Hi everyone! Since we had positive feedback
about the individual comments last time, let's do it again. On Monday and
Tuesday, we visited the Makerere University Walter Reed Project Diagnostics,
Processing, and Flow Cytometry Labs, the Microbiology Lab in Mulago Hospital,
and the Quality Chemicals Headquarters.
Here are some thoughts about our days and our
time so far in Uganda from Jeff, Linnea, and Anna.
We divided between two
groups and visited the labs. It was interesting seeing a lot of very similar
equipment to those we have used in the states, specifically at Macalester in my
personal experience. I was curious where all the equipment came from and I
looked around all of the labs and saw many different places within the US
including MN. The HIV counselor was amazing and was an experience I wouldn't
trade for anything in the world.
My group had the benefit of
Professor Hoye's photography skills the first day and Professor Overvoorde's
video camera the second day. So be prepared for many photos of varying degrees
of awkward, at least concerning myself.
The first few days have
been amazing and outside of the slight jetlag, I wouldn't change a thing. It has
been interesting living with Charlie, Selam and Waruiru. I thought the
temperature would be a lot worse then it is, so that has been a definitive
positive.
I have loved how much closer our
group has become and I have learned more about this group then I ever knew
possible. From getting up and talking about my favorite authors with professors
at 5 am local time when we couldn't sleep, to seeing Allison's skills at
crossword puzzles and logic puzzles, to Anna's knowledge of flow cytometry, to
Professor Overvoorde's and Professors Hoye's senses of humor. I have valued this time more then I thought possible and
I am truly thankful for this opportunity. I miss everyone back home, but I'm
having a great time.
-Jeff
Our lab visits today proved
that science nerds exist all over the world! It was really fun to hear about
the passion and commitment these professionals have to research and
medicine. Outside of our lab visits and tour of quality chemicals,
driving around Kampala has been one of the favorite parts of the trip.
There is so much to take in and the streets and people are always
changing. There are so many boda-bodas! Women ride them sideways, very
impressive. Joseph, our driver, has been a great tour guide and helped us
navigate for the last couple of days. I am looking forward to rounding
with the infectious disease unit tomorrow and visiting the vet labs.
-Linnea
I have really enjoyed the van rides between the complex where we
stay, Mulago hospital and our other destinations (grocery store, mall, etc). I
am so unused to always seeing people outside working and
socializing. Butchers hang their meat in the entrance to their shop and
chop away at daunting slabs of meat. There are always people walking along the
shoulder of the road, in traditional Ugandan dresses, in suits, in slacks.
Sometimes I have seen men walk arm in arm. Packs of boda-boda drivers when not
buzzing around the roads with customers trailing clouds of black smoke, cluster
in alcoves sometimes fixing their machines and other times just reclining on
their motorcycles chatting. And there are just so many people at shops who are
not actually shopping around. For
example, there was a row of men sitting on a bench in a store front just
enjoying the day. I hardly ever see that in the US. Also every space is being
used. The shops are closely packed together, and yet somehow people find more
space to sell other things as well. What normally are strips of grass along the
road, are transformed into garden shops where potted plants, trees and lawn
carvings of elephants are sold. And it is wonderful.
The strange thing about walking around here is that for the first
time as I absorb what is around me by trying to stare at everything at once, I
am also being watched, and it is not an exaggeration often to say by almost
everyone on the street. For the first time, I never can escape from the tourist
label. At times it is exhausting since I am so much more aware of myself and it
is often hard to read the thoughts behind peoples blank faces but also because
of that I am constantly evaluating my purpose and my presentation and I think
that is helpful.
I am excited as always for tomorrow. I am constantly learning new
things and seeing new BIRDS! Everyone on the trip is baring through my extreme
enthusiasm about seeing new birds like for example, I ran around exclaiming
about a new eagle I saw when our tour of the outside of Quality Control
Chemicals. (What can I say? It had amazing plumage on its head). I still get a
kick out of the Plantain Eaters here which are like our crows (all black but
with a white patch on the breast) except they make the noise “Ha Ha” causing me
to also laugh out loud.
-Anna
It’s much too late and we’re off to bed, but
look forward to some pictures and comments on our first group presentation
tomorrow!
Much love,
PIGH
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