Assaulted for a Necklace

My mom was attacked in Sarajevo about four weeks ago.

It was in the middle of the day, on a crosswalk in her neighbourhood, with many people around, even with her friend right next to her. Someone from behind kicked her on the back, and pulled on her necklace. He tripped her feet under her and she fell to the ground. She saw the necklace on the pavement, and as she started to reach for it, he grabbed it and said "how are you doing, mam?!" She got up and even started running after him, but he took off. Her friend was in shock and wasn't able to do or say anything.

Few months ago, someone also tried to rip of that necklace on her. It's just a gold chain right around the neck. She always had it on, even when sleeping, swimming, bathing. That time the person just yanked the necklace few times, she fell to the ground, but when the necklace wouldn't come off, he ran away.

But this time, because he knocked her down, she fell with full force on her right hand, and broke her wrist. The policeman she approached there took her to the emergency room at the orthopedic department, and she found out it was a really bad fracture. The wrist was all twisted, swollen, and hurt so much she thought she'll faint. They worked on adjusting the bones, but said such case is usually for surgery, and if she was 20 years younger, they would operate. The health care in Bosnia is in a sad state, and older people are often treated as if they don't need to be helped out.

After a week in the splint, they took another x-ray and told her it doesn't look very good, but they put the cast anyway. She was hopeful it was going good because she could move the fingers, the bruising went down, and the pain was bearable. But, after another week, another doctor who was doing the x-ray that day told her it's not good at all. He basically told her that if she wants to leave it that way that she'd have to sign a consent form because he couldn't let it go just like that. When he said it that way of course she realized it needs to be fixed. So, two weeks after the fracture, they broke the bones again to adjust them correctly. With no meds. Oh, the pain! I can't even imagine it. But, the x-ray after that showed a significant improvement, and the doctor gave her two thumbs up.

She has been in pain ever since then, and just in the last few days it has gotten a bit better. The arm is still swollen, and she has to keep it elevated. She is right-handed, so EVERYTHING is a challenge. I know; I was in the same position a year ago when I broke my elbow. She has another checkup in a few days, and I am praying all bones are in place where they should be. There is not much I can do for her from here, and there is not much she would let me do, like pay someone to come help her. I was at least able to order her some food and cooked meals delivered.

It will take a long time for her to get back strength and motion in that wrist, but right now she is taking it one day at a time. A lot lays on the Thursday checkup.

B-Day

Last weekend I celebrated my birthday. And it was a good one.

It first started when my friend Norma came over with little Juan the night before, and brought dinner and birthday balloons! She gave me three options, and I choose Serranos fajitas. She wanted to come over, as opposed to go out, so I could show them my Uganda photos. We enjoyed our visit very much.

On the morning of my birthday, my brother surprised me we with a bouquet of yellow lilies! When I got up, they were already in the vase on the dinning table. It was a very dear and touching surprise. My little brother. I love you! :)

That day was the last day for one of our coworkers in the group, so we all went out to lunch to Rudy's, for him. I usually don't meet people for lunches, because I can't eat real, full meals that early, but that day I went. I know it was for him, but it felt just a little bit like we are going out for my birthday. :)

And then in the evening I met with some amazing women, that I am privileged to call my friends, at a french restaurant Chez Nous downtown. I had to chuckle when even though I was late 15 minutes to pick up Kim, as we were going to drive together, we arrived at the restaurant right on time, with NO rush-hour traffic. AND there was a parking spot RIGHT in front of the restaurant. Just for me. Just for my birthday!

I've been wanting to try their crepes for a long time, but it turns out that for dinner they only serve one type, and it's for desert. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the meal, and had just a fabulous time with my friends! Thank you ladies for celebrating with me.

Home, Sweet Home

It's good to be home. In Bosnian we say: "Svuda prodji, al' kuci dodji", or "Go everywhere, but come home". It's good to have a feeling of coming home, not just to a place I live. Home is so much more.

A week ago I was finding my way through Washington DC with Ada. I just realized yesterday that we completely missed to look for the white house! That is how tired, and sleep deprived, and incredibly heat exhausted we were. I know we saw it on the map at some point, but by the time we were at the Washington monument we were so tired that it was totally off our mind. If we just looked to the other side of that park, we would have seen it.

Oh well. I guess I'll just have to go back to our capital again. Maybe when I become a citizen! :)

Five continents down, two more to go to. South America will have to wait at least couple of years, and I don't really have a desire to ever go to Antarctica!

Uganda Adventure: Day in DC

After 17.5 hours on the same plane, we arrived in Washington DC one hour late. By the time we went through the immigration, customs, got new boarding passes, and re-checked our bags, it was passed 10 am. We then started figuring out how to get downtown. Our "invisible men" were working overtime for us today. :)

Ada found out that we can take bus 5A, from the 2E stop, to the National Air and Space museum, where they have lockers for us to leave our carry-ons. After 9/11, those are no longer available at the airport. I didn't hear that 5A part, so I got us on a 2E shuttle on which it said "air & space museum". It was just 50 cents, but at the airport they told Ada the bus fare was $6. I though we got a good deal.

Well, after less than 15 min, we arrived at the Smithsonian National Air and Space museum. We got in, left our bags, and spent few minutes looking around. Then we asked for directions to the Mall. We asked how we can walk to there, because there was nothing around the museum, just trees. That is when they told us we can only go by car to downtown DC, because we are too far. We were in Virginia! A completely different state! Huh?! The air and space museum they told us about at the airport was in DC. However, it was good, because when one lady checked for us if that other museum had lockers, they didn't. If we went there straight, we would have been stuck with luggage the entire time. The invisible men were watching on us.


We then took the same shuttle back to the airport and then onto the bus 5A. We were downtown at 12.45, a bit later than we originally thought, but at least with free hands. The plan was to walk from the 7th St down on Independence Ave to the Washington monument. But it was SO hot. 96F, going on 106F! The circular bus we thought to take was only operating on the weekends. After few blocks we saw the National Museum of African Art. Kinda symbolic for us, we thought, so we walked in for a bit to cool down under the AC.

It was obvious that the heat, on top of our tiredness and lack of sleep and the jet lag, was draining us fast, so we decided to take the taxi to the Washington monument. It saved us some time, and we didn't plan on visiting the museums on that Ave anyway. It was really uncomfortably hot walking around the monument where there were no trees. We were grateful for every little breeze and a cloud blocking the sun. We cooled off a bit in the fountain along with other visitors, and then in the shade walked along the reflecting pool toward the Lincoln memorial. Hot and hot. We took in the views and the pictures and then took the taxi again toward the Capitol.

I didn't realize that we could go onto the front lawn and right up to the capitol building. I guess I've usually seen the pictures of it from a far, because up close, the building didn't remind me of that capitol at all. It wasn't too crowded around. We didn't make arrangements to get a tour of the capitol, which was fine because we wouldn't have time for it anyway. We wanted to catch the 3.30 bus back to the airport, to have enough time to go to that other museum to pick up our bags and then back to the airport and through the security in time for our 6.50 pm flight.

Well, as we were looking for the location of our bus stop, some streets in the area were blocked off with dozen police cars. Someone told us that it appears the president hds went in to a pizzeria there! If we hung around for a bit we probably could have seen him. The people in DC must be tired of having to deal with these street closings. We saw the bus leave and the rain started just then. Luckily, the next bus pulled in and we were able to get inside just before the huge storm. If the storm came in an hour or two before, we would not be able to see anything in the city. The invisible men helped to time it just right.

We were told these buses often run even half an hour behind, as our bus into the city didn, but this one left right on time at 4. Even with the blocked off streets, the torrential rain, the rush hour traffic, we reached the airport right on schedule. Again, the invisible men sought to that.

By the time we got our bags, got through the really slow security line, long hallways through the entire terminal, took the train to our next terminal, we were at the gate just at the scheduled boarding time. But, because of the storm, the flight was delayed just enough for us to go get some food and coffee. How perfect is that!

Our mission to see the DC in few hours was accomplished. And the invisible men were on our team!

Uganda Adventure: Day 16; Travel

Bye-bye Uganda.

We left the hotel at noon. I didn't sleep well because the AC was not working and Kampala is much warmer than west Uganda. I called them about it in the afternoon, but when we got back from dinner at 11, they forgot to fix it. They tried to work on it till 1, and then gave up and brought me a fan instead.

We picked up Ada and said goodbye to fr. Izzy at the bishop's house. Sebastian and Lawrence came with us to the airport. We stopped for lunch, but I really couldn't eat three full meals today. Balinda dropped us off at 3, and I am sure he was glad to finally be free from us. :)

After some trouble with the group tickets (they had many issues with those), our flight roll began. This time, on both Ethiopian flights the white people were an obvious minority. I guess all those mission groups were not ready to come home just yet. We said goodbye to Sequeiras in Addis and wished them a good trip in Egypt. I was ready to be back on American soil again. Our long flight was 17+ hours.

Uganda Adventure: Day 15; Kampala

Today is our last full day in Uganda. Tomorrow we start our travel back to the States. :( and :) Sad and happy. Sad because a good vacation is coming to an end. Happy to get back to people and things I've been missing.

After breakfast, again the Spanish omelets, the driver took the four of us to the arts and crafts village, just behind the National Theatre. It was just what I was looking for. The local crafts; woodwork, baskets, paintings, drums, African shirts, t-shirts, jewelry,..... It's like s strip mall, relatively small, maybe 40 tiny little stores that are packed with stuff.

We told the driver we'd be back in 2 hours, but it took me over an hour just to go through each store to see what's in them. Then I went back and started deciding what to buy. They have really good deals, no more expensive than in the little towns out west. We ended up staying for 3 hours, and fr. JC took the boda-boda back to the hotel. We had a light lunch when we returned around 4, but then there was no other plan for the rest of the afternoon. I then decided to go back to the market, because I felt rushed in the morning. And I went on foot. I got the directions from the hotel personnel, and it took me less than 15 min to get there. I was just fine. And I finally got to see the parrots, in the city. They were on a billboard ad for printing. :)

In the evening, the family went to dinner with the friends they met at Mountains of the Moon hotel, and fr. Izzy came with fr. Tony, and fr. JC and I went to dinner with them. I was in a nice company! The dinner was at a wonderful restaurant, the Lawns, where there is very tight security (they even check the bags). The dinner was fantastic, and the setting was beautiful. Beautifully designed lawn with huge trees, comfortable cushoiny chairs, and a spacious porch. I was surprised when I looked through the menu that I even craved some things, like chocolate, yogurt, even ice cream! I guess I am ready to go home. :)

I still have some packing to do, but it's good that we don't have to leave very early. Our flight is at 5 PM. I will have 11 hours in Washington DC, so Ada and I plan to go down town. That still seems too far away to think any further. I still want to take in more of Uganda while I still can.

Uganda Adventure: Day 14; To Kampala

Ah, vacations! Just when you feel totally content and at home, it's time to pack up and leave. Just like life.

It's a school day and the kids on the other side of this property were playing before 8. Then, the lawn maintenance crew woke me up again by edging the grass right in front of my balcony. They do it here with a machete!

I grew accustomed to this hotel. It's not as peaceful nor luxurious as the Mweye lodge, but we spent more time here. The staff recognizes us, and when I come to the front desk they know I came for the computer room key. :)

At noon, we left the hotel and headed toward Kampala on the same road that is all dirt and holes for the 2nd half. We passed few tiny towns and villages; children walking on the side of the street back from school. It's amazing that there were kids as young as 6-7 on the road, by themselves. And the "emergency lane" here is really just 2-3 feet wide. They are so close to the passing vehicles. I guess that is why their uniforms, for those who have them, are in bright colors: yellow, pink, purple, blue... so that they can be seen. They were just walking, in small groups or alone, barefoot on hot pavement, sometimes carrying little plastic lunch bucket and/or a notebook. If they got tired of carrying them in their hands, they would just put it on their heads and continue on. :) It's also interesting that more often the smalled children don't have shoes, but the older they get less of them are barefoot. You'd think that very little ones have more sensitive feet that require more protection. But I guess if they don't develop hard skin when they're little, it would be harder later.

The scenery was lushes hill country. Musana trees with bright yellow flowers and Muko trees with bright red flowers, stood out. There were even pine trees, planted forestation, used mostly for timber. Long horn cows, goads, boda-bodas, and women with stuff on their heads were also on the road. Besides the babies, they never carry things on their backs. They walk with straight shoulders and chins up as they carry those loads.

We stopped for 1.5 hours in Mubende, the same town we stopped at on our way from Kampala the first week we traveled, and had lunch in Town View Hotel up on a hill. We were in Kampala at 7. The driver this time took us on some alternative roads, so we luckily escaped the traffic jams in the city center.

We were staying at a Chinese hotel, Fang Fang. Being in a large and densely populated city, and staying at a Chinese hotel is such a culture shock. Chinese people work here, it's decorated in Chinese style, and their restaurant is all Chinese menu. What a difference from the last few days.

We were all pretty tired after that long ride, that after dinner we just went to our rooms. Even though we were in the city center, the rooms were quiet. Good night sleep.

Uganda Adventure: Day 13; Celebration at the cathedral

Today is Sunday. And a celebration day for the 7 men ordained priests 25 years ago.

We gathered at the cathedral at 10. It is a large, round, modern building on the Church Hill, that can accommodate 1000 people. We were escorted to the front (of course) of family section. Once the Mass started, there were still dozens of people and children outside at each wide open door.

A large, close to 100 members, choir was dressed in turquoise and gold robes. There were playing electronic organ and 5-6 different drums and rattles. They sung very nice in four parts, mostly in the local language, but also in English and Latin. they even sung the Handle's Hallelujah! The celebration was a tid bit more 'westernized" than those last week in Kamwenge.

The procession started with barefoot dancers and followed with more than 30 priests, 7 jubilants, and 9 bishops. There were members of the parliament, local government, a governor, and members of the king Toro family.

At one point, the realization again hit me that I am at the heart of Africa. I kind of became aware of larger Africa, where Uganda is relative to other countries, not just my current new surroundings. I think this week I am finally familiar enough of this whole different environment that I feel comfortable. Comfortable in the sense that I can look at a broader picture and contemplate how someone living in the region might relate to the rest of Africa and the world. It was no longer a continent out there, it for me became a very integrated part of the world. It entirely, with the whole world, became one whole community. The borders, different languages, cultures,.. all blended together, and I felt part of something much bigger. And then, at transubstantiation, we all, the whole world on this day, joined with heaven and exalted Hosanna! (my words are not sufficient to describe what I felt)

After the Mass we greeted a 92 year old monsignor Hilarion, ordained 60 years ago, who is an advisor to the pope and hears his confessions! A joyful and funny man as well.

The program then started. We hoped to sneak out early, but we were seated at the front, next to the bishops! No getting out of that easily. :) The dances, gift presentations, and speeches followed. One interesting thing is that if the performer (which all of them were children and youth) was not good, people will lough, with no shame. Many gifts, small and large were presented. The president of Uganda donated 5 million Ugandan Shillings (just over $2000) to the bishop, and he is even not Catholic! Speeches were long, as usual. As the MC in Kamwenge said: "A good speech is like a mini skirt - long enough to cover the essentials, but short enough to keep the interest!" The prime minister of the king of Toro spoke the longest I think. We were saying they should have slowly lover the volume on the microphone, like at the Oscars, to fade him out! Uganda, like the UK, has both the king and political government. The king's palace is right here in Fort Portal. He is a young 18-year-old, and was crowned at the age of just 3 when his father died.

We snuck out the back just after 4, at an opportune time during one of the bishop's' talks. They were gonna go for at least another hour and just then eat. They were speaking Toro language most of the time, so it's not like we understood what they were saying anyway. We got to the hotel and enjoyed À la carte dinner. It seems our group is getting tired of matokes. The afternoon was just a relaxed one.

I met some young people from the piece corps here at the hotel, who actually live in Uganda for the past year and work with the local government. One of the happened to live right there at the Church Hill with the seminarians. They had some interesting experiences here.

Tomorrow we are on the road again, going to Kampala.

Uganda Adventure: Day 12; Mountains of the Moon

Things are usually better in the morning. For me, this morning they were.

Last evening, the group went to dinner with the bishop, but I stayed at the hotel. The quiet and solitude was better for my acking body. I used the computer for a bit, and then ordered dinner. After more than 24 hours of not eating almost anything, I was a bit hungry. Having an appetite is a good thing! I saw someone eating what looked, and was served as, fajitas, and I felt the craving for it. It was actually sweet and sour pork, the sauce still bubbling when they brought it. It was too much food, and cautious not to overeat again, I stopped when I was full. No dogie bag here. It was good dinner.

I took some Pepto again, just in case, Omega 3, and slept really good. Feeling much better in the morning. Avoided the eggs in the morning, and instead had cereal for a change. I guess I had eggs every single morning here, and my body just said enough. Sometimes you gotta listen to what the body says.

We were supposed to go to some hot springs park today, a full day event, with lots of driving. The group told me last night that they changed the plans and we would go to a much closer place, caves, to look at the stalactites and stalagmites. They didn't think I was good enough for the hot springs, and I felt really bad that they changed the plans because of me. I could have just stayed here at the hotel and they go. I was glad we'd have a shorted drive, though; it's getting a bit old, and we still have plenty of it left to do.

However, our driver never showed up! As we grew accustomed that things here are not always on time, we were still hopeful he'll come, even after an hour. But he never did. We didn't have his number, and fr. Izzy was away the whole day, and his phone turned off. But, it was OK. The rest might have been just what the doctor had ordered. I just wish their free Internet here was any good, so I could upload some photos! The entire day I think I was able to upload just five!

When father came back in the afternoon, he called the driver (who apparently was waiting for a call from him the whole day) and he came because I wanted to go to a shop downtown before we leave. I went there looking for a drum that I saw a week ago, but they only had one left that was damaged. :( Maybe in Kampala.

Another "it's a small world" story: Austin, here at the hotel, saw his neighbour from Goa from when they were little! He lives in Kampala and is here on vacation with his family. They practically lived next door. Amazing!

Many Indians live in Uganda, but they, nor anyone else, can not become a citizen unless one of their parents is Ugandan. Even children born here are not citizens. There are other quests here from other parts of Uganda and some local young people just dancing at the bar.

Tomorrow is a big day of celebrations again. I'll have to watch not to eat too much. Low calorie breakfast and carrots and chips for lunch felt very good today.