Fourth of July weekend in Kampala was filled with just as many barbeques, pool parties, and fireworks as any July 4th that I have spent in the States! Saturday, one of my good friends, who is also a diplomat on his first tour with the Foreign Service, hosted a huge 4th of July party at his home, and invited over a hundred fellow diplomats and Ugandans. He hails from Tennessee, and his invitation promised target practice with a BB gun for any guests who had never shot something. I knew it would be a great party.
On Saturday, U.S. Marines barbequed hamburgers, diplomat’s children played in the pool and country music blared. It was difficult to remember that I was not in fact at home in California, but instead thousands of miles, and a few continents away, in Africa. Everyone brought side dishes, we taught Ugandans the good ol’ American game of dodgeball, and we finished off the night around a campfire watching Forrest Gump on a projector outside. On Sunday, the American Recreation Association of Kampala hosted their annual July 4th celebration, including another barbecue, performances by Ugandan acrobats and a children’s choir, and a great fireworks display. During the fireworks, I found myself next to a young girl who could not have been more excited by every spark; the word happy wouldn't do it justice. Her entire face was face-painted as a butterfly and she squealed with delight after every explosion. Sitting next to her made me excited again to see the display, and it occurred to me that no matter how many different times I have seen fireworks in my life, this was the first, and maybe only time I would watch them on the 4th of July in Uganda. I commented to the young girl’s mom how fun it was to sit next to her, and we spoke for a little while. The girl is half American and half Ugandan, and was born at the University of Michigan hospital. It really is a small world.
On Monday, July 4th the Marines hosted a small get together at their house, and I invited a group of girls I had met the night before. These 4 girls are my age and have come to Uganda through a program at Yale, and they were really excited to meet more Americans. The Marine BBQ marked my 3rd in a row, and I was just ready to sleep. I knew the next day at the Embassy would be a long one.
When my roommates and I arrived at the Embassy on Tuesday, tents and decorations were up, and people were scurrying about making last minute preparations for our largest representational event of the year. Around 4pm, I made my way to the security gates and started to escort in the invited media. After supervising them through various security measures, the press was brought down to the event area so that they could set up their equipment. I quickly made my way to the opposite entrance so that I could man my post- the Flag Pin station. The colorful pins show both the American and Ugandan national flags joined, and I had no idea they would be such a hot commodity. Everyone that entered the event passed by me and was pinned, if they so desired. I think that out of the 500+ guests that walked by me, one woman declined. (My fingers were severely indented from pinching- rough life.) This job was really exciting because I got a chance to meet every foreign dignitary and large contributor in attendance. Our guest of honor was the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs. I welcomed him with a pin on his chest, and he continued on to the reception line. Without nametags for anyone, I knew it was important to greet every single person like they were an Ambassador or Prime Minister of their country, because more often than not, they were. I introduced myself kindly and graciously, and depending on their accent I could get a slight hint of where they came from. Some guests immediately introduced themselves with their name, country, and government position, while others were more reserved with their response. I met the Ambassadors of Austria, South Korea, Germany, and Belgium, the Commanders of the Indian, French, and Italian armies, the CEOs of some of the biggest corporations in Uganda, and many religious, NGO and local leaders. I met one very kind woman, who told me she was from France, and as I pinned her with the flags we spoke together in French and she told me that she was in fact the Ambassador (or ambassadrice, to be more accurate). I tried to contain my excitement, not only because I was speaking with the ambassador, but also because she was a woman! At this point it’s accepted and respected that many of the world’s political leaders are and will be women, but up until that point many of the powerful guests I had met were men, and I was greatly enthused to see the French Ambassador before me. Every attendee wished us congratulations on our 235th anniversary, and repeatedly thanked anyone they encountered for having been invited to such a special event. I was very proud to be one of the first people these honored guests encountered upon their arrival at the Embassy, and I hope each one felt well received. There were a few tricky moments- like when I signaled someone forward to be pinned, only for him to be cut by a VIP, who I had been instructed to serve first. Or another, when I tried to put a pin on a major financial contributor to the event (a boutonniere on the chest signaled this status) but dropped the pin in his chest pocket and had my hand fully inside, fumbling around until I quickly realized it was probably just better to grab a new one. Moments like these definitely got awkward, but overall it was a really amazing experience.
Inside the event, I ate food from the trays of moving appetizers, and watched as government officials enjoyed their dinner from our hotdog stands, popcorn machines, and soft-serve ice cream stations. The Marines presented the colors, and the Chargé d’Affaires (filling in for the Ambassador) gave remarks and cut our 235th Anniversary cake. After the speeches, I met the defense attaché to the French Embassy, a Lieutenant-Colonel. I spent some time speaking in French with him and his wife, who invited me over to their house for dinner and to meet their three daughters that just arrived from France, one of whom is 20! Maybe if I’m lucky, I’ll get an invitation to the July 14th Independence Day celebration at the French Embassy!
Tomorrow, the South Sudan becomes the newest country in the world!!
