So after patiently, but anxiously, waiting to hear our site annoucements, our Peace Corps Training group finally knows! Seven weeks ago, each trainee was placed in a language group according to which districts Peace Corps planned to place them. I was placed in the Runyoro/Rutorro group with four others. The Lake Albert region is 300 miles long and spans the west of the country. We could have been posted near or outside one of the three main towns within the region: Masindi (north), Hoima (central), Fort Portal (south). It turns out four members of the group, including me, will be calling Masindi Town our home for the next two years! The other member of our group will be working out of Fort Portal.

I could not be happier about my placement. Even though it is quite hot in northwestern Uganda, my home (Masindi) is absolutely gorgeous. It is a mid-size town of 15,000, which has been called the siloh of Uganda, since the agriculture output is enough to feed the whole country. A flat city, surrounded by mountains in the distance, it's lush with tall pines and even cactus. The sun is hot and intense even during this wet season. I'd like to say it is one of the, if not THE most beautiful part of Uganda, but I haven't yet seen much of the country, so perhaps that statement is a bit premature.

I had my site visit to Masindi last week to meet staff at the organization where I will be working, and also to settle details regarding my living arragements. The NGO is a microlending institution called ENCOT (amazing!), which focuses mainly on agricultural loan products to women in the industry. My job description isn't fully developed, but I suspect it will be within a couple of months as I learn more about my organization, and my supervisor learns more about my skill-set. At this point, my job title is "Business Development".... at least that's what my business cards will say...

My living arragements seem very promising, too. I am going to be living in town, not far from my office. It is a two room dwelling with the latrine and washing facilities outside. My front room, which will be my kitchen/living room, opens to a gorgeous little courtyard where I can wash and hang my laundry. My back room is a little larger and has a double door which opens to a porch and an absolutely breathtaking view of Uganda. There is one landform in particular that I love and have a great view of. It's a mesa of sorts that juts up from the ground and stands single and proud :-) So far I feel very positive about the next two years. FYI, Masindi is staging point for tourists visiting Murchison Falls....all the more reason for friends to come and visit :) Also, the west (south) is host to the Rwenzori Mountain range, which is considered to be an even more spectacular hike than Mt. Kilamanjaro! Don't know if it's true, but I have seen pictures and think it would be a great 5 or so day side trip.

When I get to my site, I plan to purchase an a modem stick, so my internet communication will be much more regular and I can send out emails frequently. Well this is it for now, my friends. I will be leaving for my new site in a couple of weeks, so ciao! Love ya'll.

Hey all! I'm finally here and actually posting something, too :-) This entry will be a huge summary of what's been happening since I arrived....

My flight from Philly to Jo'burg to Entebbe was, well, very long. In total, it lasted a little over 24 hours. Our Peace Corps group, about 45 strong, settled into Lweza Conference Center (basically a home compound protected with shrieking, howling dogs) in Uganda, quite nicely for about 5 days as we acclimated to our surroundings. There we began to receive information about what the next couple months would look like, Peace Corps mission and goals, as well as a follow up conversation regarding our medical files, and a crash course in survival Luganda . We also played a lot of volleyball and frisbee.

About two weeks ago, we travelled to Wakiso Town to begin our official training, which lasts about 10 weeks. It's been heavy on the language....on average about 3-5 hours a day. I've been placed in the language group that is learning Runyoro-Rootoro, which means I know that i'll be placed in the western/central region, somewhere along the Lake Albert area. This is pretty exciting, if for no other reason, it's surrounded by most of the country's national parks. I'm currently staying with a host family in Gombe Village and walk or ride a bike to class everyday. I have to say, I feel so fortunate, because my walk to school is like a short, beautiful hike every morning....Monday-Saturday. I will post pics at some point...don't worry!

Training has been very intense. Monday-Saturday 8-5pm is not something i'm used to. But all this preparation will all be worth it when I get to my site. The Peace Corps Trainees i'm training with are great, and we've had the opportunity to meet some of the current volunteers. All of them have great things to say about their experience. I am almost running out of time, and will try to post something soon. I love you all. Take care. Aregnaz

I like my fair share of poppy hip hop, and of course have considered the thought of 27 months without access to the familiar rhythms and melodies I adore. I'm considering a couple options to ensure I don't go without my hip hop for too long: I can either load my mp3 player (which I still need to purchase) with good ol american hip hop music, or I can just wait till I get in-country and purchase some local stuff. But homegrown hip hop in Uganda? Hip hop is American, not Ugandan. Uganda is halfway across the world, 8,800 miles to be more exact, and in spite of this distance, the music had found its way there and in a big way. Some songs sound more like American hip hop, while others blend the local and global. Here are a couple of my favs....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpqSavLJz9o&feature=PlayList&p=18064FF01609FBE3&playnext_from=PL&index=28&playnext=3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DD3g446DJE&feature=PlayList&p=18064FF01609FBE3&playnext_from=PL&index=27&playnext=2

As I was perusing the official 'welcome book' for Uganda, I came across the "good things to have people send you, in addition to letters". The list included:

Coffee

Tea

Magazines

Granola Bars

Tuna

...

Tuna?

But what if I don't like tuna?

This past year (well, since August 13, 2009, to be exact), is when my journey to becoming an official Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) began. I can't tell you how many times I logged into my PC account to check on any status changes. Slowly, but surely I saw check marks next to items that previously were incomplete; legal, check; dental, check; medical, check; and placement? Yup, check.

My initial interview (did I mention that was almost a year ago?) brought about a nomination to the Caucasus, leaving in September. Had I thought then to heed the advice of past volunteers to NOT expect placement in that same region, I would have NOT been surprised when the placement desk told me two weeks ago that my nomination to the Caucasus had fallen through...ah sigh and cry.

Fast forward to yesterday, when I spoke to my Placement Officer, who gave me the good news. Uganda it would be. Leaving August 9th! Could I be happier? Hmmmmmm, no.