Friday, July 3
We took the land cruiser (the vehicle of choice in this country) to town. With the introduction and wedding quickly approaching, the couple has lots of errands to do. In order to avoid traffic jams, crossing the street and long and expensive parking excursions, they took us along to many of the spots. First we went to the tailors. Fozia is a great gal who does beautiful work. She has fashion shows and makes majestic Indian clothing. She told me some of the women get 5-7 outfits for the wedding, all more immaculate than the other. The more money one has, the more they will want to show it off. So we went to size Grace for her introduction/wedding outfit. It’s a lovely gold with red embroidery. Embroidery is the fashion and so intricate here. While we waited and looked around, I came upon this shirt that has leather weaving, beads, and beautiful blue colors. I kept looking at it and wondering if it could be mine. I eventually tried it on which concluded in an exchange of money and wares.
Following this stop and quick stop buy the photographer through the government district, we got to the real market. The government, Aid, and embassy buildings were all pretty elaborate, or at least compared to the country’s average standard of living. I know this has to be the way, but the juxtaposition within the same city is hard to comprehend and swallow. Jordan found a parking spot on a round-about for which he bartered the price with 4 different guys. From there we strapped our bags carefully around us and went to get sized. We picked out a fabric of choice and then negotiated a price. Jordan is very good at that so I’m glad we were there. Jami and I decided early that we would be in different colors, blue and green to avoid matching gomesi(a customary dress for women with flowing fabric and big puffy sleeves) being confused as twins. Sisters maybe but not nalongo (twins).
nakato (Younger twin) and babirye (older twin), this time. (Kato and wasswa.- the words for boy twins. I hope this has been eduacational.)
We walked back through the crowded bustling streets where they drive on the leftish, yell all over the place, suck in nasty diesel fumes and pass alongside, taxi and person, close enough to kiss each other.
Transportation has been interesting but not altogether unpleasant. After finishing our shopping excursions, we grabbed a taxi which looks like a van and holds at least 15 people. Seatbelts are unheard of, enough room is also rare. This time we had 18 I think. The taxis work like buses in that they take a certain route and a person finds the right taxi to take. The vehicles are all parked, jammed in this one lot where a person goes to find a ride. Once the taxi is full, off it goes. Don’t be on a schedule because stops might be frequent and departure time is unknown. Certainly not NYC. So we rode to our area for $1.50 for the three of us. A real steal I think since it was a good 5-7 miles. From there Grace got us boda bodas to ride. I’m so thankful we went with her because as I told Jami earlier, I did not have the guts to ride one, or at least not the guts to carry out the transaction. I know I need to get over that. Lord help me. But Grace had a friend who hooked us up and we rode all the way home. She and I were on one and Jami rode by herself. What with her Mt. Dew, bag and awkward balance, she was excited and proud to get home in one piece. I told a new African friend when he came about our experience on the boda bodas and he was quite impressed with our courage and adventurous nature, I think. Me too. The drivers did well to avoid the pot holes, take the bumps slowly and get us there in one piece. Good fun for sure. Oh and along the road down town one can learn how to speak several languages. Jambo. Hello. Oli otiya. Agandi. Yoga (pronounced yon ga for the Indians).
Crazy and educational- the best kind of learning.
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