April 3, 2013 - Outside my window...

The guest house where I am staying, Mulago Hospital Guest House, is conveniently located about a 5 minute walk away from the hospital and clinics where I am working. Even better, however, is that it is located within a peaceful grassy compound, slightly distanced from the usual hustle and bustle of Kampala. As opposed to the clatter of bicycles and honking horns of cars, matatus, and boda-bodas, the air is much more peaceful here. For that, I am incredibly grateful. I can sit out on our large lawn and not have to worry about getting run over by a boda-boda. Better yet, I can breathe fresh air, not dust- and exhaust-infested air like near the roads. One of the most interesting aspects of living here, however, are the sights and sounds right outside my bedroom window.

When I first got here and noticed the vervet monkeys all around the compound, I have to admit that I was a bit nervous. The monkeys are not afraid of people. At all. The will walk right up to you in search of food or some other treat. But, as I soon found out, they are incredibly harmless and quite entertaining to watch. Vervet monkeys are thought to be the most numerous monkey species in the world, so it's no surprise that there are at last 15-20 just on our guest house compound.

There are also dogs on the compound who, at times, have run-ins with the monkeys. The monkeys always manage to get away (thankfully) and then torment the dogs by throwing sticks at them from the rooftops. Very amusing!

In addition to the monkeys and dogs, there are many different types of birds on the compound. There is always a sweet symphony of birds chirping outside of my window at all hours of the day and night.

Most of the birds sing a very pleasant song; however, there is one type of bird in particular, known as the Pied Crow, who does not follow this pattern. I prefer to call them Little F*ckers.

I personally believe that one of their favorite things to do is sit on a tree right outside my window, with a group of at least three other F*cker friends, and quark their most god-awful, ear-splitting conversations directly in to my room. And their favorite time to do this? Around 5:00 in the morning. Not fun...

To add to the sounds of the monkeys, dogs, and birds, there are also people sounds. There are constant sounds of scrubbing and clothes-washing, both from my house and our neighbor. People here, just as in Nepal, pride themselves on keeping their houses and their clothing spick and span, so there are always sounds of water and suds close by.

Our compound neighbors a nursery school, where kids are often up, awake, and reciting the alphabet (or some other lesson) before I even drag myself out of bed in the morning. Throughout the day, there are constant sounds of children singing, playing, and laughing.

How can you not feel happy when these are the sounds you hear every day? I have to admit that it is nice to come back from a day in the hospital/clinic (which can be very difficult and frustrating at times) and just sit outside and take in these sounds and sights. It really helps calm me and make me remember that, despite what I may face during the day, there still is beauty in the world...