Q: What was your first impression of Kapoeta?
A: It is hot and in the middle of nowhere. Man, this is not like Yei.
Q: How hot is it?
A: Approximately 135 degrees Fahrenheit, regardless of the time of day. The heat is so hot it makes you sleep. You know it’s hot when your flipflops are sitting in the shade and they burn your feet when you put them on. You know it’s hot when you’re still sweating sitting inside of an air conditioned truck.
Q: What are the main differences from your trip to Yei in 2008?
A: It’s nice not having Joey’s workers all ask to marry me. Feeling safe enough to walk everywhere without being driven is pretty sweet, too.
Q: What was your favorite thing about the visit?
A: Seeing my brother and sister-in-law in the flesh. (Really?!) Oh, and having an entourage of people following me. And touching my muscles and my hair.
Q: What surprised you most?
A: How much Sarah has changed—she gets her hands in the dirt and she’s not afraid of bugs anymore.
Q: Any disappointments?
A: [said while waving a finger] The speed of the internet. Now I can understand why I can’t talk to my brother and sister-in-law whenever I want to. I am ticked.
Q: What was the saddest part of the trip?
A: It started with tortoise rigor mortis [details in my next blog] and ended with saying goodbye to Joey and Sarah.
Q: What was your scariest moment while visiting?
A: While you might think it was seeing the big military tank haulers, it was actually taking a long call (pooping) with a scorpion in the bathroom—at your house!
Q: What would people be amazed by?
A: The ability to make American food in this hell hole—just kidding, it’s not that bad. It’s just hot. Oh, wait, did I say that already? Seriously, it was some good eating.
Q: What three pictures would enquiring minds most like to see?
A. The pad.
The green garden—amongst this dry, desolate landscape.
The mountain view—not what you’d expect to see.
Q: What fixer-up would most improve the house?
A: Constant electricity and a closed-off porch so I don’t have to lock my room everytime I leave it, and a lock on the bathroom door so people don’t barge all up in your space. [Francis: “sorry”] …and maybe a tukul for the in-laws.
Q: What advice would you give to future visitors to Kapoeta?
A: Bring an umbrella—this joint ain’t got no shade. Also, bring some boxer briefs; this place ain’t suited for chub-rub. And pack clothes that hide the sweat, or no clothes at all and just sunscreen and the umbrella. Oh, and check your bedsheets before climbing under the covers—after my encounter with the scorpion, I reassessed the value of my life.
Q: How might a girl convince her brother to come visit?
A: One word: boobs. There are lots of them here. Oh, and they sell Smirnoff in town…
Q: How might we convince our mothers to come visit?
A: Have a baby.
…And on that note, the interview is done. Quite obviously, this girl is out of order, but was a VERY welcome guest, nevertheless.
loved the post sarah & shana. she was right about the pictures to post and loved that you were all together for at least a little while!
ReplyDeleteit does not take boobs for me to come and visit...i'm not saying it doens't give an added perk to the trip though.
ReplyDeletePlease!!! No baby!!!! Not there!!!! I'll come visit if that's what you want - just send money for the ticket. Just promise no baby! - Pictures are GREAT!!!! They really give us a peek of what Kapoeta is like. Glad you had time together visiting.
ReplyDeleteI think all family and friends reading this blog should petition Francis' company to get them a better internet connection. This would allow Sarah the ability to upload more pictures and for more people to talk with Francis and Sarah via Skype.
ReplyDeleteI really understand now why more pictures have not been posted...dial up sucks!!