lived in. The money was going to help pay for over 40 children school fees. This young boy was full of so much spirit and, as the true guest of honor, sang and danced to one of the songs on his CD with a young girl that also lived at the orphanage. I wish I could show you all! (also, if you would like to buy a CD, I am sure I can find out more details). This young boy was happier than 75% of the people I meet on a daily basis and has probably one through more hardship than any of us can even image.  I am sure that it is one filled with oppression and violence. 

Ambassador Fred had a zen smile and it was contagious. Like a virus it spread to everyone at that event. Needless to say, he sold a lot of CDs last night. Today, I am sick in the best way possible: suffering from the symptoms of Ambassador Fred's happiness which is accentuated by every other young child like him that I pass on my way to work everyday...walking 2 miles to school just to sit in a one room mud hut with 40+ other children. Sitting in a hot room with and empty belly just to learn English and math so they may have a better life than their parents. Their lives are hard, there is no doubt, but each one of them has a smile on their face each morning. 

Wherever you go, whatever you do, Ambassador Freds will be there to brighten up your day and show you how amazing life is, past the hard times. It is up to each one of you to remember that your new outfit or a bonus from work does not equal happiness. I doubt Ambassador Fred has ever had either one of these things, but he lives every day with a zen smile. 

Also, this view didn't hurt my zen smile. 

The Real Kampala

What a great and relaxing long weekend! Unlike all of you in the states, we were off work today "Martyrs Day." Jealous?

Saturday was awesome. My roommate and myself were able to go into the city and test out a Lebanese restaurant Pardis and a couple different malls around Kampala. We went in with a USAID worker who lives in the same neighborhood.

This was all awesome, but it didn't me too long to realize that what we were seeing wasn't the "Real Kampala" so today, in a pursuit to finally get internet in our house, we ventured into the city by taxi and were finally able to see how the city beyond our western bubble.

It is was amazing and overwhelming at the same time. The best comparison I found was to throw the atmospheres of china town, a flea market, and a farmers market, all in one spot and intensify it by about 10. There was so many people and, through it was slightly overwhelming at first, it is the only way to get to know a place. I wish I could take everyone reading this to see what I did today...it was one of the most cultural experiences of my life.

I intend to spend more time like today venturing into the markets, often being the only "muzungu" in sight. I am very thankful for my roommate because without her I would have had no clue what to do, but overall it was a great success. Next time I hope to take some pictures and post them for others to see.

A place is what you make it and the good is what you choose to see. I see the good as hard working Uganda's trying to make a buck selling whatever they can grow or make in the local market. Yes, having supermarkets is nice at first, but that isn't the only way..and we have no right to say it is the best way. Wherever you go, whatever you do, mingle with the locals. Don't be restricted to a western tourist bubble, you can find them anywhere. I believe the only true way to experience a country is through devoted cultural immersion in any capacity possible. Talk with them. Eat with them. Learn from them. Become where you are.

Just another day :)

Well...I am finally able to post a blog as I am writing it. This is a nice change.

One more amazing day in Kampala. I was able to get settled into my temporary office and our house is becoming a little more like a home.

We only worked until 12:30 today, so I was able to have a few small adventures. One other embassy worker, Chelsie, lives right beside the intern house so I spent the afternoon hanging out with her and her two boys. She has opened her doors (and her pool) to us for the summer, which was fantastic! I am actually over here now and we just had dinner and she has allowed us to use her wifi until we are able to get a router or something installed. Her home is beautiful and looks out over Lake Victoria. Until I came here today, I had no clue we were only about half a mile from the lake.

I also got the chance to go to the store today which is great to have just a mile down the road. It is only a 15 ish minute walk from our house. It has most of the essentials, however I am pretty sure we will we will have someone to help do our produce shopping for us since it wont be very easy for us to go during the week (and we aren't experienced in purchasing the produce and negotiating prices).

I am starting to feel so comfortable already and can't believe that it has only been 48 hours since I have been here. I think we will be going into the city tomorrow and I can't wait! AND ITS A LONG WEEKEND WHICH IS AMAZING!!!! I can't wait to take the chance to explore!

Day 1- Is this real?

Written 5/30 

What a whirlwind of a day. I think last night’s sleep was the most rejuvenating 6 hours of my life. It probably doesn't hurt that I woke up to a beautiful sunset creeping into the Kampala sky. I have posted pictures below.

I am slowly getting settled into my house. As I mentioned, it is currently just one other intern and myself, though I was told today there will be 5 of us total. The house is beautiful. I will eventually post some pictures, but it wasn’t until after dark when I got home tonight. It is 2 ½ levels and 5 bedrooms (though one is huge and one is small, I am assuming 2 people will share the large one). We also have a guard out from of our house at all times. It isn’t that I would feel unsecure if he wasn’t there, but the guard does make it feel very safe.

I had a private driver pick me up today to take me to the embassy. It was the same driver who picked me up last night. Later I will take a shuttle that many of us in the Lubowa district (the neighborhood I am staying in) will use.

My first two weeks at the State Department will be working with the Management Office heading up the fundraising for a July 4^th event. I will get started on Tuesday (Monday is a holiday) and am so excited. Most of my job will consist of going to various potential donors with the hope they will match or expand their contribution to the event from previous years.  Most of the day today was just down time. I am temporarily moved into my boss office (who is currently out of the country) and will relocate when he comes back and I move from the Management Office to the Refugee Unit.

Until about 2, I felt like I had don’t nothing. I was able to set up my State email account and check my personal email from the embassy’s library computers, but that was about it. Because I didn’t have access to the wifi there however, I wasn’t able to post my previous blog or this one until ..well…whenever you are seeing it. The embassy was beautiful, but I wouldn’t call it the best start to a work day. I felt pretty out of place and was unsure what I was supposed to be doing. After 2, that all changed.

At 2, there was a run through of the awards event for July 4^th. Before this started, I was able to speak with many different individuals in the embassy, all of which were fantastic. After the run through, there were food and drinks served and I was able to continue to mingle with everyone. To say I met 50 people today would be a conservative estimate. Now, it’s just trying to remember names. Everyone was so welcoming I didn’t know what to do. I barely looked at someone without them introducing themselves. I was also able to speak with Ambassador Delisi, who is awesome.

Later in the evening there was another event at the ambassador’s residence for indiviual’s who will be relocated from the post in the next few months. This event was catered and the Ambassadors residence is beautiful. I was even able to meet his niece who is volunteering in Kampala for the summer and staying at the ambassador’s home. She also allowed me to use her phone, which was great because it has been pretty difficult to contact home the past days. This should all be much better however once we are “wired.” At this event, I was able to meet even more of my colleagues who are already helping make plans for DOS Ugandan travels and weekend adventures with their families! One the officers even lives across the street from where I am staying and has offered to be our “mom” for the summer and will help us get adjusted to life in Lubowa and Kampala.

Also..the ambassador also took the time to recognize my arrival to the entire post (which is awesome), at which point I was coerced into trying Nsenene i.e. fried grasshopper. It was actually not that bad, but I wouldn’t say it’s my meal choice of the future. I am glad however I could take one little step closer to culture immersion.

I feel like I am blabbing on about my day, which is not the essence of this post. Everything is just so new and I feel so overwhelmed. My final takeaway from today is, however, that the people of Kampala are fantastic and along with FSO’s at Unit Kampala. Every individual I met with at the embassy, especially Ugandans, spoke so kindly and friendly. They were all so fantastic I cannot explain. I am trying to absorb this “state department life” to which I have been subjected. Could this be my future? It all seems so surreal and I feel that they have so much faith in my future efforts. This looks like it may just be the most amazing summer of my life…

View from my balcony