Rain, rain go away

September is the rainy season in Uganda and it's been raining on and off the whole day. It's making me sleepy.

Today was fairly uneventful-- went to the lab as usual. Lyse cells, spin, wash, repeat. Joy, the assistant lab manager and master's student, invited her big brother to lunch today. He's just as gregarious and easy going as she is. It is interesting to hear what they think living in America is like. They think everyone automatically gets a job out of college and that unemployment isn't a problem. They are surprised to hear cars get stolen there and that we have terrible traffic accidents. They also believe(d) that health care in America was assessable to all people. And "claims adjuster" was an unheard of term to them. Oh, and they thought that Pepsi was only available in East Africa. Oh, oh, and they had also heard that there was an assassination plot against Obama.

I had a really interesting conversation with a man after work about how much Kampala has changed since Idi Amin. I'm too exhausted to recall it all, but he told me why there are security guards and fences all over the place, even though the crime rate (particularly violent crime)is so low here. He believes it is a throwback to the time of Amin when there was lawlessness and fear. He thinks that people are still afraid to give it up and that now it is just part of the culture of the city.

I had a tough time getting home today-- it took an hour and 45 minutes for my driver to come. Part of it is because George's default state is late (in fairness, he has a lot of responsibility), but mostly it was because of the rain. Like in the States, when it rains here people completely lose the ability to drive. He got stuck in a hideous traffic jam. To quote George, "That's life in Africa!" I had him drop me off at the Garden City mall, although we didn't arrive until after 7. Most of the stores were closed except for the super market. I wandered over to the casino and played some slots. And got complementary vodkas and passion fruit juice. I have to recreate that drink for you when I get back. Took a taxi home, and here I am. I can hardly keep my eyes open they are so heavy. And it had started raining again-- the sort of downpour that contributes to the phrase "The Storms of Africa". This is the Garden City shopping center I went to-- there are several (small) floors. Since it was a slow picture day, I thought I'd show you some pictures of my new insect friends. xo...G.