Sometimes, even when you're 21, you might need someone to hold your hand in new situations. In Uganda, people hold hands as a way to be friends. It's a bit confusing, because lovers do not hold hands, it's a friendly thing... So discernment gets a little tricky. I experienced this phenomenon many times over my home stay in Mukono.
The first day I was with my family, my oldest sister took me to buy minutes for my phone. She held my hand the whole time. It seemed to be more of a precautionary measure rather than a friendly gesture. I really cannot blame her, though. If I had a foreigner in my care, I would probably exercise extra care as well. My independent spirit was slightly wounded because I know how to get to town and how to buy minutes for my phone. However, I went along as though I literally knew nothing. I knew that attempting to win would only be damaging to the relationship.
The next day I went to church with my host dad. He took me by the hand and walked me all the way to the front of the church and showed me to my seat. Then, I sat in that exact same spot for the next six and a half hours. Apparently, as I found out later, my family forgot me, or they lost me... even though I never moved. I don't actually know what happened, I just know I was forgotten at church for six and a half hours.
The next two weeks were quite interesting and quite humbling. I attempted to help cook the one day, and it took a lot of persuasion to convince my host mom to let me use a knife. As I cut up the cabbage, my host mom asked me if I had ever used a knife before. I said yes, I had, many, many times. I cooked and cleaned in the U.S. at my house and at school. My host dad, in great shock, looked at me and said, "WHAT!? We thought you have machines to do everything for you!" I was a bit shocked at this presumption and a little bit offended I was thought to be that helpless. Once again, I was humbled by the perceptions held of me. From day one, I was only allowed to rinse the dishes (No, I was not allowed to wash them) and cut up cabbage.
