July 24, 2011

July 24, 2011

I know I have been gone a bit, but as I have learned…TIA (This Is Africa).  This phrase is becoming more and more applicable to me, as there are daily challenges here that are of no concern in the states.  And, because I have been gone for a week, this may be a very long entry, so consider yourself forewarned.  However, I will break it down by the day, and, hopefully, that will help.

Monday, July 18^th, 2011

First and foremost, Happy Birthday to my baby Feliz Cumpleanos Bale!  He turned seven on this day, and it was the first time I have been gone for his special day.  It was very difficult for me, and I made Wes give him a special treat (even though it wasn’t the birthday cake I usually bake for him – and, yes, I realize it IS a bit much, but he is my BABY!).  So, Happy Birthday sweet Cupe!  Your mummy loves you immensely!

Now, back to the story.  After I bragged in my last entry about the delicious dinner I had last Sunday night, I got officially initiated into Africa.  I had finished writing my blog about midnight and climbed into bed to have some much needed sleep.  I tossed and turned and tossed and turned, but a growing pain in my stomach kept me from sleeping.  I really didn’t think anything about it at this point, so when sleep finally came around 3:30am, I gladly accepted it.  However, when morning brought the dreaded day’s light, it shone on so much more than just the beautiful topography.  Oh, how I learned that AWA (Africa Wins Again)! 

The sickness is nothing like you expect and, at the same time, everything you expect.  Fever, nausea, horrific pains in your stomach, and, of course, that which I won’t write about.  The discomfort is…well, I am at a lack of words.  It simply is what it is.  Everyone coming to Africa knows it will happen; it is just a matter of WHEN it will happen.  And, in my naivety, I thought the process would somehow elude me a bit longer than two days.  I, as shown, was very wrong.  The problem with getting this mess on Monday was that I had a five hour drive to Mbarara, which I could not avoid.  We were to be picked up by a Millennium Villages driver at 10am, and at that point, I could barely make it ten minutes without an episode.  So, against everything I knew was correct, I had to take medicine to stop the problem.  And, if you don’t know, it is better for your body to allow nature to take its course and cleanse itself rather than to ingest something that will delay the process and potentially cause infection.  So, I knew it was bad, but I had no other choice.  I could not have made the drive otherwise.

When Charles (MVP’s driver) showed up at 11am with the truck, I was ready and grateful for the one hour traffic delay.  It had given me time to allow the medicine to work.   I still did not feel well, but at least I was able to put a half-hearted smile on my face, especially when I saw the truck emblazoned with the letters UN.  I know this may sound peculiar, but I have always wanted to be one of those people you see in a precarious situation riding along bravely in their UN cars.  I can happily report I can check that off my list; however, I always envisioned the precarious situation to be external.  Oh well.

The ride continued, and although my own battle persisted, I was thrilled to see the southern hemisphere for the first time.  A man working in the gift shop nearby came out to meet us and informed our group that only ten countries span the equator, and Africa is home to six of those countries. He encouraged us to have our cheesy tourist moment, and for a small fee, did the following water display, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I met a girl later that day who told me the display is simply a tourist ploy, as it was somehow impossible for the water to actually turn in those directions.  She gave some intellectual explanation of why it could not work and said the water buckets used at the site were rigged.  Now, I am sure I could do some simple research to find out about whether or not this is true; however, I was still very sick while I was watching this and relished my brief, cheesy tourist moment.  For those few brief minutes, it changed my own direction.  Therefore, I still believe.

I arrived in Mbarara tired and weak, as I refused to eat anything and drank as little as possible.  We checked into the Lakeview Hotel, and, I hate to admit this, I just wanted to go to sleep.  This was my first day in my new home, but no matter how hard my mind tried, my body did not feel well.  So, my meeting with one of my new colleagues, Dr. Immanuel, was lovely and hard all at the same time.  My mind enjoyed him and the visions he shared; however, my body rejected the enjoyment and reminded me of its illness.  I finally stomached a small bowl of pasta and some Sprite after the meeting concluded, but my bed was my savior, ending a day full of highlights and low downs.  Truly, it was the crossing of the north to the south.

I will have to stop there for tonight, as I am extremely tired, and I will finish this week’s stories tomorrow. 

July 25, 2011

I am posting this in separate installations, as my sister Megan emailed me this morning just wanting to know I am alright.  I am.  Please know I am safe and happy, learning and experiencing.