I thought I would share some of the experiences I’ve had here so far that make this time in Congo (and now Uganda) quite a memorable experience! You might have to check back on this post to see if it grows over time.
- I burned myself on the tail pipe of a moto while dismounting. I’ll be more careful from now on to mount and dismount from the left side! It healed up well though.
- I ate a raw termite that Jon and the boys captured from the termite mound in their backyard. It seems as though I can never turn down trying a new food or else I can’t say that I tried it! Slimy yet satisfying?
- I cut my own hair for the first time. I had no choice but to try since it can look bad pretty fast if I let it go for too long. I actually proved quite adept at it even though I only had a 4 by 3 inch mirror.
- I had a run-in with bedbugs at the guesthouse where I was staying. As a result I had to change rooms and go through four days borrowing Jessica’s clothes while mine sat in black plastic bags in the sun to make sure we killed all of the bugs. The good news is that the eradication was successful.
- I rode side-saddle on the back of a moto. The first time was with a friend but I quickly got used to riding that way on my own. I found out that it is actually easier and more comfortable than straddling, especially when wearing a skirt which is most of the time.
- I ate my first guava ripe off the tree that is in the yard. Yum yum!
- I participated in carving a jacko-lantern from a watermelon for Halloween. It actually gives of a warm pink glow and a nice sweet scent. There was a random disco light in the front yard of the guesthouse we were staying at in Fort Portal, and so we proceeded to light the lantern, bring out the laptop and speakers, and have an all out dance-party with the kids. “I like to move it move it!”
- I set up and flew a quadrocopter drone that the research institute has purchased for mapping research. So cool! I still have a lot of practicing to do to become a good pilot… I didn’t grow up with video games. I was not the first person to crash it though! Let’s just say that a certain member of the team gave a bush a trim… :P
- On Saturday I went white water rafting for the first time on the Victoria Nile! I had the opportunity to go when I worked with eMi two years ago (I organized the trip), but a few days before the trip I injured my knee and couldn’t go. I was visiting the eMi office this week and learned that the current interns were planning to go and that they actually had an extra space reserved. Coincidence? I think not!
- I touched a white rhinoceros at the Entebbe Wildlife Park. They are gigantic and their skin is super tough! They are such amazing creatures and it is so sad that there are none left in the wild in Uganda.
Life Section 
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