This time it was my friend Tracy's village called "Alero Mulago" It was similar to other village visits I've taken except I learned new things about how to prepare Acholi food :-) The processes they go through just for a meal is astounding!
They let me do all the things they do. First up was beating the beans with a big, log-like stick so the 
shells would come off each one of them. Hard work! (picture on right)
shells would come off each one of them. Hard work! (picture on right)Then they gather the beans into a bowl-like container and pour them in such a way that the left-over shell casings blow away and only the beans remain in the basin. (picture below). This'll take some practice on my part if I ever want to be able to do it successfully. Tracy's uncle had to help me. LOL
Along with cutting off the head of a chicken (yay for me not freaking out this time!), I had the chance to grind food for my first time on this man-made contraption (picture below). They built it right into the ground (like they do their stoves) and use the rocks seen here to grind g-nut, sim-sim, millet or a combo of the three! I got to kneel down and try it, and I was sweating like crazy and not getting anywhere! I'm tellin ya it takes skill :) 
I had a nice time with the family talking, learning Acholi, and eating. It wasn't yet time for harvesting (they were going to start the week after I was there), but I realized I might enjoy "digging" in the future. Maybe I'll live in the village and become a pro at all these things! Only God knows. It was fun to learn, though. And since you can't be here with me, hopefully this blog has helped you learn a little too:) Lubanga Ometigum ("God bless you" in Acholi)
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