tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-171995302011-04-22T07:21:01.525+07:00Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.comBlogger421100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1147611808494555352006-05-14T19:46:00.000+07:002006-05-14T20:03:28.510+07:00

This is it...my last day in Uganda.I returned "home" to Kampala last Friday after 2 weeks in Tanzania. While in TZ, I hit Zanzibar (Stonetown and the beautiful white sands of Nungwi up north), Dar Es Salaam and Arusha briefly and went on safari through Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Parks and the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. Needless to say, I have fallen in love with East Africa

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1145844290328521362006-04-24T14:59:00.000+07:002006-04-24T14:49:59.716+07:00

It's my last day in Bangkok and I'm finding it hard to believe that 3 and a half weeks can fly by in a flash. I've posted new photos, so I hope you enjoy my last set of Uganda photos.I'm heading out to Tanzania with Mike, Ricky and Kimberly where we'll visit Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar, do a camping safari in the Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater and hopefully survive the bus rides between Kampala and

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1145863229795560922006-04-24T08:40:00.000+07:002006-04-24T14:52:08.260+07:00

The beach of Phi Phi Island (same beach as "The Beach"...say that fast 10 times out loud)Tubkaak Resort in Krabi (the princess comes alive!!)Sunset at Tubkaak BeachDan and I are bubbleheads at Siam AquariumSpider crab in yo' face!At the UN Regional Centre in BangkokMy brother is UN-employed...get it?The UN tourist photo

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1145838887327729632006-04-24T08:22:00.000+07:002006-04-24T08:56:53.820+07:00

Graffiti telephones at Siam SquareHmmm...wonder if I can measure me eyes...?Escalators at Siam Paragon (the largest shopping mall in SE Asia)Dan and Art - the happy (engaged) couple...yeah, I know, really romantic photo taken in the grocery store! But check out the shtuff in their cart (was my first time in a grocery store in months!)Art + food = happinessLobby of cinema at Siam Paragon - yep,

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1145840587126670762006-04-24T07:48:00.000+07:002006-04-24T08:57:25.536+07:00

Boys hanging out at plumeria tree in RubingoCrystal clear reflection on Lake BunyonyiWater lily on Lake BunyonyiView from Bwama Island, Lake BunyonyiPurity playing with a drum (isn't she the cutest kid?)Ricky striking a pensive poseMama and moiJohn helping Liam and Rachel on the Canada House bikeMe with the mzee who made the grass mat I'm holdingHmmm...graphic design in Uganda is...well, graphic!

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1144282388583394412006-04-06T07:00:00.000+07:002006-04-06T07:16:00.396+07:00

For the time being, Bangkok...I know, I know...my blog is still called ruthinuganda, but to change it requires too much effort. Hmmm...whereintheworldisruth could be the name of my new blog? As I've been catching up with friends via email, I realized that I should put it out there that I'm no longer in Africa (boo hoo...at least I'm going back for two more weeks after Bangkok!).It's been a week

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1144004744384993892006-04-03T01:40:00.000+07:002006-04-03T02:05:44.403+07:00

One of the key areas of ACTS' work is in empowering local widows. In a region where land inheritance rights are passed down through the generations, widows may find themselves out of a home and with no land to work if their husband dies. They may have to take care of other children in addition to their own biological ones - children orphaned by AIDS or other illnesses.With some help from ACTS,

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1144002789569705002006-04-03T01:22:00.000+07:002006-04-03T01:33:09.596+07:00

One of the memorable parts of living in the village was driving the dirt roads and experiencing bumps, thuds and oofs I've never had before in Canada.Once you get off the major road running down past Mbarara from Kampala to head into my village, you leave behind all traces of tarmac (or asphalt). The dirt roads are susceptible to erosion from heavy rainfall and some areas have piles of murram (

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1144002150635898072006-04-03T01:12:00.000+07:002006-04-03T01:40:06.183+07:00

Work, work, work...Many hands make potting work easier.Sorghum: an important cash crop in the area.A simple mud hut is home for most of the villagers.Papyrus reeds and eucalyptus poles used to construct a mud hut.The hills of Bugamba sub-county.Dirty feet after a long day walking around the village.Early morning mist viewed from my camp.Amatafari or bricks are made by arranging them to form a

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1144001471456958352006-04-03T01:00:00.000+07:002006-04-03T01:11:11.476+07:00

What is uploading pictures without some focus on moi? Haha...Hard at work in my tent.Tata Jotham and me at the fish-farming workshop.Mama Jovanice and me in our demonstration garden at the camp - it's the first garden I've ever made! I'm holding a bunch of carrots - very yummy when you eat them straight out of the ground (of course, washing first is good too!).Late night antics with Kimberly.

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1144000611659098122006-04-03T00:37:00.000+07:002006-04-03T02:31:30.713+07:00

The children I met in the village were some of the most beautiful and endearing little beings ever. Saffy (above, with Jovanice) has the most beautiful eyes and the funniest laugh (she'll laugh on command if you've given her a sweetie!). Bright and Praise (below) are two albino children who live in Byanamira cell and always ran up to me fearlessly whenever I swung by to buy sodas at DK's.These

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1143999411031814462006-04-03T00:31:00.000+07:002006-04-03T00:36:51.046+07:00

Now is the best time to post the ditty I sang whenever I ate mandazi in the village...*sigh* I miss them already. They are deep-fried balls of dough, essentially. We perfected the method of mixing cinnamon and sugar in a bowl and pressing a freshly fried mandazi ball in them to imitate cinnamon-sugar Timbits. Mmmm...Ode to MandaziMandazi, mandazi, oh how I love youYou're round and golden,

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1143999002817638192006-04-03T00:05:00.000+07:002006-04-03T02:07:48.420+07:00

Wow...uploading pictures here in Bangkok is a breeze! This is great...no more waiting one or two hours to upload one posting's worth...The one thing I didn't anticipate adding to my CV was fish-net alteration skills! Here I am at Canada House in Mbarara, sewing a rope and floats onto seine netting that will eventually end up with a local fish farmer. It fascinates me how such simple technology

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1143997474066243602006-04-02T23:44:00.000+07:002006-04-03T00:04:34.080+07:00

From the dusty streets of Kampala to the high-tech glamour of Bangkok...I adore travelling and the juxtapositions one can experience in the span of 48 hours.I'm now sitting in my brother's apartment off Sukhamvit Road in Bangkok and enjoying the convenience of constant electricity, air conditioning and wireless internet. I still have African dirt in my toes (yes, you can loudly ewwww me on that)

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1141916723942285572006-03-09T21:55:00.000+07:002006-03-09T22:22:10.173+07:00

Argh...it has taken me an hour and a half to upload the last posting, and I couldn't get this picture up the last time. Grrrr...But golden honey, oh so yummy and so sweet, what a treat! Yeah, yeah, I'm a little stir-crazy here. Hmmm...I should probably post my Ode to the Mandazi (fried dough ball)...Mmmm...my stomache is calling and asking to be filled with supper. So, off I go...

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1141055353811220192006-02-27T22:46:00.000+07:002006-04-03T02:09:06.323+07:00

How ironic that the first posting showing pictures of my work comes towards the end of my time here. Nevertheless, I hope these pictures give you an idea of what agricultural development is like in the Rubingo community and exactly how dirty I've been getting (*grin*). I "supervise" the Kamomo Environment Group, which was formed five years ago with the help of ACTS. One of their primary

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1140796963657102662006-02-24T22:47:00.000+07:002006-02-24T23:02:43.670+07:00

The first multi-party elections in the past 25 years took place in Uganda on February 23. We (ACTS people) were concerned about possible flare-ups of civil unrest and are watching the ballot-counting process with a wary eye. But, so far, so good. The local papers are proclaiming a peaceful election process and I haven't heard of any violence happening in Mbarara-town (where I am currently

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1140796062194464252006-02-24T22:40:00.000+07:002006-02-24T22:47:42.196+07:00

I think this picture deserves its own posting...Vogue in Rubingo village!!! My parents brought me several issues when we met up in Kampala. I devoured them in one sitting (ode to Wendy L in NYC!). Thank you, Ben and Aunty Susanna!

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1140707027236023602006-02-23T21:41:00.000+07:002006-04-03T02:10:55.363+07:00

In January, my parents visited me in Kampala and I was able to truly splash out like a princess for the first time in Uganda (you'll see...). It was a timely visit, just after the mid-point of my internship here and a great time to catch up on what's going on with my family. And I finally started using my digital camera, so these are actually my pictures :)Here I am at the "source" of the Nile

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1136908255148100192006-01-10T22:43:00.000+07:002006-04-03T02:11:18.920+07:00

(courtesy of Ricky Tang)Welcome to Rwanda... Les pays des milles collines (the land of a thousand hills)...extensively terraced and densely populated. Sunrise over Lake Kivu (at Kibuye)An extra helmut for the passenger! Safe boda-boda'ing in Kigali......as evidenced by Kimberly's relief and enthusiasm. Pigging out on pate and fresh bread on the way to Gitarama. Ricky proudly displaying his

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1136907789299635092006-01-10T22:40:00.000+07:002006-04-03T02:11:39.563+07:00

Hmmm...for some reason, this picture wouldn't load on my last post. In any case, here we are, enjoying a candlelit Christmas dinner.

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1136902854401435572006-01-10T21:10:00.000+07:002006-04-03T02:15:24.780+07:00

(courtesy of Ricky Tang & Stu Finn) Ahhh...what is Christmas without a bamboo tree? These ornaments were created on Christmas eve out of newspaper and tinfoil...hey, necessity is the mother of invention! Freddy or Eddy? Yep, I named the two chickens I bought for Christmas dinner. Here's Ricky (in a ridiculously short tie that we all ribbed him about) holding one of our fowl friends.The beloved

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1136901142859249612006-01-10T20:43:00.000+07:002006-01-10T20:52:22.876+07:00

I'm not one for plugging products or hyping things unless I really like them. And I really like Skype.During my masters, it allowed me to chat for hours with my brother Dan (in Bangkok) for hours on end while I was supposed to be writing my thesis. For free! Granted, the transmission quality wasn't as good then as it is now.Two days ago, I was sitting in our office tent out in the village (

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1136381968125975532006-01-04T20:06:00.000+07:002006-01-04T20:39:28.140+07:00

I love writing on my blog when I'm faced with writing as many words to describe my adventures without having the bloody internet time run out on me. Argh...the pain of dial-up connection in Uganda!Nevertheless, dear reader, I trudge on, because I know that you love reading about my (mis)adventures ;PSo...Part 2 commences (although without pictures and in point form due to time restrictions).

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1136296348091412032006-01-03T20:32:00.000+07:002006-04-03T02:14:33.916+07:00

I've noticed that the majority of my postings are all about me (and why not?) but I want to share some pics of Johnson and Judy, two very cool people. Ok, ok, I know...I'm in 2/3 of the pics, but what can I do...?Johnson - the man of endless proverbs. Kimberly and I have a series of belly laughs with (and at) him on a daily basis. Laughter is truly the best medicine. Those are his two kids

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1136293950388719492006-01-03T19:23:00.000+07:002006-01-03T20:18:21.756+07:00

As promised, the adventures of the Princess really pooping out... on the Nile.Presented here are pictures and accompanying thoughts that I had while trying (bravely and barely) to survive...Ruth's White-Water Rafting Adventure on the Nile River! "What a beautiful day! I'm so excited to be on holidays and ready to raft the Nile! Hmmm...I wonder if this helmet meets any safety standards...?" "What.

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1136201896867337052006-01-02T18:32:00.000+07:002006-01-02T18:38:16.880+07:00

I just wanted to drop a quick note to wish you all a happy new year! I hope that the Christmas holidays were restful and relaxing (and waistline-expanding). ;)It's back to work for me (already have meetings lined up tomorrow...ah...the joys of investigating Uganda's agricultural modernisation program and how it trickles down to the village level...). BUT, as I had promised in December, I will

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1135415878923076152005-12-24T16:04:00.000+07:002005-12-24T16:17:58.943+07:00

It's Christmas Eve and I am surfing the web trying to download recipes for Christmas dinner! I am a domestic goddess in Uganda :)I hope most of you are enjoying your holidays and time spent with friends and family. I'm doing the family and friends bit, with "family and friends" being my teammates and Ugandan workmates. I'm really looking forward to it, and the fact that I'll be sweating on

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1134823331090744052005-12-17T19:28:00.000+07:002005-12-17T19:42:11.103+07:00

Hi everyone! It's finally the holidays for me and I can feel the stress just draaaaaining off my shoulders. I love the fact that I can enjoy the holiday season without annoying Christmas mall music and seasonal advertisements jumping out at me to buy the latest doo-dad for what's-his/her-name.I wish I had something more exciting to say about myself at the moment, but all I have to write is that

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1133099953166881062005-11-27T20:19:00.000+07:002005-11-27T20:59:13.176+07:00

I've just returned from a weekend away with the team, where we stayed on Bushara Island and visited with Brad, Stacy and Amanda. The island is located in Lake Bunyonyi, which is supposed to be one of the deepest freshwater lakes in Africa.Let me just say that my Princess sensibilities were unleashed during the weekend! Kimberly and I shared the Whydah Tree House (which is really like living

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1132748091982695472005-11-23T19:11:00.000+07:002005-11-23T19:43:38.453+07:00

If you’ve been paying attention to my sidebar info, you’ll notice that I’ve acquired a new mobile number (on the Celtel network) which is also my primary mobile number. I’ve also picked up a new mobile phone, the Nokia 1100 (yeah, yeah…it’s not fancy – Dan, again! – but it does what it should) which enables me to receive calls and text messages while I’m in the village (yay!). So you can send

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1132747485180509442005-11-23T19:08:00.000+07:002005-11-23T19:54:13.670+07:00

My blog (fondly abbreviated as MOCP) has been a fun medium through which to release some of my thoughts, mindfarts and other inanities into cyberspace, to be enjoyed by friends and strangers alike. So far, MOCP has been a reflection of the hilarity and adventures that I’ve been lucky to experience. Having been sick the past weekend, I’ve spent plenty of time alone and not running around –

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1132409399530573892005-11-19T21:05:00.000+07:002005-11-19T21:09:59.530+07:00

Just a note of apology to those whose graphic design sensibilities (Dan!) are offended by my previous posting's lack of formatting. When you're on dial-up in Africa, what you get is what you get the first time around. C'est la vie. Besides, you get the pics in their full glory! ;P

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1132406442630242622005-11-19T19:33:00.000+07:002006-01-10T22:38:31.946+07:00

While I upload these pics, I am listening to Shania Twain. In Mbarara. I kid you not (the idiosyncracies of manufactured Western pop music being played in the distant corners of East Africa...)!Well, in an effort to keep your eyes glued to my blog (and not straying to Stu or Brad & Stacy's blogs...) here are some more pics of moi (but OF COURSE, thanks for the reminder, Stu: they are copyrighted

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1130835208412382972005-11-01T15:50:00.000+07:002005-11-01T15:53:28.413+07:00

I'm leaving today to return to the villages in Rubingo Parish and back to my safari tent home. I hope you've enjoyed my recent postings...don't fear, many more misadventures will ensue in the next three weeks, I'm sure! So stay tuned, as I will be heading to Kabale-town and Lake Bunyonyi at the end of November, where I will seek out internet connections to keep you entertained with my November

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1130760821035712672005-10-31T18:53:00.000+07:002006-04-03T02:22:14.206+07:00

Finally, here are some pictures to enjoy (courtesy of Stu Finn)!The ACTS team in Comox, British Columbia during our week of orientation. Top row (LtoR): Mike, Phillip, Richard, Stu. Middle: Brad, Kimberly, Christa, Ricky. Front: Ida, Stacy, Amanda, meee! The ACTS team at the equator on the way to Mbarara. A typical Ugandan meal: The yellow stuff is matooke, the purple is g-nut (groundnut) sauce,

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1130755624602545342005-10-31T17:46:00.000+07:002005-10-31T18:22:29.683+07:00

I was brainstorming in preparation for writing my blog and the following things just poured out of my head. Really, there is nothing wrong with me...the Lariam is really not making me insane! Enjoy the following bouts of silliness of the Rubingo crew! Bowel movements: everyone seems like they are trying to regulate themselves – CONSTIPATION EXHILARATION SEIZES THE NATION IN OUR FRUSTRATION

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1130755583586675852005-10-31T17:11:00.000+07:002005-10-31T18:10:35.483+07:00

This morning, I had sour cream and chive-flavoured Pringles for breakfast. Yesterday and the day before, I was able to cook whatever I wanted for dinner. Ahhh…the luxury of having a mini-break! This is the third day into my six day break from working in the villages of Rubingo Parish. I’m supposed to be doing some work-related research and reporting, but so far have not mustered up any

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1130421432709310862005-10-27T20:43:00.000+07:002005-10-27T20:57:12.733+07:00

If you heard a sigh of relief, it was the sound that escaped from me after I bit into a big juicy hamburger today at the Agip Motel Restaurant. Yum...cow never tasted so good as it did today!This posting is a short one, to announce my arrival back in civilization (known as Mbarara-town) after almost three weeks living in rural Rubingo Parish. I'll be connected to the internet and be able to use

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1128606924066482942005-10-06T20:12:00.000+07:002005-10-06T20:55:24.073+07:00

It's really hard to believe that I've been in Uganda for only three days...I was writing an email to ACTS' director and was trying to figure out how long I had been here. Two weeks? One week? Three DAYS!Today was quite an eventful day. The highlight was driving for the first time on an African road, on a manual pickup truck that had absolutely no power-steering (Yulia, worse than anything

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1128129653413697862005-10-01T07:35:00.000+07:002005-10-01T08:20:53.420+07:00

Well, well...if it isn't the day before I ship out (literally) and get on my way to Uganda. After a week of intense orientation, I can say that I have an elevator speech ready about what I will be doing in Uganda. In a nutshell, I'm going to be working with locals in the Rubingo village-area to develop cash crops (neem, vanilla, moringa etc.) and freshwater fish farming (tilapia), and to promote

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17199530.post-1127859049897610372005-09-28T04:51:00.000+07:002005-09-28T05:10:49.903+07:00

Today is the first day I am posting a blog message...finally, into the 21st century I come! Here I am, in beautiful downtown Courtenay, British Columbia, sitting in the Cardero Internet Cafe. I've been harrassing my teammates, Stu and Brad, to help me set up my very first blog (I should give shoutouts to their blogs, which contain MUCH more information than mine at the moment...). Why, you ask,

Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00654808886180772036noreply@blogger.com10