"You Are Welcome"

That's a pretty standard greeting around here.  I like it a lot, because it sounds better when you say all three words, and when it's separate from thank you.  It also seems to summarize people's attitudes around here, which is pretty refreshing. 

I'm back from the park, and other than some massive home sickness, I had a fabulous time.  After the lodge yesterday, we found a boat to ride around the lake, and we saw some crazy birds, crocodiles (not my favorite), and TONS of hippos.  We came back to the hostel worn out, and right about the time it started to get dark the power went out.  A generator turned on a few lights, but the one plus about the hostel was the fan in our room, which provided no relief without power.  After a couple of hours, the shedding of some clothes, some ridiculously loud banging outside our window, and some lamenting from both me and Lucy, the fan roared to life at around midnight.  We both got a lovely night's rest after that. 

Today we woke up, stopped at a craft shop that supports women's rights, and Theodore got us on the road.  I had a small moment because he pulled over in front of some slum-looking homes and told us to get out.  Lucy and I were a little concerned as Theodore was very insistent, and the people inside the homes look just as bewildered.  We walked from the car, through the neighborhood (the poorest I've ever seen in my life), scared some goats, and walked past a tomato garden, and then he pointed for us to look down.  We'd climbed the hill to see we were on top of a mountain, looking into the greenest lake I've ever seen.  I decided then, that I'm just going to go with the flow and chalk up what comes to it's an adventure!  After that, we went about a mile down the road and had lunch at the richest looking resort on top of the mountain I can imagine.  Looks like the U.S. isn't the only place with division of wealth problems. 

So I'm back in Mbarara, and glad to be still for a minute.  I feel like there is so much in my head, and I have a hard time putting it down on here.  I'm happy and having fun, but I'm also crazy with homesickness, and it seems to come and go pretty violently.  I'm still a little iffy about my work at the clinic, since I don't seem to be doing much but getting in the way.  It's only been one week though, so I'm giving it at least one more before I pack my bags and hitch a ride back to the States. 

Today, I'm thankful...
1.  for a home away from home at the guest house.  Even with cold showers and lizards, it beats a gross hostel any day (which also had cold showers and lizards).
2.  for fun banana drinks and fish stir fry. 
3.  for good trashy books.  I finished another one today called Girls in Trucks.  It's pretty much just smut, but it was on the bargain table at Barnes and Noble and it was about the south.  Good times!
4.  for toilet paper.  It's been everywhere I've gone so far, but I can't imagine being without it.  
5.  for a free afternoon to get clean and catch up. 

Here are some things I'm NOT thankful for (I think I should be able to get in a few)...
1.  mosquito nets.  The first night it was cool, but now I see why no one wants to use them because they're hot and they suck.
2.  toilets that only flush occasionally.  There's no rhyme or reason to them around here. 
3.  napkins and hand towels are a rarity.  My hands always seem wet or dirty.
4.  not being able to feel pretty.  I always feel plain and dirty, and I miss my pretty dresses and straight hair.  Lucy saw my drivers license picture (which is actually a decent picture) and couldn't believe it was the same person. 

I think that's all I've got for now.  Much love!