Brooke Does Uganda: First week in Uganda: Initial Impressions

I have been so warmly welcomed!

I am really enjoying my past few days at JCRC. Thursday and Friday were mostly days of introduction, finding all the offices, and knowing where to go.

Today was my first real day at JCRC and it was fantastic. I am super excited about this year and I feel it's a great fit.

I shadowed Dr. William Tamale, a fantastically friendly MD, and saw many HIV study subjects with him. I also spent time with Sister (and nurse) Resti (sp?) and learned about her perceived challenges of emergency situations and how the clinic functions in the reception area.

I will laugh at myself right now because during lunch, there was some liquid on the floor that I didn't see and FELL in front of...oh...pretty much everyone that works there.

After that, though,I felt like I was in the right place when a nurse commented to me today, "We have been waiting for you for so long, nurse Brooke. We want you to make suggestions so we can get better."

A highlight of my week had to be my boda (motorcycle) ride, with helmet of course, from Kampala to Lubowa. 30-45 minutes of streets filled with goats, people, motorcycles getting around any way they can, and little motorcars. And a few real bikes. This is not controlled chaos. THIS IS PURE CHAOS. Total price (although it was priceless, really): about $5. And I'm sure that was a muzungu (white person) price, too.

This weekend, I was in Kampala enjoying a party for outgoing and incoming Uganda GHC fellows, both casually at an outgoing fellow Rahul's amazing abode and formally at the Fairway Hotel with a GHC-sponsored event. It was great to meet everyone and I know we have big shoes to fill.

I have a million notes that I took today from lessons learned and a million ideas floating around in my head already!

Soon, I will be moving out of my temporary UN-style housing into a 2-bedroom furnished house in a compound living only with Ugandans! Perfect for hosting, so please consider a visit!

Stay tuned for more!

Traditional matoke, a smashed plantain dish, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matoke) plus cassava, eggplant, and sweet potato. Yum! I am continually surprised by the multitude of vegetarian options, many of which are Indian-inspired.