My driver Spero took me to exchange some money this morning. I gave them $300 and I got back 489,000 schillings. The wad was so large I couldn’t even close my wallet.
Things were frustrating at the lab today. The issue with the too small sample size hadn’t been worked out yet, so I didn’t want to start extracting the DNA from the real samples. I went up to the clinic and had them draw 10ml of blood from myself instead, and practiced a buffy coat extraction from that blood. The clinic was nicer than I’d seen in documentaries, but half the wards were in tents because of overflow.
They served fish heads at lunch in the Canteen today, which made my appetite go from ravenous to nonexistent. Man, that was gross. Speaking of, my cook just informed me I ate goat for dinner last night. This just reaffirms the mantra I came here with--eat first, ask questions later. I also haven't gotten sick yet, which is surprising because I keep forgetting and drinking the water.
The other driver George picked me up early at the JCRC, and we went to the other labs at Mulago. He is the nicest guy, but he doesn’t stop talking—it’s hilarious. He’s particularly interested in the election, staying up until 4am to watch McCain’s speech. I don’t even know any Americans that would do that. Wait… maybe that’s part of the problem. At Mulago, we parked in front of the Children’s Cancer Clinic where I saw my first Burkitt’s lymphoma child. My heart melted fast than it ever had before. I may have just walked into my new career path.
One thing I’d noticed earlier was that walking or driving around town, everyone looks like they are about to open a can of whoop ass. What I found though (I tested this on women first), was that if you smile at them, they bust into the biggest, friendliest, meekest smile, and then they all wave. When was the last time that happened to you?
Here's a picture of the front of one of the research facilities and the luxury vehicle I drive around in. And of course a picture of me playing Scissor Gang Mafia with my $489,000 schillings. :-D
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6 comments:
Hi Gabrielle,
Concerning your possible new career path I alway knew whatever you choose to do you would make a difference and making a difference in a childs life is incredible. It sounds like I would starve there. Have you run out of Pringles yet? Is there junk food available?
Love Dad
Oooooh, that water drinking is going to catch up with you. Remember how it was with me in Germany after I drank some tap water? Listen to to your mother, "DON'T DRINK THE WATER!"
Love that classy Lexus knockoff you ride around in :)
Maybe I ought to come visit you so I can count on losing weight... instead of gaining it. I'd do another skydive, with a spider as a passenger, before I'd eat fishheads. Yuck! You're going to come home even skinnier than when you left (and yeah, I can hear you cheering).
Love,
Mom
Food isn't so bad here-- last night John cooked me a lovely beef and rice meal. And there are lots of fruits and vegetables: pineapple, mango, maize, tomato, carrot, pumpkin etc... I've only been through one can of Pringles.
Sounds like you're having a good time! I'm over April's house using her computer because my car got broken into tonight. I had to get it off the street.I was going to spend Saturday with the kitten but now I have to deal with this car situation, hopefully it won't take all day. Have a good weekend and try not to spend too much time in the head. DON'T DRINK THE WATER! ILY- Danny
Gabrielle,
Left a message on Dan's phone and I'm going over to take care of Shiva and Huxley right now. Don't worry....be happy (Man, I hate that Jamaican song.)
Love,
Mom (Sat. AM)
No, i wouldn't say you are SGM in that pic, more like a 30K millionaire, haha :) you sound like you are having such an amazing adventure,, I am actually jealous even though it is the farthest removed thing from my comfort level :)
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