Is it wrong that just now, instead of meeting a Ugandan government minister, I ditched it for a pedicure? I couldn’t help it. All day I’ve been dreading the meeting, because of the extremely complex issue about which we would be meeting: a massive land conflict that has even gotten the attention of very high level government officials. I volunteered myself and a local organization to mediate. Yeah.
But I don’t even think that’s why I ditched. I think I was just exhausted. I can’t really moan about being tired. I slept ok, which for me doesn’t happen always. I think it’s a deep, cumulative exhaustion that comes with the territory of life abroad and challenging work. Almost every exchange I’ve had this week has been awkward and semi-confrontational.
This week began with a journey to Lira to try and get our ducks in a row in advance for the mediation. This means basically holding mini-mediations with each of the various potential stakeholders. Mediation is exhausting, especially for an impatient person such as myself.
The next exhausting phases of the week was the ever predictable torture of bureaucracy. This week’s episode in the battle of the muppets is the pendulum swing from advanced project close out to jockeying for a sudden chance of an extension. Sigh. Although a new potential hero has emerged to help us wade through the dizzying waster of time, space, energy, water, oxygen, taxpayers money, etc. etc. Nevertheless, I remain as always astounded by the inability to outsmart the wiles of, well, a door knob. Damn u waskily door knob!
Most likely, the biggest culprit of the exhaustion is Café Larem. I’ll save the litany of ups and downs for a separate blog. However, I will say that Mollie and I had a show down with a certain member of staff who was basically bullying everyone, including us. Silent treating from my own staff? For no apparent reason? Ich don’t think so. The good news – our new partner Santos road in on his white horse and saved the day and a job.
Gulu ran out of water this week and the power was “dim.”
When I reached Kampala today I met with a grantee and had a sinking feeling after the meeting that my bright idea was not going to be realized with quite the level of brilliance I would have hoped for. A series of exchanges combining frank criticism and avoidance did not allay my fears.
As I left their office and hit the fading, yet still potent heat of the African sun, I hopped on a boda boda, letting the breeze ruffle my just washed and rarely down hair. I thought this was so relaxing…I wanted it to continue.
So here I am ¾ of the way through an awesome pedicure at Sparkles in Garden City. It feels great and after writing this slightly wingy justification, I think I can forgive myself for skipping the minister.
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