If you peer outside, on the surface you might think it’s Maui, or some other tropical haven for easy living and casual reprieve, but it’s just not that kind of place. This is Uganda. This is sub-saharan Africa and it’s a wee bit different.
Granted, I’m in love with the sounds. The birds have me captivated. The squawking and gurgling, the cackling and the coo-coo’ing. The insects look like Maui insects, the ants are huge. The flora and fauna are a gorgeous and glowing green with flowers bright and brilliantly alive. Birds in flight with 4 ft wing span. And that in-door out-door living that only comes with tropical temperatures is amazing.
But you know what. As easy as it would be to slip into a casual and care-free approach to Ugandan living……You CAN get sick from the tap water. You CAN get sick from bacteria in the food. You CAN get malaria (although I am NOT going to) from some random mosquito bite…. so, I take this opportunity to remind myself as I remind you.
This is NOT Maui. YOU ARE IN UGANDA.
And as Lynn so eloquently put it….. “didn’t you see all the Africans today? There aren’t so many dark skinned people on Maui.”
And so, allow me to remind you, as I remind myself.
Brush your teeth with bottled water.
Thoroughly wash your veggies and use some grapefruit seed extract for extra cleanliness (even if it’s in the other room…go get it)
Clean up after you cook (otherwise ants infest)
Take your herbs and supplements
Wear bug repellent at sun up and sun down (high risk and highest mosquito times of the day)
Cover your body, even if it’s hotter than you care to stand being clothed
And shower often.
I think that does it for now. Day 2…in the books. Good thing for this Internet connection….that’s a serious plus…. even though you kind of feel like you’re Maui….YOU’RE NOT. Can’t you hear that “Do” happening down by the lake.
Sounds like Africa, and it’s high time to play it like it is.
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