Source of the Nile?

Apparently there is some disagreement about the location of the "true" source of the Nile River. Uganda claims the source to be in Uganda (naturally), near the town of Jinja. However, Rwanda argues that because the source of Lake Victoria flows from several mountain rivers within Rwanda, that is where the "real" source lies. While this might seem like a silly squabble, it has real monetary implications. It is not only a matter of national pride but tourists pay big bucks to visit such sites. I think most (all) people I've talked with agree that Uganda is the "true source", but then again perhaps my sample is a bit biased...

In other news: The U.S. based organization (Foundation for Sustainable Development) through which my internship functions offers interns (me) the option to apply for a grant to help their host organization. I worked on my proposal the past few weeks and yesterday I learned that my grant was approved and FSD is going to fully fund my proposal. I'd never written a grant before so I was pretty pleased.

We're (Skills Plus and I) going to purchase a new (relatively) computer for their computer training program along with a UPS voltage protection device (electric current is sometimes crazy here and can fry computers). The computer will replace the one Skills Plus is currently renting (a not very good computer at 50,000 USHs per month. Not a lot in U.S. dollars, $31.25, but here it is significant). The rent money will then be allocated to helping support Skills Plus' tailoring program. FSD stresses sustainable development and I think my grant (there were other parts to my plan but its like 9 pages so...) accomplishes this.

More News: I learned the Busoga King (the Chappazinga) is building a palace nearby Caesar's house. Real Ugandan royalty! I've seen it from the dirty passenger window of a car, but I hope to do a walking tour before I leave. Oh right, in case you are not familiar with Uganda the Busoga are one of the many tribes here (Buganda, Busoga, Acholi, etc..)

I learned how to make chapati yesterday. It's really pretty easy. I wonder how it would taste with spicy hummus? Probably delicious.

More Ugandan English. To walk downhill is to "slope". Uphill is to "climb". To run along the side of the road is "road work". Food with any of the tea breaks is called "escort". Margarine is called "blue band" (the only brand in Uganda...Makes me think of Kleenex).

Yesterday I had a very long and interesting conversation (no power again) with one of the volunteers who was a former pilot and aeronautic engineer. We talked about "democracy" in Uganda, why Ugandans of Indian descent are not called Ugandans, why power is terrible here (he wants Uganda to build nuclear power plants), the effects of global warming and industrialization (his words...In my opinion Uganda is hardly industrialized) on Lake Victoria, and the absurd population growth in Uganda (half the country is younger than 15... the newspaper here said if the current growth rate continues the population is projected to be nearly 100 million by 2050).

My family was asking me about western music so I decided to let them listen to my Ipod shuffle. They loved the little device, especially my host brother, Steven. While I think he legitimately likes my music (he really liked the few Metallica songs I have), Caesar seems to enjoy more the act of using the Ipod rather than actually listening to the music. He had the headphones in for perhaps 15 minutes before I realized I hadn't shown him how to turn it on. I don't think he likes my music very much because he hasn't asked to listen since....