Drilling update

So the drilling hasn't gone very smoothly so far. At all. In fact, it has been a bit frustrating, but I'm still thankful I get to be a part of it. It's definitely a unique job when I realize that the majority of the work I end up doing in such a large project such as this is sitting in the shade of a tree and praying all day long.

So, here's some issues. Join us.

Water quality - it's not very good yet. This is a potential problem with all new water sources, but not very common. We've had to delay the second half of the installation (installing the handpump) so they can treat the water and fix the turbidity issues. I remember the turbidity warnings we'd get back in BC. Suffice to say, that was nothing:

From Drilling Update

Stupididity

Stupid turbidity.

Also, water quantity - surveys are only so accurate. This one said there would be lots of water, but so far not so much. There's more than enough for any human to be able to pump out, but we were hoping for more. Then again, it's the dry season, so hopefully things get better when the rains come again. In two months.

From Drilling Update

Drilling complete, now doing some pump testing to see how much water is down there

From Drilling Update

Ugh

Drilling!

We're drilling again. I'm taking a quick break from the action for lunch. Probably about 40 metres down so far, so pray for water if you see this before we finish! Stay tuned (next update will probably be tuesday)

From Drop Box

Yummy Matooke

So we definitely eat our fair share of Ugandan food – whether it be for staff lunch, at people’s homes or eating out at the local restaurant. If it has been a while since we sank our teeth into it - we actually crave it. Here are some photos of Matooke – one of the staple foods. Matooke is a plant that looks much like a banana, but has an extremely hard interior that requires it to be boiled for a long time before being edible. It’s served in banana leaves and is it ever filling!
-Jamie

From Matooke

Matooke being peeled. It's very sappy so you have to oil up with Mukwano (translated - "friendship") cooking oil first

From Matooke

Mmmmmmmatooke

From Matooke

And this is peeled matooke

Luganda Language Lesson
Ok, since we've thrown a few Luganda words in our posts recently, here's a very quick language lesson.
a = "ah"
e = "ay" ... or "eh" I guess
i = "ee"
o = "oh"
u = "oo!"

And just to keep you on the right track with the language - Luganda, the main local language where we are, has a funny little rule that will (ok, it might not) blow your mind. Double vowels = stress that syllable. So, where you might be tempted to call it "Ma-too-kee" like it would be pronounced in ye olde english, it's "Mah-TOH-kay." Now you too can get by in Uganda about as proficiently as I can!

Webale kasiima (thanks for appreciating),
-Sean

Sipi Falls (Time Away – not as grand as Niagara Falls but it was Ugandan grand)

My mom told me that we only have 104 weekends and to make the most of it. So, with this in mind, we try to see as much of Uganda as we can. In May we made quite the drive to see the eastern part of the country – 8 hours of driving! We went with Rachel and Cheryl (Cheryl was visiting Kibaale for a week) and it was so much fun! We hiked to three different waterfalls, went swimming in a swim hole (maybe this is why Sean is sick), slept two nights in a cool hut and ate some great food! Next adventure is South Western Uganda for Sean’s Birthday!
-Jamie

From Sipi Falls

Pay as you go... they accept blood and sweat

From Sipi Falls

The hut we all slept in. Like a Ugandan yurt, except not at all

From Sipi Falls

The beginning of our "half hour" (actually 3 hour) hike

From Sipi Falls

Kids looking on from the top of a cliff

From Sipi Falls

One of three sets of water falls. These are just over 97 meters high

From Sipi Falls

Real men hike in polyester sweaters!

From Sipi Falls

Jamie on the edge of a cliff. There is a guy abseiling from the top of the waterfall in this photo which you can't see