Settling in

Power in Mbarara is present most nights, however frequently cuts out during the afternoon and early evening filling the air with the noise and smell of portable generators for those who can afford to buy and run them. Saying that we are sat here writing this during a particular prolonged blackout period, as we are equipped with electric cookers it makes meal times rather challenging on the inspiration front!

We have settled in well and are proud at how homely we have made our flat, with a few borrowed pieces from the empty flat downstairs and plenty of fabric from the market. The human brain is amazing, and although the volume of traffic along the road outside remains the same, it no longer seems quite as loud as when we first arrived. In fact we barely notice it anymore.

Our block of flats, ours is the first floor on the right.

Within a couple of days and armed with our neighbour’s directions we have discovered our main source of fruit and veg, a local dairy and small bakery – one of the few sources of non-sweet bread. Pearl, the main supermarket (envisage corner store) in town provides for other requirements. We have embraced our ingredient list of tomatoes, avocado, pumpkin, banana and passion fruit, with pasta, rice and ‘Irish’ to accompany them. We have become quite skilled at roast pumpkin, guacamole and salsa but welcome any culinary pearls of wisdom...I should explain ‘Irish’ is the term used to differentiate normal from sweet potatoes – and before anyone says anything Irish are the normal ones!

We met with our supervisor for the second time on Monday. He has become quite keen that we gain medical board registration before we commence any clinical duties. In the meantime we agreed to a tour of the hospital and planning the first of our SAFE follow up visits while he helps process the paperwork in Kampala, which has had a few hiccups but now seems to be sorted. All fingers crossed.