Getting stopped by two soldiers armed with machine guns and being threatened with jail time was to me one of the funniest things I've ever experienced. Let me explain.
On a day trip to Jinja with some friends from the local Ultimate Frisbee team, I got to drive part of the way, when we were sure that the roads were safe enough. While I drove, the owner of the car took some pictures of the scenery using my camera, including some ill-fated pictures of a bridge over the Nile.
A pair of guards standing at the end of the bridge saw this, and asked us to pull over. At first it seemed that it was the picture-taking itself that they were irritated about, but it soon became clear that it was not. They had seen foreigners in the car. Foreigners means rich. Rich means ching ching.
They had seen a bribe opportunity.
Only problem was, they had no clue how to elicit a bribe from people. All they did was jump from one wild accusation to another, in desperate hopes of frightening us. We merely answered their questions politely, and told them that we'd be more than willing to speak to their boss if they wanted. This was apparently not something they wanted, so they let us go with a warning. How nice of them.
We ended up driving from there, leaving the soldiers' wallets a little less filled than they perhaps had hoped for.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Hercules
Believe it or not, I was actually up at 5:45 today. Yes, I know, it's a Saturday. At best, the only reason for being up at such hours should be that one hasn't gone to bed in the first place.
But. All the medical procedures from the night shifts are saved up for the early mornings, so getting there really early was the only way for us to participate in these. And why wouldn't I want to? This is what I'm here for!
I got to try a number of different things while I was there. It's particularly fun to try procedures under supervision that one has never tried before, and actually managing them. Femoral taps, for example; drawing blood samples from the femoral vein in infants and young children. It can be quite the challenge.
See, it's hard to tell an infant that the pinprick they're going to feel is done in the best of intentions. This in turn means that they won't quietly lie around while you take the blood sample. No no, they will fight it with every ounce of their body - and sometimes you're left wondering where a baby this tiny gets so much strength from.
But. All the medical procedures from the night shifts are saved up for the early mornings, so getting there really early was the only way for us to participate in these. And why wouldn't I want to? This is what I'm here for!
I got to try a number of different things while I was there. It's particularly fun to try procedures under supervision that one has never tried before, and actually managing them. Femoral taps, for example; drawing blood samples from the femoral vein in infants and young children. It can be quite the challenge.
See, it's hard to tell an infant that the pinprick they're going to feel is done in the best of intentions. This in turn means that they won't quietly lie around while you take the blood sample. No no, they will fight it with every ounce of their body - and sometimes you're left wondering where a baby this tiny gets so much strength from.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Stand in line, mister
Since I've already barely started comparing India and Uganda, here's some more to add to that.
What I've noticed is that the very concept of a queue is nonexistent in both countries. Or perhaps it is a hazy blur, so that "lines" often end up more as a cluster of people. There is one aspect which distinguishes people who sneak in India and people who sneak here though.
Here, if someone sneaks in front of you and you tap them on the shoulder, they turn around and start apologizing profusely. They're suddenly all humility and grace, and almost manage to convince you that they hadn't meant to cut in line. They had just not seen you, honest.
In India, you tap them on the shoulder, and they'll turn around, sure. But moments later they've convinced you that you're the one who's been cutting in line.
What I've noticed is that the very concept of a queue is nonexistent in both countries. Or perhaps it is a hazy blur, so that "lines" often end up more as a cluster of people. There is one aspect which distinguishes people who sneak in India and people who sneak here though.
Here, if someone sneaks in front of you and you tap them on the shoulder, they turn around and start apologizing profusely. They're suddenly all humility and grace, and almost manage to convince you that they hadn't meant to cut in line. They had just not seen you, honest.
In India, you tap them on the shoulder, and they'll turn around, sure. But moments later they've convinced you that you're the one who's been cutting in line.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Godspeed
Imagine having come here for a period of six weeks, looking forward to all these new experiences that one can get from here, and then getting sick. Really sick.
It's one thing to have seen how things are managed here in low-resource settings. There's a level of respect one gets from that; a knowledge that people don't just sit back and hope for the best, but rather make use of the limited possibilities that they have.
It's another thing entirely to also have seen how disorganized things can be here. Mistakes that are made. Avoidable complications that take place simply because the routines here are less rigid than back at home.
If I were to get really sick, I think I too would go back home, like one member of our group now has decided to do. Back in the company of friends and family, and with a health care system that I trust far more than the one here. Is it unfair that I have this possibility while locals don't? Of course. I'm not sure I'd let that stop me though.
It's one thing to have seen how things are managed here in low-resource settings. There's a level of respect one gets from that; a knowledge that people don't just sit back and hope for the best, but rather make use of the limited possibilities that they have.
It's another thing entirely to also have seen how disorganized things can be here. Mistakes that are made. Avoidable complications that take place simply because the routines here are less rigid than back at home.
If I were to get really sick, I think I too would go back home, like one member of our group now has decided to do. Back in the company of friends and family, and with a health care system that I trust far more than the one here. Is it unfair that I have this possibility while locals don't? Of course. I'm not sure I'd let that stop me though.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
In a rich man's world
Here's an interesting ethical conundrum, and I would love to hear people's opinion on the matter.
Many patients here are poor. With their minimal wages, we see a great number of people who have difficulty sustaining an income at the same time as taking care of their children. This leads to plenty of problems. Some medical investigation or treatment that they need but cannot afford. Not having the chance to follow vaccination programs. Malnutrition.
They need money, we have money. Sure, we're students and don't exactly have splurge economies, but we have enough to be able to give. In fact, we probably wouldn't even notice the change in our wallets' weight. So, should we do it? Should we give them money at all?
One could say that on an individual basis, helping a few is better than helping none at all. No one would blame us if we didn't give money, but should we feel so comfortable with our hands firmly planted behind our backs?
There are arguments against giving, too. Question: if we say yes to one, how do we choose to say no to the next? Would it not be preferable to save up the money and donate it to sustainable projects instead, rather than to give it to individual cases? Are we really doing anyone a service in the long run by coming here as "saviors" to this new world, like a rich uncle coming to save the day?
Many patients here are poor. With their minimal wages, we see a great number of people who have difficulty sustaining an income at the same time as taking care of their children. This leads to plenty of problems. Some medical investigation or treatment that they need but cannot afford. Not having the chance to follow vaccination programs. Malnutrition.
They need money, we have money. Sure, we're students and don't exactly have splurge economies, but we have enough to be able to give. In fact, we probably wouldn't even notice the change in our wallets' weight. So, should we do it? Should we give them money at all?
One could say that on an individual basis, helping a few is better than helping none at all. No one would blame us if we didn't give money, but should we feel so comfortable with our hands firmly planted behind our backs?
There are arguments against giving, too. Question: if we say yes to one, how do we choose to say no to the next? Would it not be preferable to save up the money and donate it to sustainable projects instead, rather than to give it to individual cases? Are we really doing anyone a service in the long run by coming here as "saviors" to this new world, like a rich uncle coming to save the day?
Yum yum in my tum tum
So far six out of the nine of us here in Uganda have had debilitating tummy problems. Just to stick to tried and tested medical terminology here.
I doubt it's poor hygiene that's behind it. We've all been quite good at washing our hands before eating and being somewhat careful about what kind of places we eat from. Still, I guess a bit of traveller's diarrhea is inevitable for stomachs that are not entirely used to the local cuisine.
The betting stations are open: how long will it take before me and the two others also fell prey to the Curse of the Tourists?
I doubt it's poor hygiene that's behind it. We've all been quite good at washing our hands before eating and being somewhat careful about what kind of places we eat from. Still, I guess a bit of traveller's diarrhea is inevitable for stomachs that are not entirely used to the local cuisine.
The betting stations are open: how long will it take before me and the two others also fell prey to the Curse of the Tourists?
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
How to survive without blood tests
If I had a patient with anemia back at home, I'd know precisely which blood tests to order to be able to say more about what its cause was, and thus how to treat it. While I'd be twiddling my thumbs and waiting for the blood test results to come, any medical student from here would already have the answer and get on with treating it.
Blood tests, as well as other investigations, are expensive here. Patients often have to pay for things themselves, which often stands as a huge limitation in patient treatment. There is a silver lining though: doctors here become masters at finding stuff out just by clinical examination.
There's so much you can find out just by using basic tests. Palpating the spleen to see if it shows signs of increased destruction of blood cells. Looking for signs of small bleeding spots called petechia, indicating that there might be something wrong with the bone marrow's production of blood cells. And the list goes on.
Perhaps if I'm here for long enough, I too will learn how to not twiddle thumbs.
Blood tests, as well as other investigations, are expensive here. Patients often have to pay for things themselves, which often stands as a huge limitation in patient treatment. There is a silver lining though: doctors here become masters at finding stuff out just by clinical examination.
There's so much you can find out just by using basic tests. Palpating the spleen to see if it shows signs of increased destruction of blood cells. Looking for signs of small bleeding spots called petechia, indicating that there might be something wrong with the bone marrow's production of blood cells. And the list goes on.
Perhaps if I'm here for long enough, I too will learn how to not twiddle thumbs.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Here's looking at you, kid.
Twenty-five posts written, and I still haven't said much about what it is we're here for. Well, to remedy that: the plan is to be here in Kampala for six weeks total, two weeks apiece for clinical rotations in psychiatry, pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology. In short, seeing how things are done here.
However, it is with mixed feelings that I say that we've now started pediatrics. On the plus side, I find the specialty very interesting. I mean, it's easy to think of kids as adults in tiny packages. But try getting a two-year-old with vague symptoms to tell you where they're hurting, and you'll quickly find out that they're anything but.
It's a specialty that gives you a touch of everything from adult medicine, while at the same time being entirely different from it. Massively fascinating stuff.
The minus? Starting pediatrics means that we've already finished one-third of our time here. Time flies way too fast. I feel a mid-life crisis coming on.
However, it is with mixed feelings that I say that we've now started pediatrics. On the plus side, I find the specialty very interesting. I mean, it's easy to think of kids as adults in tiny packages. But try getting a two-year-old with vague symptoms to tell you where they're hurting, and you'll quickly find out that they're anything but.
It's a specialty that gives you a touch of everything from adult medicine, while at the same time being entirely different from it. Massively fascinating stuff.
The minus? Starting pediatrics means that we've already finished one-third of our time here. Time flies way too fast. I feel a mid-life crisis coming on.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Ssese: The verdict
Sure, it was nice enough; that's as far as I'd go to describe the visit to Ssese islands. I won't make claims that it's "the most beautiful place" I've ever been to; after all, it's hard to impress a person who's lived in Norway all his life.
But that's not the full story. There was one aspect that took me entirely by awe, you see. Now, what especially fascinates me is that I didn't even notice it to begin with, even though it was all around me, everywhere. It was only when our forest guide happened to mention the sounds that it all truly came alive.
The sounds of nature. Birds, insects, water, wind. Waves crashing on the beach, life erupting from the trees. It was all just... there. Everything had this aura of peace and calm. A serenity to it all that would almost make you freeze in place just to be able to soak just a fraction of it in. Almost a crime that, just earlier, my brain had decided to shut this out, of all things. Unbelievable.
But that's not the full story. There was one aspect that took me entirely by awe, you see. Now, what especially fascinates me is that I didn't even notice it to begin with, even though it was all around me, everywhere. It was only when our forest guide happened to mention the sounds that it all truly came alive.
The sounds of nature. Birds, insects, water, wind. Waves crashing on the beach, life erupting from the trees. It was all just... there. Everything had this aura of peace and calm. A serenity to it all that would almost make you freeze in place just to be able to soak just a fraction of it in. Almost a crime that, just earlier, my brain had decided to shut this out, of all things. Unbelievable.
Duct tape? Check.
Perhaps the most useful item I have brought to Uganda is my roll of duct tape. Originally my plan with it was to take it to the Equator and place a little piece of duct tape there, so as to be able to say that I had patched up the Equator (still haven't done that).
Turns out I've had way more uses for it than I had imagined. My sunglasses broke the other day (Gucci...), easily fixed with a matchstick and some duct tape. The rim of my headlamp cracked; not a problem, just a bit of duct tape, and it was as good as new. Found out that the one chair they had on the deck of the ferry from Ssese islands was broken in several places. This took a bit of creative taping, but needless to say, duct tape saved the day.
It's like they say: if you can't fix it with duct tape, you haven't used enough.
Turns out I've had way more uses for it than I had imagined. My sunglasses broke the other day (Gucci...), easily fixed with a matchstick and some duct tape. The rim of my headlamp cracked; not a problem, just a bit of duct tape, and it was as good as new. Found out that the one chair they had on the deck of the ferry from Ssese islands was broken in several places. This took a bit of creative taping, but needless to say, duct tape saved the day.
It's like they say: if you can't fix it with duct tape, you haven't used enough.
Friday, February 19, 2010
I spy something beginning with a double S
The few weekends we have here, like I've already mentioned, are dedicated to travelling. This weekend, Ssese islands are up. They're supposed to be these islands that have this untouched-by-man feel to them. I have my doubts.
I've visited one other place in my life that I'd describe using those words: the beaches of Latvia. We're talking about the longest beach in Europe, so you could be forgiven for thinking that you're the first person to set foot on exactly that part of the stretch. It is vast.
Assuming that these "untouched" islands do not have internet access (in truth, that would only disappoint me), faithful readers of this blag will have to test their patience this weekend :) The good news is that there will likely be pictures posted when I get back.
I've visited one other place in my life that I'd describe using those words: the beaches of Latvia. We're talking about the longest beach in Europe, so you could be forgiven for thinking that you're the first person to set foot on exactly that part of the stretch. It is vast.
Assuming that these "untouched" islands do not have internet access (in truth, that would only disappoint me), faithful readers of this blag will have to test their patience this weekend :) The good news is that there will likely be pictures posted when I get back.
They may survive nuclear warfare...
...but this cockroach that just crawled over my foot and attempted to scuttle away didn't stand a chance against the impacting force of my chair. Feel my wrath.
Insects here are more scarce than I had expected. Spiders, likewise. I quite like that actually. It's one of the first things I noticed here, that there weren't any flies around us at the airport. It came as a little shock to me.
I mean, it's not that there are no flies. It's just that in comparison with India which is so like this country in so many ways, the big separating points seem to be the people's skin color and the number of flies bugging you. That's it, as far as I can tell. It's almost as though the same architect was brought in to design both countries.
Insects here are more scarce than I had expected. Spiders, likewise. I quite like that actually. It's one of the first things I noticed here, that there weren't any flies around us at the airport. It came as a little shock to me.
I mean, it's not that there are no flies. It's just that in comparison with India which is so like this country in so many ways, the big separating points seem to be the people's skin color and the number of flies bugging you. That's it, as far as I can tell. It's almost as though the same architect was brought in to design both countries.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The dangers of walking
You think you've seen potholes before. You haven't. If you think potholes are little holes in the ground, think again.
Relatively speaking, I'm leaning towards calling the potholes here "abysses". They're perhaps a meter or so deep, and from the look of it, they seem to be intentionally created, perhaps for trash disposal purposes. In the middle of the road. Don't ask me why.
You can just imagine how a midnight stroll could turn ugly. Here you are, walking along, expecting to make contact with the ground - except you don't. Moments later, your bones are broken and your clothes stink of trash.
But hey, on the flip side, if you're driving your car and need a place to throw your gum wrapper, you don't even need to get out of the car! Ain't that grand.
Relatively speaking, I'm leaning towards calling the potholes here "abysses". They're perhaps a meter or so deep, and from the look of it, they seem to be intentionally created, perhaps for trash disposal purposes. In the middle of the road. Don't ask me why.
You can just imagine how a midnight stroll could turn ugly. Here you are, walking along, expecting to make contact with the ground - except you don't. Moments later, your bones are broken and your clothes stink of trash.
But hey, on the flip side, if you're driving your car and need a place to throw your gum wrapper, you don't even need to get out of the car! Ain't that grand.
Jiminy speaks
Common sense dictates that I shouldn't be up now. The time is 1:30, and it's a school night. I should be fast asleep - or at the very least be trying to sleep, not writing a blag entry.
That's part of the fun with living in a dorm-like house though. Playing volleyball outdoors until it becomes too dark to distinguish between the ball and the players. Long evenings of staying up and chatting, having a drink together and playing card games for way longer than intended. The sound of crickets chirping away in the background.
Night here is not like in Norway. It comes alive with sounds from nature and from rather more artificial sources. It may be dark, but it breathes and sings.
That's part of the fun with living in a dorm-like house though. Playing volleyball outdoors until it becomes too dark to distinguish between the ball and the players. Long evenings of staying up and chatting, having a drink together and playing card games for way longer than intended. The sound of crickets chirping away in the background.
Night here is not like in Norway. It comes alive with sounds from nature and from rather more artificial sources. It may be dark, but it breathes and sings.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Be a man. Do the right thing.
One thing that I've noticed here in Uganda is the number of "educational" billboards that they have here. Everything from safe sex campaigns ("HIV stops with me!") to fidelity campaigns ("you can be a reliable partner!") to anti-violence ("it's time to grow up!"). All these can be seen along the roadsides, right beside the ones advertising for this and that ("buy 2 for 1!").
On the one hand, it's good that they have such campaigns in a country where these are all-too-real problems. On the other, I'm having trouble seeing how effective billboards can be, really. I'm skeptical when it comes to the influencing power of sex life advice from this kind of media.
Call me a cynic, but I simply can't imagine this being much more life-altering than, say, online petitions against racism.
On the one hand, it's good that they have such campaigns in a country where these are all-too-real problems. On the other, I'm having trouble seeing how effective billboards can be, really. I'm skeptical when it comes to the influencing power of sex life advice from this kind of media.
Call me a cynic, but I simply can't imagine this being much more life-altering than, say, online petitions against racism.
Little Johnny
Not only is it raining, but I'm noticing it. The fact that I'm noticing could be because of two reasons. One, I've been away from Bergen - a.k.a. the City of Perpetual Rain - so I'm no longer used to it raining all the time. Or two, the sheer force of the rain.
This is what monsoon rain sounds like. Huge droplets falling with such frequency that one could be forgiven for thinking that the clouds have intentionally been withholding rain for this long. Clouds that have been collecting it up all this time, and are now running about in mischevious glee like secondary school pranksters who have just turned on all the water taps at school. They know they'll be caught for it. Doesn't matter. Water!
This is what monsoon rain sounds like. Huge droplets falling with such frequency that one could be forgiven for thinking that the clouds have intentionally been withholding rain for this long. Clouds that have been collecting it up all this time, and are now running about in mischevious glee like secondary school pranksters who have just turned on all the water taps at school. They know they'll be caught for it. Doesn't matter. Water!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The carrot and the stick
We had an interesting debate at Butabika today, about the use of disulfiram for alcoholics. To put it simply, this drug causes any intake of alcohol to give a quick and massive hangover, and thus functions as a deterrent for drinking. This seems to be a drug that is more widely used in Norway than here in Uganda.
For once, this is not because of a lack of resources. Rather, it's the principle behind the use of such drugs that appears to be the issue here. Their point is that getting alcoholics to stay away from alcohol by making them fear its consequences is a step in the wrong direction. That is, that it is better to actually motivate them to manage it on their own.
But I ask, isn't all motivation based on either a fear of consequences or the want of a reward? Even telling the patients something as basic as "abusing alcohol will make it harder to recover from your other psychiatric conditions" is still a telling them about a consequence per se. Ignoring side-effects for the sake of argument, why should disulfiram be considered so different from telling them that?
For once, this is not because of a lack of resources. Rather, it's the principle behind the use of such drugs that appears to be the issue here. Their point is that getting alcoholics to stay away from alcohol by making them fear its consequences is a step in the wrong direction. That is, that it is better to actually motivate them to manage it on their own.
But I ask, isn't all motivation based on either a fear of consequences or the want of a reward? Even telling the patients something as basic as "abusing alcohol will make it harder to recover from your other psychiatric conditions" is still a telling them about a consequence per se. Ignoring side-effects for the sake of argument, why should disulfiram be considered so different from telling them that?
Monday, February 15, 2010
The plight of a food lover
Ask me how the food in Uganda is, and I'll tell you that it's pretty good. Having eaten largely Italian, Chinese and Indian food here though, I wouldn't trust that answer. Whether Ugandan food is any good is another question entirely, you see.
My answer to that would have to be no. Fact is that there's something very bland about the taste of food here, with everything lacking any taste of its own. The meat tastes of meat, and the carbohydrates taste like carbohydrates; that's as far as I'll take this very colorful description. It's almost as if they go out of their way to make food as nondescript as possible.
A bit of salt, some spices, a little gravy - the slightest touch would do wonders for the taste buds. Until such a time comes around, I'll stick to my Italian, Chinese and Indian.
My answer to that would have to be no. Fact is that there's something very bland about the taste of food here, with everything lacking any taste of its own. The meat tastes of meat, and the carbohydrates taste like carbohydrates; that's as far as I'll take this very colorful description. It's almost as if they go out of their way to make food as nondescript as possible.
A bit of salt, some spices, a little gravy - the slightest touch would do wonders for the taste buds. Until such a time comes around, I'll stick to my Italian, Chinese and Indian.
Crowding
We visited Butabika today, a psychiatric hospital just outside of town that is for the more severely ill patients. This is what we knew of it from before. I had conjured up images of patients visibly talking to people who aren't there, or perhaps rocking back and forth in some corner somewhere. The way one would act as the character "mental patient #5" in a soap opera or something.
In some ways, this was even more extreme. Walking through the crowd of patients was mildly uncomfortable, as they all slowly started to approach us, and had to be held at bay by one of the guards who was using a prodding stick. Some patients had even undressed themselves and were hanging off the gates.
Of course, none of this reflects patient neglect in any way, but rather a combination of limited capacity and late-stage conditions. What's the alternative? Leaving them to themselves without any chance of help? After all, this was just the "outside" impression. In terms of treatment, they get what they need. They're here to get better - and if there's any chance at all that they will, this is where it will happen.
In some ways, this was even more extreme. Walking through the crowd of patients was mildly uncomfortable, as they all slowly started to approach us, and had to be held at bay by one of the guards who was using a prodding stick. Some patients had even undressed themselves and were hanging off the gates.
Of course, none of this reflects patient neglect in any way, but rather a combination of limited capacity and late-stage conditions. What's the alternative? Leaving them to themselves without any chance of help? After all, this was just the "outside" impression. In terms of treatment, they get what they need. They're here to get better - and if there's any chance at all that they will, this is where it will happen.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The others
We invited some of the other exchange students over to our place the other day. While it's nice to meet the locals too, there's some sense of solidarity one feels when one meets others who are also here for a short period.
They're most certainly the ones who know what we need to do with the few weekends we have here. I've gotten plenty of tips, and the common message seems to be that rafting on the Nile is a priceless experience. Will most certainly have to try that at some point.
It was great fun though. We've made plenty of new friends now. Also known as people you can ask to borrow change from. You know, like when you're at the cafeteria, need to buy something for 500 shillings and the ATM has left you with only 50,000 shilling notes.
They're most certainly the ones who know what we need to do with the few weekends we have here. I've gotten plenty of tips, and the common message seems to be that rafting on the Nile is a priceless experience. Will most certainly have to try that at some point.
It was great fun though. We've made plenty of new friends now. Also known as people you can ask to borrow change from. You know, like when you're at the cafeteria, need to buy something for 500 shillings and the ATM has left you with only 50,000 shilling notes.
Speechless
Modesty aside, I've always convinced myself that I can manage to write in such a way that it gives a realistic idea of how I have felt and experienced the events myself. For this day, I don't stand a chance. I don't have the words to describe it, bar from saying that I just had one of the best days of my life.
I visited an orphanage today. From getting out of the taxi and being greeted by a three-year old coming to shake my hand, to meeting all the other children, to finally having to call it a day - I don't think I could have managed to stop smiling. I just felt such warmth in all of me, no doubt caught from the way the children were. Happy, smiling little ones, as only children can manage, in their innocent happiness that belies the worries from their past.
Kids came and hugged me, wanted me to dance capoeira with them, play chess with them, play drums with them. Some just wanted to chat, and hear about Norway. Some wanted me to sit next to them when they were eating lunch. And then there were those that wanted to try my camera. I figured that I could show some of them how to handle the camera safely and how to take photos. Then they ran off, and soon afterwards, I had around 250 photos giving a glimpse of their world through their eyes.
Life would be so different if we saw through those eyes once in a while. The joys of life would simply be appreciated more, I imagine.
I visited an orphanage today. From getting out of the taxi and being greeted by a three-year old coming to shake my hand, to meeting all the other children, to finally having to call it a day - I don't think I could have managed to stop smiling. I just felt such warmth in all of me, no doubt caught from the way the children were. Happy, smiling little ones, as only children can manage, in their innocent happiness that belies the worries from their past.
Kids came and hugged me, wanted me to dance capoeira with them, play chess with them, play drums with them. Some just wanted to chat, and hear about Norway. Some wanted me to sit next to them when they were eating lunch. And then there were those that wanted to try my camera. I figured that I could show some of them how to handle the camera safely and how to take photos. Then they ran off, and soon afterwards, I had around 250 photos giving a glimpse of their world through their eyes.
Life would be so different if we saw through those eyes once in a while. The joys of life would simply be appreciated more, I imagine.
Friday, February 12, 2010
This little piggy
Technically, we're supposed to be having psychiatry the first two weeks. And I find psychiatry quite interesting too, but on the other hand, we've already had psychiatry back at home. While it's a fun experience to see how things are done differently here, my view is that I'd love to experience some of the other fields that are available here as well. So what do I do? I roam.
Surgical, getting to assist in suturing up boda boda-related injuries. Getting to see massive fractures following random assaults. Getting to see the resilience of some people, how they grit their teeth and just endure the pain when we no longer have any anesthetic to give them.
Medical, seeing the different spectrum of diseases here. Seeing how conditions are detected by clinical investigations rather than by the use of multimillion-dollar 5 Tesla MRI machines. Seeing how much one can manage to communicate even without speaking the same language.
Infectious diseases, cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology. The list is endless. And don't get me started on the tourism side of the country. I don't even want to think of how many weekends we'd need to have here to get the full Ugandan experience.
Surgical, getting to assist in suturing up boda boda-related injuries. Getting to see massive fractures following random assaults. Getting to see the resilience of some people, how they grit their teeth and just endure the pain when we no longer have any anesthetic to give them.
Medical, seeing the different spectrum of diseases here. Seeing how conditions are detected by clinical investigations rather than by the use of multimillion-dollar 5 Tesla MRI machines. Seeing how much one can manage to communicate even without speaking the same language.
Infectious diseases, cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology. The list is endless. And don't get me started on the tourism side of the country. I don't even want to think of how many weekends we'd need to have here to get the full Ugandan experience.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Alive and kicking
If you had asked me a couple of months back what I would describe as the one negative thing with travelling to Uganda for a stint, I would have known exactly what to answer: the fact that I'd be missing out on so much frisbee practice back home. A friend of mine from back home had comforted me with the news that this was just me underestimating Kampala though. And today, I went and played with them. It was awesome. Great workout, great people, great day.
See, this is how it is. One gets so used to things being different that one forgets to notice the similarities that are there as well. There are plenty out there to really appreciate. I've just now started looking for them.
See, this is how it is. One gets so used to things being different that one forgets to notice the similarities that are there as well. There are plenty out there to really appreciate. I've just now started looking for them.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Death on wheels
Tough day today. Visited the surgical casualty room, where I saw some extreme cases. Three accidents involving boda bodas, the local motorcycle taxis. I stitched up the one of them, who had been hit in the face by a bus and brought in by a random stranger who had found her on the street.
Even before I got here I had been advised to not take the boda bodas, and I don't think I would have either. After this here though, there's not a chance that I'm getting on one of those death machines. Unverified rumors state that 90% of all traffic accidents here are boda boda related, and I'm leaning towards believing them. These three accidents that I was telling about? They came within my first twenty minutes of being there.
I saw a bunch of others as well, but I'll spare you the details. Suffices to say that things can be distressingly different here to conditions back at home.
Even before I got here I had been advised to not take the boda bodas, and I don't think I would have either. After this here though, there's not a chance that I'm getting on one of those death machines. Unverified rumors state that 90% of all traffic accidents here are boda boda related, and I'm leaning towards believing them. These three accidents that I was telling about? They came within my first twenty minutes of being there.
I saw a bunch of others as well, but I'll spare you the details. Suffices to say that things can be distressingly different here to conditions back at home.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The village idiot
It would seem that having visited our village in India some summers has paid off. With some of the "problems" that arise here, I know exactly what to do merely because we've been through the same things there.
Very weak water pressure, not quite strong enough to take a decent shower? Fill a bucket with water and use a pitcher to pour water over your head. Toilets won't flush because the water tank takes several minutes to fill up again? Same solution, except you aim the water elsewhere.
It's a feeling of "been there, done that" that is quite welcome actually. It stands quite in contrast with my general unfamiliarity with tropical medicine.
Very weak water pressure, not quite strong enough to take a decent shower? Fill a bucket with water and use a pitcher to pour water over your head. Toilets won't flush because the water tank takes several minutes to fill up again? Same solution, except you aim the water elsewhere.
It's a feeling of "been there, done that" that is quite welcome actually. It stands quite in contrast with my general unfamiliarity with tropical medicine.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Anopheles
What a day. Sizzling heat, drinking way too little water, and I now have a headache. Nonetheless, had a great first day at the hospital. We were shown around the place, and were told simple "tips & tricks", like that we should use the toilets over at the Infectious Diseases Institute because they allegedly have the best hygiene. Always good to know.
We also visited Garden City, a local shopping center where we got a hold of life-essential necessities like SIM-cards (+256785731854, if anyone feels like dropping me a "howdy") and sunglasses (Gucci!). All set now. Bring on the malaria patients.
Speaking of which, I saw my first [probable] malaria patient today. I was thinking along the lines of obstructive jaundice due to gallstones when I saw the patient, given his presentation. Didn't for a moment think about malaria. Entirely forgetting, of course, that similar presentations can mean entirely different things here. Imagine that. Lesson learnt: Uganda is not Norway.
We also visited Garden City, a local shopping center where we got a hold of life-essential necessities like SIM-cards (+256785731854, if anyone feels like dropping me a "howdy") and sunglasses (Gucci!). All set now. Bring on the malaria patients.
Speaking of which, I saw my first [probable] malaria patient today. I was thinking along the lines of obstructive jaundice due to gallstones when I saw the patient, given his presentation. Didn't for a moment think about malaria. Entirely forgetting, of course, that similar presentations can mean entirely different things here. Imagine that. Lesson learnt: Uganda is not Norway.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Bambi eyes
Here the more bitter sides of the country start coming forth. As dusk settled in, the child beggars started emerging. What a position to be in; on the one hand, there's these tiny doe-eyed children asking so nicely whether you can spare some change. Then there's us, knowing that we can, but shouldn't.
The money would never go to them, ultimately. They wouldn't be going to feed their families either, but rather to fund the cruelty of people who run child beggar leagues - much like the ones seen in the movie Slumdog Millionaire.
If one is feeling particularly charitable, giving money to these child beggars isn't the way to go. Give the money to schools instead. That way, you know that your money is helping - but of course, at the painful cost of having to ignore the pleading of a small child.
The money would never go to them, ultimately. They wouldn't be going to feed their families either, but rather to fund the cruelty of people who run child beggar leagues - much like the ones seen in the movie Slumdog Millionaire.
If one is feeling particularly charitable, giving money to these child beggars isn't the way to go. Give the money to schools instead. That way, you know that your money is helping - but of course, at the painful cost of having to ignore the pleading of a small child.
First impressions
I have arrived at last. Sitting at NUFU House now, where we are to be staying while we are here in Kampala. Seems like a decent place.
Some initial observations:
- It's not snowing here.
- Driving here seems to be an eternal game of chicken. There's no suspense about the winner though. Simple rule: the bigger car doesn't budge.
- People here are friendly. Strangers say hello! In comparison, the same thing happening in Norway would elicit confused looks and people shuffling away, muttering something about kids these days.
I think I'm going to like it here.
Special price for you
A worrying observation: this computer that I'm paying $5 an hour to use here at the airport in Addis Ababa is allegedly running Windows 2006.
This just reinforces my conviction to stay away from Polex watches and Clavin Keins.
I flew Ethiopian Airlines and survived!
The flight to Ethiopia went fine. We didn't crash, that's always positive. Wasn't all too happy about the inflight movie being shown on a tiny screen on the ceiling of the aisle, admittedly. It was a good thing it was an overnight flight though, since I had to chance to get a bit of sleep.
I found it quite amusing that they woke us up at 5:20 local time (2:20 UK time) to hand out fruit cakes. I don't eat fruit cake. Of course, had I not been able to fall asleep immediately afterwards, "amusing" would not have been my word of choice.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
My first hiccup
Already, I have had my first hiccup. And I haven't even left Europe yet!
Has anyone else noticed that there are two types of plugs in Norway? Sure, both have two rounds pins, but that one type has thick pins while the other has thin?
As is, the adapter I've bought allows me to charge my phone but not my laptop. My camera but not my shaver.
This could turn ugly.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Ponderings and musings before the travel
Let no one say that I go on this trip with false impressions. I've watched the movie The Lion King. I've watched Instinct. And, as if that wasn't country-specific enough, I've also watched Last King of Scotland. How's that for life experience?
No, the truth is, I know far too little about what I am going to. Which is, to me, all the more reason to go, in fact. I have these impressions based on stuff that I've read and movies I've watched, but I don't delude myself into thinking that that's anywhere close to what reality has to offer.
Nonetheless, if I see Forest Whitaker, I'm going to run.
No, the truth is, I know far too little about what I am going to. Which is, to me, all the more reason to go, in fact. I have these impressions based on stuff that I've read and movies I've watched, but I don't delude myself into thinking that that's anywhere close to what reality has to offer.
Nonetheless, if I see Forest Whitaker, I'm going to run.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
First!
One would think that I'd have tried this before. Writing a blag. But no, this is officially the first time I've set up a site with the intention of writing about the goings-on where I am, simply because I'm going to a whole other country: Uganda. Things will be new, things will be different, and things will be interesting. I hope to be able to share that with those of you who want to read about them.
On my last full day here in Norway, I'm now setting up this page, preparing to stuff things into my suitcase. They allow me to bring 57 kgs in total. I'm curious as to how much my clothes and books will weigh. If I meet my limit, I'll tell you straight away: I either wear too much or read too much.
On my last full day here in Norway, I'm now setting up this page, preparing to stuff things into my suitcase. They allow me to bring 57 kgs in total. I'm curious as to how much my clothes and books will weigh. If I meet my limit, I'll tell you straight away: I either wear too much or read too much.
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