December 30, 2013

Beginng the blog

Kris gave me this book, after she had started to write in it, and then lost it, but when she found it she felt too distant from it. And I imagine she was writing somewhere else. Reading what she wrote: she sets a high standard for consciousness, for mindfulness. It has been so long time since I have been mindful in any connected way that I will have to practice connecting.

She gave me this book because she wanted me to have a place to write. Next month I am going to Uganda. I have told people and myself that I will write a blog and Kris gave me the place to write it. I have already started to think about what to write. It seems like there should be a lot and I haven't even left yet. Why am I going, why am I going in spite of the fact that it is making Sharry very sad and afraid. And, of course, as in every new endeavor, how will I do, will I be up to it. Physically I think I will do all right, although I don't look forward to the discomforts, heat, mosquitos, no fresh water are the only ones I know about. Spiritually I hope that this will be an advancement from where I am. Mentally/emotionally I worry about becoming depressed, either because I am lonely or because the experience is not what I wanted it to be. I need to be open to letting the experience be whatever it is. Let go of my expectations.

December 31st

So why am I going? Adventure is the first word that comes into my mind. I have from time-to-time done some adventurous things. I went to Diomede Island for two months to count walrus. I went to Guatemala at age 19 for two years. I'm not the type to climb mountains or para-sail. My adventures are more like explorations of the world and cultures. I am going to be better able to identify with people of the world who have so little, materially, compared to what we have. I understand that the indentification will be somewhat artificial because I will come back to my world. But I might be able to absorb a bit of who they are and how they live.

I am going to challenge myself, to expand my mind, to deepen my spiritual self. To do that, I will need to be mindful of everything, all the time. I said to someone that I need something to "grab me" (and shake me?). I notice all the "I's" in this writing. I hope to become more "other" focused. 

January 22, 2014

In the airport waiting for the British Air flight to London. From there, with a 2-hour layover, direct to Entebbe Airport in Kampala, Uganda.The past 2 weeks have been strange and wonderful. So many people expressing their love and support: family, friends, people at church. Some growing anxiety about whether I will be up to the task. And growing sadness about being away from Sharry for so long, and about the anxiety and sadness that I am causing for her. More thoughts about why I am doing this. I am so aware of the corporate control and wealth. I want to leave that for a while. The 85 wealthiest people in the world control one-half of the wealth of the world. I am going to try to have a deeper relationship with some black people, to rid myself of any lingering prejudices that I imaging must be there.

January 23rd

I am in Heathrow with an hour until my flight leaves. Good flight over the "pond." Sat by a guy from Denver who was born in Paris of an African mother and Parisian father. Kids go to Kent. Beautiful dawn landing over London. 

After 18 hours total travel time including 2 hours in London, I made it here fine. Florence met me with her brother/ driver. Florence is the country manager for a breakfast cereal manufacturer here. Lives in a modest house that reminds me of a similar status house in Latin America (LA). In fact, the whole appearance of Kampala reminds me of LA. Except the people here are black. This morning Florence and her driver went with me to get a SIM card, a plug-in internet card, changed money, and got more passport fotos which you need here from time to time. All of the malls are fairly extensively guarded, post-Westgate.

It is of course hot a humid, but not bad.

January 25th

 I have arrived in Lira after an exhausting trip today.

January 26th

8 AM. Sitting on porch of the house. The family went to church across the street. They allowed me to beg off (last night) because of tiredness. I will go later to a different church 3 km away. Agustine won't be here for another two weeks. His brother Jimmy Francis is in charge. It is the end of the hot dry season and the rains will start soon. So, very few mosquitos now. The trip up was exhausting. Took 7 hours, the last half on very narrow dirt roads. Good driver, but passing of people, bicycles, other cars is all very "fluid." We crossed the Nile on a ferry boat. Got good pictures. I don't think I brought the cord to transfer them to the computer. Will try to buy one here. 

By observing I am very gradually getting the hang of things, but every thing is different and a mystery. I used to describe India as a different reality. So is Uganda.

January 27th

Long, good day at the Uganda Christian Institute School of Nursing and Midwifery. The young assistant director showed me around and we discussed what their needs are. I went to 2 of his lectures on cardiovascular disease. He really knows his stuff, but is a terrible lecturer. He is a nurse and in medical school. I will be teaching Community Medicine and Pediatrics, their biggest needs. Tomorrow I will meet with at least one of the classes to assess where they are in their knowledge. They have already recieved some lectures in CM. I am getting braver about my needs. Will go to Keframa College sometime this week. UCI has a car, and I will help pay for petrol. Others ride a motorcycle to KC, but I would rather not. They said they understood "because of my age," but I denied that and said it is because of safety. Anyway, I will pay for petrol to get a ride to KC.

I am sitting outside as the day begins to cool off. The heat is the biggest factor for now.