My eyeballs are trying to eject themselves from my face due to all the crying that's occured in the past 24 hours.
Thanks, ebola/pneumonic plague/mystery illness for unexpectedly moving up my Gulu departure date by a week and a half.
That's right, family and friends, we've been evacuated to Kampala.
I wasn't ready, in any way, shape, or form, to leave Gulu. I got the call as I walked into the gate of my homestay last night that we were leaving in 12 hours. Immediately... waterworks. I thought I had another week and a half to say goodbye, do everything I wanted to do, and prepare myself for what promises to be the most spectacularly emotional goodbye scene on the planet when I leave Uganda entirely in two weeks. Hollywood, learn a lesson from my life.
I don't mean to be corny (or break your heart, Mom) but I've definitely found a home in Gulu. I suppose sometimes when you leave home, its possible to find another on the other side of the world... at least for me it is. And I'll be returning as fast as humanly possible (summer break 2011? yes please).
Maybe now I'll actually finish my ISP. I definitely will, considering I have no intentions of leaving my hotel room unless an incredibly enticing offer comes along.
The moral of the story is... I hate Kampala and I hate ebola... but more on that later.
P.S. Lesson of the Day: In third world countires (or anywhere, really... let's not stereotype here, people), sometimes friendly neighborhood folk are tempted to steal expensive things. Namely, my computer. Good thing I had bigger things to worry about yesterday than a material thing that can be replaced, eh? Otherwise... I'd be throwing a fit right now. I'll be mad in a day or two when the leaving Gulu blues have passed and all I want to do is watch a movie.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Ebola?! Its Casual
Not to worry, everyone. I'm not suffering from internal bleeding. Nor am I rejecting my internal organs through my orifices... yet.
There's been an outbreak of an as-yet unidentified disease in Northern Uganda. It is suspected to be either dysentery or perhaps ebola (one of mankind's deadliest diseases), and 13 have already died in Kitgum district, about 100 km from Gulu. One mystery case was brought to Gulu's Laco Hospital last night. The CDC hasn't reported back yet and neither have the governments of Uganda or the U.S.
The following is the Warden's Message from the U.S. Embassy in Kampala:
U.S. Embassy Kampala, Uganda
Warden Message - November 30, 2010
Outbreak of Unidentified Illness in Northern Uganda
Ugandan press are reporting an outbreak of an unknown severe illness in three districts of Northern Uganda, characterized by fever, vomiting and diarrhea. The districts identified as being affected are: Abim (specifically Morulem sub-county), Agago (Omiya P’Chua, Adilang and Paimoi sub-counties) and Kitgum (Orum, Namokora and Kitgum Town Council).
While we are seeking to confirm these details, the U.S. Mission in Kampala and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) office in Uganda recommend U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Uganda minimize their travel to these affected areas until further information becomes available. Non-essential U.S. Government official travel to the three affected areas is presently restricted.
Cheery, right? Really inspires a lot of confidence. I swear to God, if I'm quarantined when I set foot on American soil... I might just throw a hissy fit.
We only have about ten days left in Gulu, so if this outbreak hits here (pray to God it doesn't) chances are we'll already be long gone. Our program director hasn't made any final decisions yet, but there is talk that we may be heading back to Kampala much earlier than expected.
I'll keep everyone updated as decisions are made, but I'm pretty confident we'll be just fine and will finish out our time here as planned. Knock on wood.
So now, since that was seiously lacking sunshine and rainbows, let's lighten the mood a little bit.
MY FRIENDS ARE THE STARS OF A TOP TWENTY UGANDAN MUSIC VIDEO.
Every day is crazier than the last in this place. Cross that off the bucket list, ladies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdLljCXV-pk
There's been an outbreak of an as-yet unidentified disease in Northern Uganda. It is suspected to be either dysentery or perhaps ebola (one of mankind's deadliest diseases), and 13 have already died in Kitgum district, about 100 km from Gulu. One mystery case was brought to Gulu's Laco Hospital last night. The CDC hasn't reported back yet and neither have the governments of Uganda or the U.S.
The following is the Warden's Message from the U.S. Embassy in Kampala:
U.S. Embassy Kampala, Uganda
Warden Message - November 30, 2010
Outbreak of Unidentified Illness in Northern Uganda
Ugandan press are reporting an outbreak of an unknown severe illness in three districts of Northern Uganda, characterized by fever, vomiting and diarrhea. The districts identified as being affected are: Abim (specifically Morulem sub-county), Agago (Omiya P’Chua, Adilang and Paimoi sub-counties) and Kitgum (Orum, Namokora and Kitgum Town Council).
While we are seeking to confirm these details, the U.S. Mission in Kampala and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) office in Uganda recommend U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Uganda minimize their travel to these affected areas until further information becomes available. Non-essential U.S. Government official travel to the three affected areas is presently restricted.
Cheery, right? Really inspires a lot of confidence. I swear to God, if I'm quarantined when I set foot on American soil... I might just throw a hissy fit.
We only have about ten days left in Gulu, so if this outbreak hits here (pray to God it doesn't) chances are we'll already be long gone. Our program director hasn't made any final decisions yet, but there is talk that we may be heading back to Kampala much earlier than expected.
I'll keep everyone updated as decisions are made, but I'm pretty confident we'll be just fine and will finish out our time here as planned. Knock on wood.
So now, since that was seiously lacking sunshine and rainbows, let's lighten the mood a little bit.
MY FRIENDS ARE THE STARS OF A TOP TWENTY UGANDAN MUSIC VIDEO.
Every day is crazier than the last in this place. Cross that off the bucket list, ladies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdLljCXV-pk
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