Arrived and Settled

I wish that I could blog everyday. I see so much daily and what completely overwhelms me one day quickly seems manageable. But my expectations of using the internet were incorrect and it is just not as accessible as I thought. I have blogged a bit without internet and they are just saved on my computer so when I can get that online there will be more :)
We have started classes this week and moved in to our host families' home last Sunday. I will with my mom and dad (Mariam and Mike). My mom sells fruit at one of the markets in the city and my dad is a driver. I have a brother who is 5 who lives at boarding school, a sister who is 12 who goes away to school next week, and 2 aunts one who lives there only on the weekends, and one who is the house help.
This is there first time hosting a student so I am not sure they know what to do with me. I also overestimated the amount of English spoken here. My family does not know much but instead talks at me and about me in Lugandan. We are learning the language but there is nothing quite like learning an entire new language by complete submersion.
Okay and here is what you probably have been waiting for: I bathe from a bucket, and with no running water I use the bathroom in a pit latrine (picture a little rectangle hole in the ground). There is some electricity (mostly for the tv).
The food is abundant but simple. Matoke is the stable (smashed plantaines) often accompanied by potatoes and rice. I have eagerly decided to remain a vegitarian while here which I think is appreciated by family because that is cheaper.
It take 2 hours and just over 1 dollar to get to school. Everyone in the program is staying with different families varying from high class to lower middle class and different religions and family types. This provides some pretty varying experiences from home but also quite funny stories.
We have begun studying Luganda in class as well as theories of development. We will be here in the city for this week and next, then down to Rwanda for a week, then back for two weeks, then one week in rural Western Uganda.
After the 7 week we will begin our Independent practicum. We will disperse throughout anywhere in the country (except the far north where it is still quite dangerous). And either do independent research or work with an organization to research an element of development.
Our options are pretty open ended and I have a few ideas already on some things to look out but that is also what we will be working through these first few weeks.
Sorry this is so long, I just wanted to let you know all that has been going on. And I apologize if it is not well written (I am currently sweating in an internet shop where I am trying to beat the clock for the 40 minutes I paid a dollar for)
But if you are still reading this and want to talk more, I have a cell phone now :) Which may seem terribly expensive to call but if you have skype you can call from there to me for about 2 cents a minute. The best is if you call in the morning your time, which is my evening. I am 11 house ahead of California. The number is: 0701080368. I am not sure of the country code but skype knows it :)
Okay love love each of you. You are missed. But I am loving it here and so thankful for what an opportunity this is. I will try and write with more substance next time, I just wanted to give you and overview :)
Be Blessed!