In Kampala

Aunt Susan, my cooking teacher, got married on the 13th of Dec. Her introduction was on the 12th. It was good to see what a true introduction is like since we were with the groom’s family last time and had a shortened introduction since we got there so late. Abby and I were in one of the groups that got to go out and welcome the visitors. We had to get into our Gomesi. The changing area with an open room with no windows to close and no door since the house was being built. We got changed out in the open with different people walking by so that was interesting. Different groups of women go out and kneel to welcome the groom’s family. The aunt of the bride then goes and finds the groom within the visitors and place a hat on him so everyone knows that he is the groom. Then the sister of the groom goes and finds the bride and gives her a basket of flowers so everyone knows that she is the bride. The groom’s family then needs to bring in the dowry and they explain what they brought for the bride’s family. After much talking and the cutting of the cake, the groom’s family is feed. We got there at 1 PM but the introduction did not begin until around 5 PM. We left around 10:30 PM and they were just beginning the dancing. They requested that I dance before we left so I danced a couple of dances and they were so excited to see it, but it’s really hard to dance in a Gomesi.
On Sat., the wedding was supposed to begin at midday but it did not begin until 3 PM. I’m glad because it gave me some time to spend with some of my friends who were in the wedding or who had come for the wedding. The reception was about a 30 min. drive from where the wedding occurred. Osborn had promised all of the children still at the school that they could go to the reception so we had 34 people in a van that is supposed to only carry 14 people. Most of us had a child on our lap, but it was good to see that they got to enjoy the day too since Aunt Susan was almost like a mother to many of these children. The reception was only in Luganda so Abby and I were lost most of the time. We got to the reception around 7 PM and left around 10 PM.
I was able to travel back to Kampala with Osborn when he left on Sunday. It has been nice being back in Kampala and spending time with many of my friends. I have also had some days just to relax. I have read 3 books already and I’m working on another one. It is good to sleep in and not have to worry about teaching some. It is a good way for me to recover and continue getting stronger from being sick. I get to begin my first full year in about three weeks.
One of my friends invited me to a Christmas Cantata that his church is putting on. It was very nice to go because it is helping me think that Christmas is only about 3 days away although I still am having a hard time believing that it is December. I am making program (plans) with some of my friends for the holiday season. They have been good about helping me feel at home, but it still is strange to be away from my family for the first time in my 27 yrs for Christmas.