Thurs 4th
Went on a TV report with Jonathan who very very nearly fell down a manhole backwards.
Got caught in rain on boda boda. Large 4x4 drove past and covered me in dirty water.
Accidentally ate some ants that had crawled up the hollow stick of my lollipop. Eew.
Fri 5th
Had a dream last night that mum was still alive and it had all been a horrible prank. Woke up and felt sad.
John’s mum, ‘maama’, came to stay. John says my Luganda is better than her English. Mmm awkward.
Watched my first ever live basketball game with Beki, Kelsey, Craig and Rachel. Two blue teams playing. The blue team won.
Went to casino to see what it was like. Eastern European Mzungus dancing. Didn’t understand anything that was going on. Left.
Danced night away at Boda Boda club with Beki. Could have been in London. Great night.
Sat 6th
Woke up at 12pm in Beki’s flat.
Had an argument in Ntinda Shopping Centre with the toilet attendant who asked me to pay for using it but wouldn’t tell me how much he wanted. Kept asking him but eventually told him if he wasn’t going to tell me, I wasn’t going to pay and walked away. Is there some toilet etiquette here that I don’t know?
Went for dinner at ‘Spur’, a lovely American style diner with Beki and the Americans.
Made our way to ‘Alleygators’, the bowling alley slash karaoke bar slash club.
In Alleygators a guy was freestyling on the karaoke to 50Cent’s ‘In Da Club’. Extract: ‘When I say OJ you say OJ’. Who or what is OJ? Orange Juice??
Scored a grand total of 5 singing 'Hit me baby one more time' with the girls.
Scored a grand total of 5 singing 'Hit me baby one more time' with the girls.
Went to Iguanas club. Was asked if I was over 18. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Sun 7th
Woke up late.
John got the most unlikely ringtone ever – Museveni’s rap.
Went with Americans to their friend Jeff’s gospel concert.
5pm. Arrived at the church at specified time only to be told we were late. Walked in – no people.
6.30pm. Finally the MC came out. Wished he hadn’t. Needed a Ugandan English to actual English translator.
5pm. Arrived at the church at specified time only to be told we were late. Walked in – no people.
6.30pm. Finally the MC came out. Wished he hadn’t. Needed a Ugandan English to actual English translator.
7pm. The place filled up a bit and I was picked to pray for the event. Quite difficult when you don’t really know what event you are at. Did it anyway.
My name is such a problem. Think I might change it. Any suggestions?
MC: ‘What is your name?’
Me: ‘Fran’
MC: Blank stare ‘Huh?’
Me: ‘Fran – Frances’
MC: ‘Oh, does that mean you can speak French then?’
Me: ‘Yes, that totally follows.’
(Note: this conversation mirrors most conversations involving my name.)
Me to Rachel: ‘I’m so over this guy.’
Rachel: ‘I was over him yesterday.’
7.30pm. Various different performers came on stage and sang.
8pm. Jeff actually appeared. Very good. Turns out it was the launch event for his first album. Who knew?!
8pm. Jeff actually appeared. Very good. Turns out it was the launch event for his first album. Who knew?!
Mon 8th
Watched Jonathan having a debate about politics on UBC. Very proud.
Made and put up a sign outside John’s house telling people if they dump rubbish they will be fined 100,000 shillings by the local council i.e. John.
John told me that many people who have a phone here have no idea what it can do because they can’t actually recognise letters or numbers. So perhaps a friend will have shown them that the green key means answer and the red key means hang up and, for example, press the third key from the left and you’re calling Bob. I may seem stupid but this is a revelation to me.
‘Ali’, the sweetest guy at Kabira Country Club gave me 2,000 shillings from the till because I didn’t have enough money to get back home.
Tues 9th
John and I had another of our chats, this time about training versus culture. Apparently the custom here in hotels and restaurants is to leave the customer for approximately an hour before the waiter comes to take an order. To attend the table quickly is very rude. This explains a lot.
Cleared up all rubbish from rubbish dump that has appeared outside John’s house. Caused much hilarity amongst passing Ugandans. Had small audience at one point. Didn’t think it was that funny.
Spent most of afternoon doing a PowerPoint presentation about the UK for the children at Joy Kim’s place. Must go back one Saturday.
Wed 10th
Woke up with massive spot in between my eyebrows. Perfect.
Later in the day, watching the news, Ephraim asked me if I liked spots. Got very offended and said ‘no not really’. Sophie and I very confused until it turned out he meant ‘sports’! Unfortunate coincidence.
Took 2,000 shillings back to Ali. Asked for my number. Actually didn’t mind giving it to him.
Still concerned about the people who can’t read. Talking to John about what I can do about it, as reading and writing is my passion. He says I can do something but doesn’t know exactly what. I suggested I could advertise lessons for learning to read but then we realised they wouldn’t be able to read the advert...
Went to another basketball game. Couldn't have chosen a worse place to sit for 2 main reasons:
a. The woman sitting behind me screamed 'deefence!' in my right ear for pretty much the entire game and she didn't lose her voice.
b. Halfway into the game the ball came flying towards Rachel and me and smacked us both in the face.
Good game though.
Went to another basketball game. Couldn't have chosen a worse place to sit for 2 main reasons:
a. The woman sitting behind me screamed 'deefence!' in my right ear for pretty much the entire game and she didn't lose her voice.
b. Halfway into the game the ball came flying towards Rachel and me and smacked us both in the face.
Good game though.
My cousin Rachel is coming in a week and one day! Woohoo!
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