Our new home

We finished our 2 weeks of Swahili language training and all received certificates.  Not sure about the other students but mine was just for attendance.  We all enjoyed our stay at the TCDC College at Usa River but were glad to be heading to our new homes at the end of it.

Road safety sign in the college grounds.  I like the way the soccer ball has bulged out the triangle side.

Fluent Swahili speakers can now order beers in local bars.

Jenny and I headed off in our little borrowed Suzuki first thing Saturday morning and drove along the new (nearly finished) southern bypass road.  A bit longer in distance but hardly any traffic and no traffic police checkpoints.  Our car's annual safety sticker is out of date and we were unable to get a new one at the Usa River police station.  They cost about 5000 shillings ($3) but we are liable to a 30,000 shilling fine every week until we get a new one.

We found the house without a problem but were early and had to wait a while for housekeeper Janet to arrive with keys.  The house is really lovely but it is sooo dark.  The trees and the design don't seem to let in much daylight. We have decided to purchase several standing lamps to move around as required.  Most of what we need is here but we will add a few items over the next weeks.  There are excellent little fruit and veg dukas just outside our gate and a range of shops along our road down to the highway.  The nearest 'proper' supermarket is about 20 minutes away - much better than our commute into Kampala for supplies when we lived in Uganda.

Wall spider near our front door.

Not sure what this chap's job is.

So far it is a quiet neighbourhood and the grounds are lovely with many large trees and flowering shrubs.  We have two dogs for company, birds and squirrels in the garden.  The other houses are occupied and we have met a couple of the neighbours.

Our front verandah.

Our back yard (now has a clothes line).

Another view of front verandah - note the bottles in the wall.

We are supposed to start work tomorrow.  Jenny has permission to start but the rest of the new volunteers are still waiting for their work permits.  We have been told we cannot legally start (but may visit). So I will pop out to work tomorrow to meet everyone properly and have a tour.  I'll grab some books from their library and stay home to read up on tropical agriculture until my permit comes through.  Wednesday is a public holiday (May Day) in any case.

Lounge-room with kitchen behind (flash used to penetrate the gloom).

Kitchen

Front door and little office area with excellent library.