Mmmm... Grasshopper Season!

I lied! You're getting another blog sooner than I predicted!

I am in Masaka this evening. I am staying in the nicest place yet, and somehow still paying less than I did for the Mulago Guest House! For about 23$ a night I have my own room, mozzie net, AC, satellite TV, carpeted, not a single bug (other than the grasshopper that somehow made it into my bag from the lake), a shower with curtain (1st shower curtain I have seen since I arrived!), and a full length mirror! There are even 52" flat screens in the restaurant! I kind of want to stay!

Hotel Brovad, Masaka

The give you an idea of the height of these Marabou storks...

Ankole cattle on the way to the hospital from the hotel.

So my stay at the Lake was not as relaxing as expected. It remained overcast the whole time and only for a few hours it was warm enough to be in short sleeves. The vervet monkeys woke me up quite early. It's apparently fun to run along tin roofs while people sleep beneath them! Also, my driver ended up staying there since it was out of the way. I felt somewhat pressed today to leave so he wouldn't be just waiting on me. I can't really get used to that idea. So I left midday. Oh well! At least on the ride there I got to see a dozen zebras, just hanging out with the Ankole cows, and a family of mongoose ( I even saw a few more today on my walk). And the impending storm this morning made for good pictures!

This morning's view

Last evening's view

What should have my lakeside workstation for today!

As I was leaving the lake today, one of the workers approached me with some local food. November, especially late November, is grasshopper season! One can buy them cooked or live on the side of the road easily. However, you can also fetch the kids to go catch some, or as I am told, put a bowl underneath a light outside. Once the grasshoppers crowd the light, throw a blanket over them. They all fall into the bowl. To cook them, first remove all legs and wings. Throw them into a piping hot pan, no oil needed, and cook for about thirty minutes until there are a nice yellow brown. I sampled one. It wasn't bad. Kind of like a french fry or a fried sardine. After she insisted I take a handful with me, I politely ate a second one and at that point my brain said "no more". Once in the car, I had a bite of chocolate to wash it down. Again, a mental need, as it really did taste just fine. As Nathan will tell you, eating anything whole with eyes still on it is difficult for me, but hey! it's a local delicacy so I ate it!

This is the grasshopper from my bag... not for eating as I killed it, but they are about 2-3 inches long and fly quite far!

On arriving in Masaka, I explored the area, walking to the hospital and around it. It was of typical structure, many one story buildings, but much nicer than the others it seems. Manicured laws, a gorgeous private ward that looks like a hotel, and lots of newly constructed buildings. I will see the inside of them tomorrow when I meet Dr. Semagala, the ortho surgeon here.

Before I head off for bed, one more funny and interesting characteristic about the Ugandans. Ugandans are the best "loaders" I have ever seen!
Whether they load bananas, sticks or 9 clay pots on their heads.... while walking or dancing!
or bananas, wheelbarrows, full size mirrors, doors, 10 ft poles, or a family of 4 plus luggage on a boda-boda....
or multiple sacs of charcoal falling out of trunk, a family of 6, and maybe a suitcase on the roof into one sedan...
or a half dozen cows and maize, two dozen pigs, infinite cases of bottles, all topped off with extra bananas or sacs tied to the siding of a large truck...
Ugandans can sure pack it on! And somehow things don't seem to fall off! (much...)

6 or so Ankole cows, brush, and bananas in one load! Yikes!

When I master the skill, I will be sure to pass it on. In the meantime, I'll stick to my backpack...

I also updated the map from the first blog with the areas I have been, and will probably be going to.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=111798946089763601626.000492f91c30f37ac67da

Good night to everyone, and thanks so much to everyone who has written or commented. I love the communication!

Love,
Maryse