I rarely get greeted by a Ugandan until I am at least even with them on the road. Not that we greet everyone we see in America but we would usually do it at about 10 -15 feet out, usually around first eye contact, you know... so someone could respond before they have passed you. I am seriously considering a complete boycott on responding to people who do not give me the opportunity to respond with eye contact.
Some days I am likable, will hold a kids hand, tell them my name and work with them on how to pronounce it, and teach them things like high 5s and fist bumps. Other days I enjoy ignoring children. Yesterday, and usually when I am running, I was in ignoring mode. I love ignoring the children here because I don't think they have ever been ignored in their lives. When I pass them they yell, "See You", I don't flinch, 10 feet later, louder, "See You;" I don't react, then with obvious frustration, anger and, perhaps even personal insult in their voice they scream at the top of their lungs, "SEE YOU". I love when they get all worked up.
There is no word for exercise in Luganda and the concept has no place in their culture. People do not understand what I am doing or why I am doing it. People are getting used to me on my route now but early on was routinely approached by people thinking I was in some type of emergency or was running away from something, all offering to help. I still get motorcycle taxis driving up to me while I run saying they can take me.
I don't mind when children join me running for a kilometer or two, but am not very fond of when adults do it, especially after I've run 10k and am struggling to get up a hill and they are fresh.
Really didn't like it yesterday when some wise guy decided to ride his bike along side me for a few kilometers. Wasn't impressed.
On my 9k route the last k is downhill, but the 2k prior to that is about a 300 foot climb in elevation. Often the women sitting outside of their homes on that uphill stretch say, "Okooye" as I pass by, meaning, "You tire." Thank you so much for that. About a week ago they said as I went down the hill at the start of my run, "You will be tired." That is kind of the point.
I don't like the kids who say "See You, Muznung." I really don't like the kids who imitate my running movements while standing in place. They lift their knees and make rotational movements with their arms and giggle to themselves. I understand they have probably never seen anyone running their entire lives, except when playing soccer, still, I really don't like them.
I really really don't like the adults who do it, much rarer and usually bar patrons.
As I passed someone going the other way on a bicycle they shouted at me, at the top of their lungs, "YOU ARE PHYSICALLY FIT." This one admittedly made me laugh a little.
I ate the grasshoppers this past week. This doesn't have anything to do with running but wanted to get it on the blog. Kind of tasted like a potato chip, but less crisp.
Expecting running headphones and an iPhone armband for Christmas. Am awfully excited. I am noting landmarks and what time I pass them on the run so I can put together a playlist that has the best running music at the tough parts of the route. The 300 foot climb will be Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' and Tears for Fear's 'Who Killed Tangerine.'
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