Clothing for travel and sketchy roads

The town of Kasese is in the rain shadow of the Rwenzoris, so most of the time it’s pretty dry here, except for the occasional week or two during the wet season. Daytime temperatures seem to get up to 30 -35 C on a regular basis. Except when I want to do my laundry, at which time it stays cool, overcast and usually rains. This makes the drying process a little slower, and of course I have to adapt accordingly. One of my methods of adapting is by washing as often as it’s nice out, but our schedule is rarely so relaxed as to allow me that option. Usually by the time we get back to the guesthouse it’s a hour to dark and we’re exhausted anyway. Which means Sunday is usually the only day I have time to wash. They don’t have dryers here. I also don’t have access to any washing machines (or more precisely, I haven’t seen one in this country yet), which means I have to wash everything by hand. Therefore, in order to reduce the amount of clothes I need to wash, I wear the same clothes every day. This isn’t actually as gross as it might seem. Or perhaps that’s just because I’ve perhaps adapted too much...?

From this frugal wearing pattern, I’ve re-discovered how few clothes I need when traveling. And am kind of annoyed I was duped by Acts into bringing two bags of luggage.

One thing I’m certainly wearing a lot are a pair of light synthetic socks I bought from MEC right before I left. I seem to be wearing the one pair daily and they are fantastic! Wesley and Asaph both wear gumboots all the time, and their feet are starting to pay. I’m forever grateful for the MEC employee who recommended light, quick drying shoes and associated socks. Those of you reading my blog will be delighted to hear that my feet are doing very well.

As I seem to be on a bodily discussion, I might as well send a word of praise to the vaccine Dukoral. The benefit plan for my company, URS, covered the vaccine, so I decided to get it even though I used to believe in letting my body adapt naturally to the new environment. But with Dukoral, I have yet to have more than a cold here in Uganda. The E. Coli protection runs out after three months though, so we’ll see how I do in December.

Speaking of vaccines, I’m starting to get annoyed with the daily dose of Doxycyclane. I now regret not taking Lariam (weekly), despite the strong request from Acts not to take it as it makes people have strong dreams/psychotic. Wesley, who I seem to be spending 90% of my time with, is taking it anyway, so if he snaps, I’ll be in just as much danger, right? And as for the dreams, I’m already one of the most active sleepers I know...

Two days ago we headed up north again to the sub-county of Kitswamba. The head (chairman) of the subcounty has been scouring his S-C as well as the neighboring ones for possibly GFS projects that could be feed his people. The cost of water in the main trading centre is currently ~$1 for 20 litres, which is a lot when the average income in the area is ~$200 a year.

The chairman indeed showed us a beautiful water source in the neighboring S-C which will be able to feed at least 10,000 ppl, but by the time it gets to Kitswamba, it’s doubtful there’ll be any water left. Spent the night up in Kaswa so we could collect a water sample first thing the following morning. Camped out in the front yard of the parish leader’s house and tested my little $35 Canadian Tire tent in some very strong winds and rain. It stood up to the wind, but rain collected in a nice puddle at the front door. I’ve since made some modifications with string, a garbage bag and a coat hanger. But the lack of sleep doesn’t seem worth it.

Due to the rain, the road out the next morning was kind of treacherous. It was Wes’ turn to drive and I was once again strategically placed outside giving him directions. At one point it looked like the back wheel might start to slip over the edge so we dug a new path into the side of the hill. First time I’ve constructed a road before.

Spent the morning in church after being duped by our cook into going. He made a special request that I go, but then ended going to a different church. And the English language services are at 7:30am! How do they hope to convert me if I’m not even awake yet? One funny thing though; they were having elections today and there was a position for Moslem converts assistant. Not sure what the duties are.