Loooooonely, I’m Miss Lonelyyyyyyyyyyyy

This, of course, is absolutely not true. I’m definitely more of a people person, and after too much time alone I start to go a bit crazy. But to be honest, I’m quite content usually that I came here alone. There are pros and cons to traveling with someone else versus solo, but I’m grateful for man of the pros: mainly, be able to do whatever I want, when I want to without asking permission. It’s pretty great. That, and there is priceless satisfaction that comes when you successfully maneuver a complicated new situation all one your own (although one dare not get cocky as someone is probably lurking around the corner ready to steal your wallet!).

The downside of course, is that you’re very much alone. And you have to make friends, seriously—like, middle school cafeteria-style. Well, geez, nothing could be that bad. But you really do need to put yourself out there if you want to get anywhere. So I’ve been forcing myself to make that little bit of extra effort, even when I really don’t feel like it. I essentially invited myself on Pia and Mette’s chimp vacation, which they were actually totally happy about (I think it mixed up their doubles monotony!) and ended up having such a great time.
And, I’ve now been on not one, but two “blind dates” with someone who knows someone. And they’ve been pretty fun actually. When you just give yourself over to the fact that any muzungu here is a bit isolated in some sense just because they stand out, then it’s really pretty easy to connect with people. And you soon realize that everyone here knows everyone else—especially in the ex-pat community. I had dinner with a friend of a publishing friend of mine two weeks ago (thanks, Katherine!). She is living here with her husband who works for a foundation here and writing. We talked about New York and the food we missed there—there’s a lot! In the small world department, a woman who works for the ambassador who I had contacted about Yom Kippur services in Kampala also recommended that I get in touch with her when she heard I had been working in publishing in NY. Yep, already done that I said! Then last night, I had no plans, so I just texted this American girl who is volunteering through the same organization that Judy and Lew, the American couple who just left MPK, volunteered through. She has only been here one week, and so frankly, just being new to Kampala gives you plenty of material to talk about (and reminisce about the US ;) )

So, I’m getting the hang of this. It’s not easy at times, but it’s good practice for life really. And now, my housemate, Amy, has invited me along for a trip to Jinja—so of course I said yes! Have a great weekend!