Home?

Yesterday was one very long day of flights. I left Uganda at about 10:00 pm and arrived in Manhattan at about 10 pm...keep in mind there are 7 or 8 time changes in there too.

So, I have had a little bit of time to digest and reflect upon what happened. This post, much like my mind right now, will probably be pretty scatter shot...but I want to get some of this down on "paper" as it comes to me.

Our final day in Uganda was spent at M-Lisada orphanage. When we finally found the right dirt road (looked more like a back ally) we ended up a a painted gate. As we hopped out of the bus, a very little girl ran up and grabbed my hand...I knew right then that this was going to be an experience. When the bus was emptied, someone asked if we were ready. We answered yes, but in hindsight I don't really think anyone was truly ready. The gates opened, and what seemed like 100 kids came running out. They ran towards and "chose" us. Each of us in the group had 3-5 children (some had more) come grab us, introduce themselves, hold our hands, rub our arms, give us hugs, welcome us, put our arms around them, and led us into the orphanage. After touring the facility, we were led outside where all of the kids were waiting to put on a show for us. They had a brass band, acrobatics, and a team of traditional dancers. These were/are some of the most talented children I have ever met!

The orphanage has 80 children who live there and another 70 who show up during the day and leave at night. Of the 80 who live there, 65 are in school. The other 15 cannot afford the fees. Long story short, for three terms of primary school the cost is just shy of $500. For three terms of secondary school the cost is just shy of $700. If you want to help, let me know and I will help get you in touch.

Oh my gosh! Ironically, I was was writing this M-Lisada contacted me on facebook! That just made my day!

So, what are my reflections of the trip? There is a theory about culture shock. it is based on a "W-Curve."
http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/multiple_use/cultural_adjustment.php

I am currently deep in the second dip. I am finding everything a bit difficult...from using ice in my (Ugandan) tea, to sitting with the lights on. I think it will be quite a while before I truly adjust to being home...and, honestly, I don't think it is at all possible to return to the same state where I was before I left.

Ironically, I didn't really feel the culture shock when I was in Uganda. For the first time in my life, I truly felt like I "fit in." I have always had a twinge of uncomfortableness everywhere I have been (be it at home during family reunions, or in graduate school). When I was in Uganda, I felt the most "at ease" that I ever have. I truly feel that Uganda is where I "belong." And, I will do everything in my power to get back.

My mother (and my "adopted" mother), who I know were each very worried, seem to be at ease now. When I called mom after returning, her first question wasn't "if" I was going back, it was "when are you going back?" The answer? Hopefully in a year I will be back to begin conducting dissertation research.

Now I have to begin making a "video story" of the trip. I am utterly lost as to where to begin. This isn't because I don't have a story...it is because I don't know which story to tell. Do I tell the story of how so many "big" events happened in the world while i was there (volcano, earthquakes, etc) and we knew very little about them? That certainly demonstrates the "lack of connectedness." Do I tell the story of the old man who had never seen a picture of himself? Or, should it be the 8 year-old child who looked like she was 3? Or...should it be... Argh! I really thought this would be easier when i returned...boy was I wrong.

Undoubtedly, more will come later.