Learning to Listen

Hello from Uganda!

I have safely arrived at the Ugandan University. I guess I kind of feel like I am not completely here yet. But the part of me that is here, loves it.

I am already kind of adjusting to being a minority which means being called muzungu (which is white person in Swahili) and stared at constantly. But nonetheless Uganda is a beautiful place with what seems very happy people. We just arrived last night and it’s weird, a lot of adjusting I guess as I just met about 40 Americans in the group a couple days ago in the airport. Then the rest of the trip just sped by and before I knew it I was in the Entebbe Airport.

Today we went for a walk around Mukono, Uganda and then later we went for a hike up Monkey Hill and I did see some monkeys. I guess I’ve been here a total of one day but it seems a lot has happened and I’m thinking about things a lot, about intercultural relations and communication. Also I am already learning a lot of the concept of time, that to the Ugandans I have met so far, that it does not really matter. I am learning, and I am really wanting to learn how to listen. Not talk so much, but listen because I feel I have a lot to learn from these people.

I have so many thoughts and so much to say, just from the first day. So I can’t imagine what I will be thinking after a couple months of being here. I am really looking forward to going to Rwanda which is in two days I believe, and we will be there for a week. It’s apparently 15 hours away. I hope to put pictures up throughout my blogging. Thank-you all for your prayers and support already! I miss you all already. Talk soon!