First week complete

This first week has been amazing! The first night I got back to the seminary around 11. The seminary is located in Ggaba, which is one of the 7 hills Kampala is built on. I unpacked and spent my first night under mosquito netting, which was not as horrible as I had imagined.
The next morning I got up around 9, had a breakfast of toast and coffee and we set off to see Kampala. Father Michael drove all around the city showing me different kinds of business, the entire time narrowly avoiding cars, people, bikes and boda-bodas. How he had a difficult time getting a license in America, I will never know, because it takes a pro to make it through these streets.
I went into exchange my money while Father waited in the car. When I walked in, there were a few other people in the tiny store front with bars and glass coming from the ceiling to the counter top. As I squeezed past the chairs, a guard with a gun went and waited directly outside. While exchanging the money, the worker lady asked me if I was lost. At that point I realized just how much I was going to stick out this entire trip. When I was done exchanging, I went back to the car, and the man with the gun went back into the building.
The next day was Saturday, and I am pretty sure I slept for 19 hours of that day, which was good because it prepared me for Sunday...
Sunday June 3rd was martyrs day. I was told I would go the the celebration in a big truck called a Lori (not sure the spelling). This HUGE truck had gates that went up to make walls in the bed, and the cab could have fit a cow comfortably. Sister Florence (who I met that very morning at 6:30) and I sat up front with out driver Mr. John. I told Sister she could not lose me because I did not have a phone or know anyone else we were with. This was her first time going to the event. She was originally from Nigeria, but was now living and studying in Kenya.
We parked in a field sound 7:00 and were told to meet back at 3:00. Sister walked one way, the others went another. I followed Sister very closely. We went on a search for a place to "relieve ourselves", which later I find out is called a "short call". Well, I must say, this was the first time I have paid to take a pee in a hole. 100 shillings. As I was peeing I thanked God I had packed some tissues and I did not have to go number 2.
Onward we walked to the crowed of 1.5 million people. As we got to the line to get in, Sister just kept walking as if the line was not there. We got to the front and some man started shouting "let the Sister through!" I grabbed Sister's arm with what could have been a death grip and squeezed through the most jam packed crowd I have ever seen. We get in and look for a place to sit. Most people are on the grass. Sister is in a white habit, so the grass will not suit her well. We try to go to the VIP section as she sweet talks, no luck. We try to sit with the other nuns, no chairs. Finally, we sit in a covered section labeled "priests"....
Mass started around 8. At 1:45 I look at Sisters watch and realize mass is just ending. THEN speakers get up to talk. We left about 2:15 to see the basilica. We walk through, and head back to the truck. Oh yes, why would either of us have any clue which way to go to get back? That would be too easy. We walked around for about 20 minutes through the crowds lost. Every couple of steps I would hear "munzungu!" and see people pointing.
We got back to the truck and headed home. When we returned Father Michael asked what I thought. I commented on a few things and mentioned the crowed. He said, "Oh yes. That is why I do not go. I do not like crowds."
Monday started my first day of school and many excited children pointing/laughing/smiling/excitedly shouting "MUNZUNGU!" For the most part I am in P6 which has kids from 11-15, and sometimes in P7. P6 has 86 kids in room smaller than American classrooms. The kids are pretty well behaved and understand my accent most of the time. It feels weird to be the one with an accent.
Thursday Father Albert took me to the lake. We walked through the slums to get there. It was heart breaking to see how some must live. While on the walk there were chickens constantly running in front of us. Since that is not the norm for me I would get excited or laugh. Then, to my excitement, there was a purple chicken. I grabbed Father's hand and said, "LOOK!!!" Without batting an eye Father says, "You must really like chickens...?" We keep walking, I continue to take in the sights. We get to the lake. There is a bar/concert venue that is gated off with a guard. Father convinces him to let us in since I have never seen the lake. We walk around, I take some pictures. I am quickly told by a man who came running that pictures are not allowed. Oh well, had already gotten the ones I wanted :). We continue on our walk through the market. Most of the stuff being sold is imported goods. I did by a Uganda flag for 2000 shillings. Father told me I was lucky to find one that had the correct colors.
The food here has been pretty good. Meals usually have matoke (mushed cooked bananas), potato of some sort, beans and/or peas, and greens. Sometimes there is rice or ugali made with flour. At lunch there is peanut paste that I love! It kind of tastes like peanut butter, but looks like runny grey refried beans. At dinner there is always some sort or meat or fish. There is always fruit for after the meal. Sometimes there are avocados, and they are huge and amazing.
Thursday I discovered wireless in the compound, so I have been enjoying that. It will be shut off shortly since the seminary students are on holiday.
New phrases I have enjoyed:
Short go - restroom
Eh? - what?
Ehh!? - right?
Ehhhhhh! - what were you thinking!?
Eh - agreeing
Eh! - is that so?!
Spoiled the air - someone farted