My first days in Nyakagyezi!
I have to say, being here is unreal. I’ve been planning this trip for a little less than two years now and I can’t believe I’m actually sitting here in Southwestern Uganda, here at Nyaka. The school looks wonderful, and the people here have been so welcoming. The bus ride here was definitely an interesting experience. We got on the bus around 6:00 am and arrived only around 2:30pm. Eight and half hours is more than enough!
The children only start school on Monday, February 1st, so we’ve been spending our days reading, eating, listening and watching, and of course looking at the beautiful views! Right outside our door you can see green rolling hills with little houses perched on top. As we drove through the towns close to Nyaka today people stared at us from every direction. We are the most recently arrived ‘mzungus’ (white people) and I think they find us interesting! I can’t blame them though!
Since I am here on sort of a mission to observe as much as I can about the food I’ve been considering everything I’m eating and seeing. Stories I have heard of African food, I must say, have not been completely endearing, so I was a little apprehensive when I got to Nyaka. The truth is I have absolutely no idea what people are talking about. While I haven’t been here long, what I’ve eaten so far has been fantastic, and we’ve had a great variety. It’s true the matooke, or plaintain mash, took a little getting used to, but with generous portions of a split pea sauce poured over it’s delicious! We’ve had little eggplants, papaya, pineapple, irish potatoes, plenty of avocado, rice and more. I can only say I am looking forward to more tasty meals!!!
We are, of course, being very well taken care of, so I’m not sure if what we are eating is typical. The woman who has helped us the most so far is Faiida, and her oldest daughter Jackie is at the house with us. Everyone has been very kind. I’m looking forward to Monday when school starts!
I have so much to write about, but I will leave it at that for now!
