Uganda Vs. Nigeria

Soccer game. The first time I past the enormous Nelson Mandela Stadium in Namboole, on the outskirts of Kampala, I knew I wanted to watch a football game there. That was over a year ago, but I finally fulfilled of my many goals I have during my time here. Last Saturday I went with some other volunteers to one of the biggest games of the year, Uganda verses their rival: Nigeria. I knew it would be a crazy game and a bit unsafe, but fun none the less. Since this was a big game, the already high ticket prices went higher and unfortunately we bought the most expensive seats. When purchasing the tickets, the lady at the phone accessories store, that's attached to a credible, expensive, muzungo eatery, said that there were three ticket prices with the differences being: lowest-no seats or shade, mid-range-shade but no seats, highest-shade and seats. Then she mentioned that sometimes there are seats for the people who arrive early in the mid-range seats, early as in 8am for the 4:30pm game. Therefore, we decided the expensive tickets were worth it. Leaving Kampala at 2pm, we got to the stadium at 3:30pm, a ride that usually takes 20 minutes. Once we entered the stadium, we tried to look for any indication of seating assignments or people that may work there, but found none, so we asked the most reliable person we could think of: a guy in army fatigues. He pointed us in the right direction of the 'special seats' that had an iron gate before it and when we arrived there were about 30 people loitering in front of the door. Apparently there were a bunch of drunk men who went out to get another drink and left their tickets inside but for some reason the workers didn't take them to the side and deal with the situation, they made us stand there and wonder what the hell was going on. The way lines or any type of waiting for an entry goes in this country is to push and push and cut in line until you are inside or have received your thing. There is no sense of personal space, you are generally jammed against someone until the line gets moving, even then, if you can move an inch, they expect you to or will try and cut in front of you (this is how driving and parking is too, but that's another blog for another day...). But we finally got in and realized that all tickets have the same seating and optional cover. However, the most expensive seats were in the middle of the field and the sun at your back. But after the team started warming up on the field, I realized for my only game in Uganda, it was worth the extra money because although people were still obnoxiously excited, they were not crazy like in the other part of the stands, and we had a great view of the game. The game started with Ugandans being typical Ugandans: working individually, trying to be showoffs, being dramatic and having none of these tactics working. The larger and bulkier Nigerian team played composed, clean, and patient soccer-so naturally they had possession most of the time. First goal was by the Nigerians after a quick transition and the highly skilled forward got the ball at the top of the box, completely schooled two Ugandan defenders and had a beautiful, low, hard shot in the opposite side of the goal. After that, in my opinion, the Nigerians got a little too affected by the crowd and dirty, dramatic way the Ugandans played. Right before the first half, Uganda tied the score from a penalty kick, earned because the goalie came out and apparently clipped the forwards feet. After a quick and boring halftime (no halftime show like during the Superbowl (-: but it wasn't a long break), the second half was exciting but disappointing as both teams played sloppier and more dramatic, aka, more to the level of the Ugandan players. With about 10-15 minutes left (I don't know because the digital clock at the stadium wasn't working), the a Ugandan forward totally dramatized a fall in the box and they scored on a penalty kick. After that blow, the Nigerian team couldn't earn another one, even though they had a few chances with the ball just missed the goal by 2 feet at most. After the game, people threw bottles and tons of garbage onto the field while storming the players and invading the field. It was complete chaos with people cheering, dancing, and celebrating like they earned the win themselves. On one hand, I was so angry that the better team was cheated out of a win because of technicalities and the dirty game the Ugandans played almost embarrassed me. Yes yes, when I played soccer I was also very aggressive, on the fence of dirty, but I tried very hard and prided myself with playing with class and integrity. The Ugandans tried as hard as they could to rub it in the faces of the visiting Nigerians that they won and surprisingly, no fights broke out and as far as I could see they didn't retaliate. They were not sore losers as much as Ugandans were classless winners. In the stream of thousands of people trying to leave the stadium on a dirt, two lane road, we found 4 huge Nigerians walking towards Kampala. As it was getting dark and being short, fairly weak muzungus, we decided to walk with them, because even as people jeered and shouted things at them, they just laughed and kept walking. One even said that he was so happy because this must be the best day of the year for Uganda. I knew none of the scrawny Ugandans would do anything to these mammoth men, so as night was soon coming, we figured we would walk with them. Once they noticed three young white kids with them, not too hard since there aren't many of us, they were very nice and made sure when they got in a taxi that we would be ok. Basically, I was very impressed with the nature of the Nigerians I saw today. I know I am a little biased because I did not see the game in Nigeria when Uganda lost a few months ago. Although disappointed in the outcome of the game, it was a great experience and I would not have changed anything. It really was amazing for this little country to feel some kind of pride and patriotism, because they usually show so little. So thinking for Uganda, I am very glad they won, even if it wasn't an honorable win. After the game, I heard someone say, 'wow, it's like they have never won anything in their life.' As a country? Not so much.

Workshop

Last week I returned home from a workshop that lasted almost 2 weeks at a teacher's college in Iganga. It was a refresher course for all CCTs (coordinating center tutor, like a education monitor and developer for the village schools in a county) that any PCVs associated with the college had to go to in order to 'fully understand the job of the CCT.' This kinda makes sense seeing how we work hand in hand with the CCT and our official job is to work with them to improve the education system here. However, the workshop was one part of a course that they will receive a certificate of merit for and we are just there to give ideas and network. I had a good time overall because I was able to meet and get to know some of the new volunteers that just swore in a few weeks ago. The workshop was a bit of a burden for them because the first few months are meant for setting up your house and getting to know your community. They had basically arrived at their site then had to leave within a day or two. Most don't have any furniture, food, or basic necessities and haven't unpacked. It was kinda strange for me at the workshop because I went to a workshop there last year for thematic curriculum training and I was the only PCV there. At first it was frustrating and I really wished there were other volunteers there, but after a while I got to know other tutors and it was nice being the center of positive attention. At this past workshop there were about 6 volunteers there and I tried to talk with the other tutors but found myself hanging out mostly with the PCVs. I don't really like that because I feel integration is necessary and I find it ridiculous when minority groups segregate themselves, but many times it was just so much more convenient because I could speak with my normal speed, use slang, reference America, and say things that people can actually understand and/or relate to. I ended up trying to compromise and hang out with the tutors and bringing one or two of the PCVs with me and during breaks talking with the tutors. Anyways, other exciting things that occurred at the workshop: seeing hail in Uganda, within 3 minutes falling and scraping my knee then being hit by a horned cow on the way home, and getting my watch stolen because of an unbeknown broken window. Overall I had a great time and and it's just one more of my many experiences as a PCV.