Africa Reading Challenge - Mine Boy

Although I finished reading it some time ago – I have finally made time to review my first book in the Africa Reading Challenge…

Mine Boy
By Peter Abraham

Mine Boy is the story of Xuma, who comes from a village in the north to work the mines in an effort to find a better life. When he arrives in Johannesburg he is naïve, but quickly changes to adapt to the values of the underprivileged world in which he finds himself.

Leah, a tough woman who makes what money she can by selling illegal beer and avoiding capture by police, takes in Xuma and introduces him to the people who help him adjust to his new life. She is just one of many characters created by Abraham’s to show how people operate differently in that world.

Despite Xuma’s ability to adapt, he meets with obstacles and heartbreak at every turn, the woman he loves doesn’t return his affection as she wants the white person’s way of life. Someone close to Xuma dies. His job at the mine is threatened after an accident.

Through all of this Abraham is able to paint a picture of the resilience of the people who lived with constant discrimination during the apartheid regime.

Alright, I clearly suck at writing reviews so let me make a long story short. I really liked this book. To me, any good book is one I can’t put down because it pulls me in, I cry, laugh, and I am outraged. This book makes me feel all of it and despite it being fiction I come away feeling I have learned something. Therefore highly recommend it. And it’s a really short read – so you can’t go wrong.

100th Post

Apparently the last post was my 100th post. I feel like I should have something meaningful or exciting to say - I don't really, so here are a couple of photographs.

Public Health

I am a public health risk.

Last week my doctor had me submit several samples (actually I’ve never seen so many sterile containers in my life – a change from Uganda where they give you a film reel container).

We were going to find out what was wrong with me once and for all!

Results came back – I got my prescription.

Then the phone rang.

Public health was casually calling to asking me about my Campylobacter – you know where I got it, were other people at risk.

Nope, I told him he doesn’t have to worry; the people of Victoria are safe.

But, I understand the concern Campylobacter is supposed to be self limiting (that means goes away on its own). Looks like I’ve had it since January. Apparently eating raw meat in Ethiopia was a VERY bad plan.

Now, I’m on some pretty strong antibiotics for five days, and I’ll be back to normal – whatever THAT is.

Happy to be home?

“You must be glad to be home”

I respond with a weak smile.

“Are you glad to be home?”

Not really.

The truth?

I am happy to see my family. I am happy not to dial long distance to talk to my friends. But glad to be home? Not really.

After you live in a developing country something changes. And whatever it is I miss it.

Leaving Uganda...

I can't believe it, but it's true. My time in Uganda is coming to an end - very fast. In fact today. I really should start packing.

However that doesn't mean the end of the blog. Once I get home and stop crying long enough to actually be able to see my computer screen I will be posting again. A few more from Kampala, about what it's like to be home and the upcoming trip to the AIDS Conference in Mexico City.

So this is not goodbye, but see you soon.

Fish Friday

Every Friday since the end of March has involved a fish that has been grilled to perfection in a secret place with my two closest friends in Uganda.

We named it Fish Friday and it has been the site of joy, sorrow, birthdays, and celebrations.

Today I am breaking the first rule of Fish Friday – which is never to talk about Fish Friday. But, I feel the urge to share exactly how amazing a BBQ Nile perch can be!!

It comes with grilled matoke, and soda. You eat with your fingers, and it comes with the head, tail and all the fins still on.

I am not longer squimsh about eating things with eyes. In fact according to one of my friends the eyes are the best part – he also gets the ones from my fish.

This feast we keep on the down-low because it so cheap, and if word gets out, if the muzungus come the price will rise.

So each week we look forward to Friday, and this week we say goodbye. It is the last Fish Friday before I leave Uganda, and both my fish friends said it won’t be the same without me.

But for now I look forward to Friday, only two days left!

Murchison Falls

One of the reasons I have been bad with posting lately, aside from the fact I am going home soon and trying to wrap up my life here, is I was in Murchison Falls National Park.

While I could have done without the game drive – I am a bit spoilt post Serengeti – but the trip up the Nile to the bottom of the falls by boat was amazing. As was the view from the top.

After my short adventure, I have a few observations to make.

1. The hippopotamus is a huge animal. I mean absolutely massive.
2. The Nile crocodile can also grow to be huge, and I currently hold the belief that no reptile with that many teeth should be allowed to grow that big. And PS – to the boat driver, we really didn’t need to get that close
3. The Nile pushing itself through a 7m wide gorge, is very powerful, should not be tried in a barrel and is an amazing site to see.
4. Warthogs are kind of cute, when you watch them for long enough.
5. Rules in Uganda are so different than rules in North America. I was so close to the top of the falls, I would have found myself at the bottom if I had slipped – and I am a klutz.

Uganda Cranes

You win some and you loose some, and unfortunately for the Uganda Cranes they tend to lose more then they win.

But that doesn’t stop the fans.

Two weeks ago against Niger, we won and the crowd went crazy. It was a world cup qualifier and the noise was amazing.

Last week we played Benin, in Benin, and we lost – to the squirrels.

Indeed I think the Ugandan Insomniac is on to something when she said the names help. Uganda needs something tougher then the cranes, and Benin definitely needs something tougher than the squirrels.

No matter what I think of the name, the Cranes play again on Saturday, and I will be there to cheer them on.

Smarten Up...

To the people of South Africa,
Don't you remember what it was like to be mis-treated because of who you were? Why are you now doing it again?
Please stop.