Somewhere between my painfully slow peeling of the plantains to make matoke and taking a bucket shower by the glow of the mobile lightbulb, enveloped in the total darkness of a Kampala blackout, something clicked. My homesickness faded away along with my tan; (which is mostly composed of the red dust of Uganda) with every cup full of water, warmed for me on hot coals.
Our homestay families vary from the very wealthy to lower middle-class. I was very lucky to get a family that is upper middle class: usually we have an indoor shower and flushing toilet, and I have my own room. Honestly, the best part of last night was in doing those things most Americans have the luxury of avoiding. Here I realize just how absurdly privileged life in the U.S. is for even the lowest parts of society and how completely clueless I am by the standards of most Ugandans. It took my at least three failed attempts to start the charcoal stove and I could peel one plantain for every eight of Victoria’s. At home, I don’t have to rely on a single oil lamp in order to finish my homework, and never in even the worst of gas station bathrooms have I ever had to squat over a porcelain hole in the ground. But this is what is making my experience...well, I could do with more toilet paper.
With each chore I perform, I am contributing to the household and becoming more and more a part of the family. Last night, I was given my name: Nagayi, which signifies that I am from the Nagaye clan of the Buganda people. How much more difficult it would be for me to work my way into the family if there were no actual work to do for the family. Luxury affords too much idle time that I usually fill with solitary activities such as television, sleeping or reading. While it’s nice to have those times to rest and reflect, there is so much to be said about the simple pleasure of keeping company with work. Of course back home, “luxury” has brought with it a fast-paced, competitive world in which I must spend such time studying. I don’t resent this, and in fact, I’m sure after a few weeks of this I will be ready for internet, movies and library study dates. In fact, when my program picks up, I will have less time to spend with my Ugandan mother, but for now, I am enjoying the change of pace. I hope that I will be able to come back from Uganda with the ability to occasionally slow myself down and take the time and pride to do such things as cook a meal from scratch.
Classes have started and soon I will be developing my independent project. But for now I am out of internet time so I apologize for any typos. Mary, if you would be so kind...
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I feel as if I am there with you, now. Continue to immerse yourself in the experience so we can all live it vicariously through you when you return. Thanks for the phone call, too!
ReplyDeleteToilet paper? hmmm....
ReplyDeleteI appreciate what you are saying about "keeping company with work".
ReplyDeleteSometimes luxury is the most simple.
Your tale reminds me of a trip I took in NZ, with a Māori family, and they asked me what my typical day back home consisted of; They were astounded to find that I never once referred to my family (I mean, we call them a day a week, and usually that's enough), had all these electronic luxuries, and had dinner cooked for me!
ReplyDeleteThey wanted to know why I didn't interact with my family more; Why I didn't take part in activity with my religion; Why there was a lack of heritage and keeping those traditions alive.
It's arguable that modern day capitalism and society has ruined our need to be better social actors and to take satisfaction in redeeming smiles' and basic 'thank-you's' from random strangers. But, in small pockets in the world, you still find this.
And I'm happy you get to have that experience :)