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on Um Zayd wa Atheer (Uganda), 01/Jan/2012 11:48, 34 days ago
Confusing timesI had forgotten about the African clock. The day starts at 6am ie at day break so 7am becomes 1 o'clock, midday 5 o'clock and so on. My forgetfulness has led to some confusion all round but especially with Komakech, the askari. There's a lot going on I my head so I could be excused but Komakech is quite unforgiving and scary to boot. He is not a young man as the grey blond tufts on the end of his chin portray. I don't know the colour of his hair, perhaps he doesn't have any. Komakech sports a brown and beige woolly hat with ear flaps (Scandinavian style). Otherwise he resembles a scarecrow. We exchange words, which do not pass for a conversation, and as he walks away he scoffs out loud. Clearly he is not impressed with me although as a Catholic he offers me God's blessings. Maybe he thinks that's my only hope. I have been here 5 days and so far he has requested a jacket, a bicycle to replace the one stolen on Saturday night, beer and a Christmas bonus. I have tried to encourage him to guard the compound (garden) for long periods but he was unimpressed. I think I was using the wrong clock.There is one matter about which there was no confusion. Komakech has a bow and arrow and if necessary he will shoot to kill. I gasped when he told me this and reminded him that he was a Christian. 'No matter Madam, they will want to kill you and take away you riches'. I would still prefer that he aimed at the legs rather than the heart or brain.The Cutlery BoxI have three cutlery 'boxes' at home. The main drawer has a Lakeland tray that tidily separates knives from forks from spoons. On the windowsill I have two earthenware jars, one tall and one small for everyday cooking utensils that are divided completely by size and are easily reached for during cooking. In addition I have a collection of kitchen utensils which I don't use very often but which I want to keep for various reasons. The bean slicer comes into it's own for about one month a year. Most of my wine stoppers have been gifts. The Indian napkin rings are never used but are really pretty. These utensils do not belong in the main drawer or in the jars but are housed haphazardly in another small drawer. They are literally out of the box but some are unique, clever, attractive, unusual and even useful. They belong together. I'm tempted occasionally to throw some of it away but never do.VSO volunteers can usually be described as individuals who are out of the box. They bare strong similarities to my random kitchen utensils. Some would never fit into the main drawer of adult life, some have moments of brilliancy whilst there are a few that one would wonder why they are kept at all and they only create clutter. I refrain to say which category I think I come under.