Saying Goodbye

Well ladies and gentlemen, this is the last post being written while in Africa. I will post some more pictures next week, once I have fast internet again.

Here is the plan for tonight: eat dinner, get to the airport ridiculously early (O’Hare has trained me well), get on a plane, and go to sleep. I will be getting into Chicago tomorrow (Friday) at 1:00 pm.

As everyone warned me before I came here, I have mixed feelings about coming home. I will miss my new friends, the weather, and UNAD. But I am ready to be home where I do not break the cultural norms on a regular basis. I never thought I would say this…but I miss the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority). I appreciate the fact that in Chicago, I can look at a map and know where to catch the El. And I am ready to be back with my friends and family. I now appreciate all the more the crucial role that you all play in me life. I’ve been amazed at the outpouring of love and support that has come my way over the past 2 months. I couldn’t have done it without you.

I did not learn a ton of USL and I’m sure I will forget some as I return to ASL, but I will never forget the signs I learned and used everyday to explain who I am and why I’m in Uganda, especially the word “research.”

Love, Sarah

Research is finished!!!

Wow, it has been a lot longer since I last posted than I realized. Since my time here is about to end, this past week has been crazy busy with souvenir shopping, finishing up my research, and saying my goodbyes.

This morning I met with Alex Ndeezi, who is the first deaf Member of Parliament. I also met with Martin, who is director of HIV education programs for NUDIPU (please don’t ask me what it stands for, some of the letters mean National Union of Disabled Persons…or Individuals? I don’t know). These were my very last two interviews. Yay!

This afternoon I went to the Entebbe Wildlife Education Center with Renee and her kids. I don’t think I had ever seen an ostrich in real life…or at least this close. Thank goodness for the fence, because the ostrich standing about a foot away from me did not like having his picture taken. My camera battery is currently charging, so I can’t post any pictures tonight.

I went to an amazing (4 hour!) dance performance this past Sunday. It had dances and storytelling from all around Africa. Most of the pictures turned out pretty awful (despite my vast experience taking photos of dance shows), but I will post some of the decent ones later.

So, did I mention that I have been spelling muzungu wrong all along? Well, not wrong, but not the most common spelling for the area I’m living in. I discovered it when I say a tourist t-shirt that says “My name is not Muzungu!” This is unbelievably funny since every person along the side of the road addresses me as such. What I can’t figure out though is why they are surprised that I know they’re talking about me when they’re chatting with others in Luganda…they all yell muzungu all the time, so why wouldn’t I know it means white person? And it always means me because I’m the only one around.

Tomorrow I am going to UNAD to say goodbye to everyone. Then I’m running errands like picking up some African clothes I’m having made and buying some books for the plane ride home.

My flight leaves Entebbe airport at 11:00 pm Thursday night and I arrive in the US sometime Friday. See you soon!

Sarah