Work work + pictures of Kampala

So much for being bored at work here...there is more work than can be done, just preparing the survey and getting ready to train the research assistants, even before all of the GBD (slow, remote desktop) work we've gotten called up to do.

Last week, in no particular order:

-David left, so it's just Austin and me now. Aubrey and Kate are here for the training as well, but they're staying at the Sheraton and we don't see them as much.

-We sorted through ~400 applications for GAVI research assistants and team leaders and chose about forty to interview. Ugh. Apparently there's lots of unemployment here.

-I got assigned the urgent task of calling thirty-some research assistant applicants to let them know to come to interviews. Remember how I said it was hard to understand Ugandans in person? Ha. It worked out though. We have been reminded multiple times in the last few days that we need to speak slowly. I suppose I managed to communicate - people showed up!

-I helped interview the research assistants. Interviews aren't really ever pleasant for the interviewer or the interviewee.

-GBD! Nuff said.

-Many frustrating things that have to do with work that I can't really talk about here. Grrrrr. But I am learning/observing a lot.

Today:

Grocery shopping and market-browsing and mosque-touring.

UBOS (Uganda Bureau of Statistics). I think IHME should have this sign out front.

A window in the mosque. I showed up with no plan or reservations and there happened to be a boda-tour group starting a tour, so I joined them.

Mosque. Our guide tried to convince us that 'Kampala' is a combination of 'camp' and 'impala'...I'm more inclined to believe the guidebook, which says it is part of a Luganda phrase that means 'Hill of Antelope'

There's a really tall tower at the mosque. I guess it's for calling people to prayer, but i didn't ask. Tourists like it, though.

The view from one side of the tower. Basically just city in every direction. You can kind of see in this picture how hilly Kampala is.