::::I've Left Copenhagen for Uganda::::

I've been tagged - 8 random facts/habits about me

I have been tagged by Uganda's Scarlett Lion.

We have to post these rules before we give you the facts. 

1. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves. 
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules. 
3. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. 
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

1.  I am Nordic, not just Danish, but Nordic as in having a viking's selfconfidence and in treasuring Iceland for the Nordic sound of Bjørk and Sugarcubes, the clear light, sea and landscapes, and the way the viking women took charge a thousand years ago. If I were to choose another nationality than Danish I'd like to be Icelandic.

2. I am impatient, impulsive and stubborn. I like to test limits. Never afraid of entering a conflict if it can ease the air. Add to that cynical, ironical, sarcastic and abbrasive. If you ask, I'll tell you what I think, or I'd say little. I am learning to wrap it in, though. 

3. I love Africa. But I think all I'll be is a visitor. I might stay long, though, I hope. However, Africa, due to hospitality doesn't make me feel like a visitor, I feel at home any time. I think I am too different, too Nordic. Deep down I want to structure, act, change, manage time, make order in chaos, make people wear safetybelts, never to put children in the front seat of a car, to band all up-country coaches driving lethally and tie the arms and legs of the mad coach drivers and cut off their private parts.

4. I am not sure what impact I have had on Uganda. But I know for sure that Uganda had a big impact on me! And I am really thankful for that. It has changed my life and how I look upon myself. It has given me opportunities I wouldn't have had if I'd stayed home. In particular, it has improved my writing and photography. It made me a stable driver. It taught me to deal with shit on the spot and to make quick decisions. It makes everyday trouble in Denmark look small, which gives me the space to enjoy the bigger lines in life. It makes me happy in glimpses.

5. I get real angry when people patronise or degrade others. If people start abusing their authority or ability to put others down. People who think they are better than others. People who think they have the right to put limitations on others' lives: Like the teacher who makes fun of the pupils who can't read. The well-educated, urban upper-caste citizen - or the uptight mzungu  - who think that poor people = stupid peasants. Men who beat women. Xenophobic fascists in Denmark who claim that Denmark only is for Danes. Or fundamental Christians who believe it is wrong to be homosexual and that those must be ordered back to live a normal life.

6. On the other hand, It makes me very emotional when someone takes a pride and acts from strong selfdiscipline in making her/his life work and in achieving her/his goals. In spite of civil war, tribalism, hunger, poverty, educational skills, taboos - you name it.  And who will still meet you with a positive mind, insisting on making it in life her/his way.

7. I'd never do bungy-jumping or river rafting, too afraid. However, I once crossed the Indian Ocean in a dhow from Bagamoyo to Zanzibar overnight under the African stars. And in January 1997 I drove from the muslim-dominated area in Northern Bosnia to the Croatian-controlled area in the war-torn town of Mostar - in a rental car with Bosnian registration plates. I also like to going out in Jo'burg at night.

8. Where am I next year or in 10 years? I was never good at making plans regarding my professional life. It just keeps turning out for my liking. Regarding my personal life, I am even worse at making plans. However, I do intend to move towards settling somewhere for a longer period of time. Hopefully to combine what I like to do the most with Africa. Insha'Allah!

Tagging eight others:

1. Judith in the Jungle
2. The Mundu
3. Black Kush
4. TIA - This is Africa
5. Jkomboe
6. Punta Malia
7. Wholehearted Sudaneia
8. Mzungu Eiriki on a bike

Are we all ready for CHOGM?

Right, I can't really come to terms with the positive tone of the CHOGM campaign - bouncing from every street corner in Kampala that this one and that one is ready for CHOGM.

I keep imagining how fun it could be to make a responsive counter campaign displaying images of common, non-famous Ugandans - saying 'I am not ready for CHOGM!. (In fact I'm not so sure what it is, an why are they by the way removing schools and building hotels in stead...').

Exclamation mark instead of an 'i'

Back home the board of MS (Danish Association for International Co-operation) has decided joining Action Aid International.

The discussion finally reached the various country programmes in the South, among them MS Uganda, which has been discussing the issue at its latest Policy Advisory Council meeting.

I haven't been part of the discussion but have listened to what people say, and yesterday I noticed an Action Aid car in Kampala - the ones who use an exclamation mark instead of an 'i' to emphasise on action.

MS has just adopted an overall focus (democracy) and all country programmes have made a new 5-year strategy. People here are confused, and ask a lot of questions whereto the answers might only come later: on what terms are we joining?

Life in colors

I am 36 today! Thanks a lot for all the birthday greetings from everywhere! I really appriciate it. For the ones asking how I am - I can say without any doubt - that I am good. Healthy and happy. I am in Africa. And my life in general just seems to work out at the moment.

(I fear saying it, though, for being hit by another evil malaria parasite army).

But I do believe happiness arrives in bubbles. Not out of luck. A lot of hard work. Life is what you make it yourself. Deeds you did (or didn't do) for others who needed it, return.  I am a strong believer of the karma thing: - Give a lift to a back-packer or three Northern Ugandan women carrying heavy bags for the market, lend out your house to a lost visitor, or visit a friend in the hospital and someone else will do something good to you. It also helps to be surrounded by real cool and interesting people, who are real good at keeping contacts though some of them are far away.

Well, it also worked for me to get a job in Africa (I think the 27th might be against that advice, but he confessed to me last evening that apparently Danish people make an exception among the irritating ex-pats in Africa!). It will definitely add nuances to your color sceme which you never saw before.

Red African soil under your feet

After a while of walking barefeeted in flip-flops the skin of your feet harden, they turn red, and they feel alive.

For two years I didn't wear socks (except for the rainy trekking session in Drakensberg in South Africa in 2005), and I only wore closed shoes when absolutely a must.

I might sound spiritual here, but there is a certain feeling of freedom and earthy grounding attached to walking barefeeted in simple flip-flops.

These red feet are not mine, but belongs to my good South African friend - Ian - who would wear flip-flops to work if only the dresscode at the Standard Chartered in Johannesburg would allow it.

Photo taken in Harare, Zimbabwe in November 2003.

Today's Good Advice from Uganda:

Uganda is ready for CHOGM

Billboards and posters all over Kampala featuring famous Ugandans are telling us that Uganda is ready for CHOGM.

For a long time doubt has been expressed about Uganda's capacity, security and effiency to accommodate the meeting. We observe the daily progress of the construction of new hotels in the centre of Kampala, and ask each other if they will ever make enough room for the CHOGM participants arriving.

However, I see the billboard and poster campaign as an interesting  - and constructive - respond from the Ugandan government; - a positive branding of CHOGM - we ARE ready! I hope so. It is important to Uganda to get this attention. Positive attention. Read more here.

How to make children and how many?

In Uganda the New Vision today is asking with the high population growth rates in Uganda, how many children should a Ugandan family have? Half of the Ugandan population is below 15 years of age. Half the young girls of Uganda have had their first baby before the age of 18. See some interesting considerations and comments here.

In Denmark the Minister for Family claimed that the Danes are having too few children, and that they should have at least three children per family. At present the average is 1,8 child per family in Denmark. On March 7, 2007 the Minister of Family committed to investigate why the Danes don't have more children. She pointed out herself, when asked what she thought, that the Danes are too obsessed with decorating their homes and making things looking perfect, thus not having the energy for a time-consuming second or third child. Here the Danes commented on why they did not have more children (unfortunately all in Danish).

Another Nigerian giving his views on how to help Africa

I read this article from the LA weekly about Femi Kuti, son of Fela Kuti - referred to by Uganda's Scarlett Lion. Another Nigerian giving his views on how to help Africa. I tried to say something about this issue yesterday in my post here, but it never came as clear as Femi Kuti below!

What’s your take on Bono and concerts like Live 8 that campaign on behalf of Africa?

Bono doesn’t need to tell us that we are poor. We know we are poor. All these concerts come and go and nothing changes in Africa.


So then what’s the best way for concerned Americans to get involved with helping Africa?

Not to feel sorry for us but to be positive toward us. Do more business with us. Come and visit us. We, in turn, have to get stronger and not rely on leaders to do everything for us. We must take action ourselves. But Western democracies must also stop turning a blind eye to African corruption and start taking action — then we can start moving forward as a nation.

Recommendable litterature on malaria

It sparkled my interest to get to know more about malaria. The National Gepgraphic has an excellent article about malaria - how it works, the consequences and possible solutions - here.