Oliotya!

That means hello in Luganda. I am here! It is been a whirlwind of a week. After spending what seems like days in airports (actually, it was), I am finally in Kampala. Firstly, the weather is beautiful. I have actually been cold more often than I have been warm, it's perfect. We are staying in a local hotel on the main road of the city, and we have begun venturing out into the city and using the little big of Luganda we have learned so far. The city is simultaneously the most dirty and also the most beautiful place. The people are incredibly kind and generous-- the will literally walk a mile out of their way to being you somewhere if you are lost. The people in my group too are great, we number 30 but we are all very close. I have been staying with my great roommate but tomorrow the homestay begins. I have a single mother and 3 kids of a range of ages, one my age so that will be good. And hopefully I will have running water... This past week has been orientation, so a flood of information before real classes start on Monday. Those also seem intense. I am looking forward to the trips we will get to take out of the city, and already we are thinking about our practicum during the last 6 weeks, which is like an internship during which we will be doing research and writing a big paper. For the first time, the program has opened up northern uganda to us (where the war has previosly been). Don't worry mom and dad, I probably won't end up there. Also, the program leaders and great and everything seems in very good hands. One of them has my birthday so we will hopefully plan something exciting. What else...ah the food. Lots of matooke with ground nut sauce...basicallyy mashed up plaintain with what tastes like peanut butter on top. Really good nan-type bread, and lots of beans and some meat, and amazing fruit. Oh, I just got a phone. The full number is 011+256+0775821667. the 011 is to leave the US and 256 is the ugandan country code, and then my cell number. and i get incoming calls free! so hoooopefully that works. Well I don't have much time left, but I shall write again soon.