Living Basic.........

Things are going really great out here - after fears of being unsafe at the house and moving to the other side of the town to the compound things have just gotten better and better. Love the people I'm sharing my house with (one inparticular!) and starting to feel really settled and happy here. Really starting to wish i was out here longer as time has already passed so quickly i just don't feel that there's enough left.

Things got very 'basic' as of today though and we've no electricity or running water - just got back from collecting water in buckets and Jerry cans from a short walk away from our compound - was well worth it though as I'm now all lovely and clean after my bucket wash.

Work is going well and we've some events planned for the coming weeks and our proposals have been passed so we've been issued the money for these events. Our first is on Friday where we will be going to a school in one of the outer villages to conduct a sexual reproductive health session, we've paid for a drama group and a nurse to come and do a talk, our next event will be at the end of the month where we will be running a video screening at our projects HIV testing day - we're currently in the process of trying to find a generator to hire though as there's zero electricity in the villages. We're having a good laugh at work though and my boss is really laid back so we get the afternoon off when its gets too hot (which is pretty much everyday).

So today is Valentines day and I'm one of the lucky few who has a date! Yes that's right it took 3 years and i had to travel all the way to Uganda but I'm finally going on a date on Valentines day! I'm going with a guy called Joseph who's a National and is lovely, Its only to go play pool but still its progress! Everyone at the compound is also doing a secret valentine (like secret Santa), i picked Alex one of the national volunteers and have bought him a hat. Just saw my pressie under the tree on my way outta of the compound - will have to update on what i get!

As far as settling in goes i'm really hooked on Matoke at the minute (thats the mashed banana stuff) and I've found a nice traditional cafe to go get local food which does killer Matoke so i'm happy -

Stayed the weekend before last at a place called Bugagali Falls, Rachel i'm sure its the place where you stayed when you went rafting here. It was completely breath taking. There was a veranda at the back of the bar which looked out on top the most amazing view of the Nile - didnt get any pics as didnt have my camera but i'll definitely be going back so i'll hopefully get to upload some photos.

Well i'm going to have to leave it there for now as only have 10 mins left before my Internet credit goes and seriously need to run a spell check on this.

(Donna if you are reading this congratulations and email me a photo of Tom as soon as you can - love you x)

......................