Where Uganda, Africa?

6:12am PST- Portland, Oregon

In an attempt to really jump start my travel documentation, I’ve decided to take full advantage of my multiple 3 hour layovers across the globe to share with you the incredibly interesting and noteworthy things and events I see, in true Sarah story telling style (if you don’t get the joke, keep reading my posts over the next few months and you’ll understand ;D).

First let me start off by saying, I am amazing. Who fits 6 months worth of clothes/toiletries in one duffel bag and a backpack??? Oh right, it’s me…not to toot my own horn or anything… And while this is quite an impressive feat it unfortunately is going to make hauling around my checked duffel should or when the time comes not so much fun.

Earlier this week I was skyping with my old college roommates from good ol’ C1. They let me in on a little joke they had come up with and I thought I’d share it with you. I, being of supersonic hearing and mental quickness (this, in case you are unaware, is a complete lie- sadly), eagerly awaited to hear this great joke they had come up with. They tell it and what I hear is “Where are you going? Africa?” Apparently my blank stare gave away the fact that I either heard them wrong or completely missed the joke. Honestly you could say it was a bit of both. Really they had said “Where Uganda, Africa?” but it sounds like “where are you going, Africa?” I’m sure you all got the joke right away, but as usual it took me a little while to comprehend. But rest assured, once I understood I had a nice little laugh – fully appreciating how cleaver my friends can be.

It just occurred to me that I should probably plug my computer in now so I have battery power left when I get to Europe, Africa, etc. Hmm, it has also just dawned on me that I didn’t bring an outlet adapter so as of now I have no way of charging my computer once I leave the United States . . . awesome. Well, I’ll let you know how that one plays out…

The start of my trip has been dappled with surprises so far. First, on the drive to the airport I witnessed a lightning storm parallel to that of the mid-west – something I’ve NEVER seen on the Oregon Coast/Portland metropolitan area. In addition to seeing the sky light up with Technicolor bolts and flashes I also experienced my very first radio emergency message that wasn’t a test! Talk about exciting! . . . and I guess it really is a good thing the quarter sized hail and funnel clouds ended up being a bust . . . Then, after arriving at the airport I went to check my duffle and print my boarding passes and to my surprise they didn’t make me pay a baggage fee! Score!

Well I’m guessing there won’t be too much more excitement between now and when I board the plane. Oh who am I kidding? There are tons of people, foreign and local, and I’m a nosy person who likes to stare, of course I’m going to see more interesting things! However, I’ll try to remember them till the next stop because I’m going to go get myself a snack now. Interesting, I know. Don’t you just love the play-by-plays?

Later- Newark, New Jersey

Things of interest- One married couple sporting matching T-shirts with the words “I love my wife” and “I love my husband.” Perhaps somebody needs reminding . . . ? I sat next to a guy from Washington (state) who was starting a semester abroad in Brussels and an Italian guy on his way home from visiting his girlfriend in the states for 25 days (his words, not mine). Yeah, not too exciting here, I think that was it.

After that- Brussels, Belgium

Walked forever to find the right terminal I was supposed to be in, finally found it then waited in mild confusion with a growing group of others as to why it was nearing time for boarding and our gate was still blocked off. During this time I met a guy from Uganda named Tom, who apparently has been doing a lot of research/school/work regarding the peace corp and conflict management stuff. Anyway, he was pretty nice and full of useful knowledge about things.

On the plane I sat next to some girl from Hawaii who was going to do a term abroad in Kigali, Rwanda.

Even later- Kigali, Rwanda

My flight was continuing straight on to Entebbe, Uganda- my final flight destination, so I just hung out on the plane for an hour while it was being cleaned/reboarded. I talked to Tom a bit more then met the girl who would be sitting next to me on the last leg of my flight. She was a Canadian who had been working in Kigali for the last 9 months. It was pretty interesting to hear some of the stuff she had to say.

About 11:00 pm Uganda time (10 hours ahead of PSD)- Entebbe, Uganda

Finally made it!!! I got through customs pretty quick and found my bag traveling around on the conveyor belt within seconds. After a quick word with Tom I went out in search of someone holding a sign with my name . . .

INVENT!!!

Earlier today I thought my awkward adventure with Benny and the sewing machine repair shop was over. Apparently I was wrong...

This afternoon I got out my machine to start stitching up some suits. I was just about to put the foot peddle on the ground when I noticed something different on the back of it . . .

'hmm, i don't remember writing being on here before,' I thought as i figuratively scratched my head.

After a much closer examination I discovered the big ol' Assyrian inventor/repairman had left me a choice phrase of inspiration to stay with me always. Or at least as long as I have this particular peddle. This is what it said:

Benny

7 - 7 - 11

INVENT

Wow, never would I have thought that he would keep creeping into my life after fixing my machine a month ago. Well played Benny, well played . . .

After a brief bit of pondering I made a very interesting conclusion. Benny is, I'm starting to piece together, supposed to be to me what Charles Muntz is to Carl and Ellie on UP. Except instead of using the tagline "Adventure is out there!" Benny has chosen the simple, yet effective, 'INVENT!' The main difference being Charles Muntz was idolized by the kids whereas Benny, though nice, is just a tad bit creepy and makes me slightly uncomfortable.

Because this was such a monumental realization I had to document it. Ok that's a lie, really I had to document my findings because I couldn't believe my creepy sewing machine story was still wasn't finished a month later. . .

Just look at the pictures:

$60 and a kiss

A few days ago I took my sewing machine into a repair shop to take care of some inconvenient technical issues. It was a small locally owned business run by an oldish Assyrian man and his brother.

Upon meeting the man I had spoken with on the phone, Benny, I was quite surprised to find such a nice, funny, old man. We talked quite a while when I dropped off my piece of machinery, discussing everything from what bobbins look like from machines from the 1800s to how the Singer brand got it's name. We even explored how Benny has so many ideas for different inventions ("i'm an inventor, you are too"). I, apparently, had the privilege of hearing two of these said inventions and somehow ended up consenting to being Benny's business partner -"we'll go in 50/50."
'Yeah, ok'- was my response, not really thinking he was serious. After a brief Assyrian vocab lesson and randomly talking to his brother on his cell phone when he called I said goodbye and planned to return in two days time to pick up my repaired sewing machine.

The following day I received a call from Benny telling me the repairs were finished and I could come pick my machine up any time. Luckily for me I had the use of a car the next morning, eliminating my need to haul what felt like a box of bricks around on the bus for a second time.

I got to the shop around 11 and what did I find? A locked door. ...uh....hmm...now what? So I gave Benny a call -"I came to pick up my machine but there's no one here." I was assured he would be there in the next hour so I went about my day and looped back a bit later.

Now this is where things get kind of weird - as if him asking if I wanted to talk to his brother on his cell phone when I first met him wasn't weird enough. I go back into the shop and test out my machine to make sure it's working properly and inquire about payment. Cash only? That sucks, so I ran across the street to Spinny's Market to use the ATM. Once I got back I handed Benny the $60 he charged me and I hear "Oh, actually it's sixty dollars and a half." So I think he means $65 and start digging in my purse for my wallet.
"Did you hear what I said?" he asks me.
'Yeah, $60 and a half'
"No, I said $60 and a hug."
OOOHHHHHH, now I get it. Me, being the incredibly smart person I am reply
'Oh! Ok sure.' - no big deal right?

I prepared to leave and thanked him a few times for the repairs. As i was turning to leave Benny says "Wait, what about my hug?"
'Oh right' - and I walk around the desk to give him a hug. It isn't until mid embrace that I realize what a bad idea that really was. It became blatantly clear when I tried pulling away and he didn't give any indication of letting go any time soon. Then i feel scratchy whiskers on my skin - he kissed my neck!! Twice!!!! I pulled away as fast as humanly possible, weirded out but not wanting to be rude. "I like you, you're a very nice girl," he tells me "you'll remember that kiss on the neck won't you?"
'(insert uncomfortable laugh here) yeah, I will.'
"Before you leave I have a gift for you" - uh oh, what in the world is that supposed to mean? To my relief he pulls out a pair of thread snippers and I am finally able to get out of the shop and the whole awkward situation.

I've realized from this that at times I am entirely too nice. But hey, it makes for a pretty good story and I did get free thread snips . . .

Poodles + dreadlocks = AMAZING

I saw my first Rastafarian Poodle the other day on my walk to the lakefront to watch the fireworks. Picture, if you will, a black poodle with the classic hair cut associated with the breed. However, instead of a poof of curls sitting atop the pooch's head there was a patch of dreads. Long, thin, doggie dreads that blew in the wind like Fabio's luscious locks during a photo shoot. Talk about majestic!

Earlier in the day I went to the "beach" with my roomies with the goal of evening out an unsightly chest tan line. While venturing thigh high into the undoubtedly germ infested dirty water I, from out of nowhere, feel something hit me in the back. I immediately run my hand over the assaulted surface only to collect a handful of wet sand. Someone had thrown a glob of wet sand at me!! I quickly spin around and instantly zero in on the culprits, a group of 5 elementary school aged children. "Ooohhhhhhhhhhh" I let out in a menacing tone. 10 little eyes grew larger. I was very tempted to reach down and fling my own sand blob straight back at them, but I didn't know who to aim for. That and I didn't want to have to deal with any angry parents later on.

This humidity will be the death of me . . . until of course the temperature drops. Did i mention convenient store workers love us?!?

ON a hot, hot day in July . . .
Sa smells her knee, then her armpit . . .
So- Smell anything?
Sa- . . . I don't smell anything
[So smells her armpits]
So- . . . maybe a little . . .
Sa- me too
Both- HAHAHAHAHAHA

Today we received the "Beautiful Twin Girl Discount," consisting of free Smarties candies and a reduced price on a quart of milk. SCORE!!! First-discounted milk, next-winning lottery tickets!!! Oh yeah . . .

Wednesday

I've come to the conclusion that tourist little kids bug me, a lot.

I also will openly admit that when listening to my ipod and it dies on me I just leave my head phones in so people think i'm still listening to my music. I do this for a couple of reasons.
1) I am, apparently, too lazy to take the lil' suckers out
2) It gives me an excellent cover for extreme eavesdropping (not like i've ever needed a cover, but still . . . )
3) It improves my chances of the creeps staying away. I've noticed the weirdos you meet on the train typically only bother the people who are just sitting there - without any form of distraction.

Today I woke up and looked out the window. It was pouring. I thought to myself 'I really hope it stops before I have to walk to the train station.' Today must have been my lucky day, it only poured after I had safely made it inside. Shocking!

I really need to go grocery shopping soon . . . I really really don't want to.

Runny peanut butter . . . Yum???

This morning as I was preparing to make my lunch I decided on the old fall-back of PB&J. Not really because I love it all that much (though I do usually find it quite delicious) but because on early mornings it is pretty much the only thing I have time to slap together - that and I just the night before picked up some more peanut butter and jelly. Not thinking much about my choice of organic peanut butter at the store yesterday left me with quite a shock this morning. Imagine my surprise when i peeled off the foil safety barrier to find a a pool of liquid sitting on top. -No big deal- I will just mix it up like I am (I'm assuming) supposed to and my peanut butter will be good to go.

. . . Hmm . . . maybe 'good to go' depends on your definition of what 'good' really is. As much as I'd like it to be, mine is not eating PB that has the consistency of whole milk yogurt . . . without any salt . . . at all. A quick look at the time told me I didn't have time to be picky and make something else (not that I would have anyway as i'm such a penny-pinching-tightwad) so I finished making my lunch and was on my way to the train station.

Along the way I passed a jacket in the middle of the road as well as a pair of shoes abandoned on the sidewalk a few yards beyond. I really wanted them to belong to the same person and hoped I would eventually find the rest of the stranger's outfit before I got to the train. But some dreams are meant to remain as such I guess . . .

Once on the train however I found a real winner. There she was just a walkin' down the street singin' do-wah-diddy-diddy-dum-diddy-do! Just kidding she wasn't walking or singing, but leaning, leaning against the window and her . . . wait for it . . . fold up scooter! Mind you this girl is probably early - mid 20s. But in retrospect that scooter was really working for her with her dangly leaf earring - hanging down from the top cartilage of her ear. If you ask me that's a bold statement right there, kind of like wearing a dangly eyebrow ring - which I've never seen in real life but i can definitely picture it in my head. This girl's whole aura was really enhanced by the way her lips couldn't seem to meet each other, ever (at least through out the duration of my exposure). This, paired with the continuous blank stare she sent permeating through the lenses of her gold framed aviators made for a very entertaining, though brief, chunk of time on the train. Welcome to Sarah's world, where people are observed with a scrutinizing eye on a constant basis. . . . but don't worry I'm not here to judge. I'm just looking for entertainment . . .