Written by Andrea Reyes, LGH Product Development CoordinatorOctober 28, 2010

It has been one year since I have been in America. Its hard to believe how fast the time has gone. The time I have spent in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Uganda all have had such distinct memories and lessons. I know I wont really understand the ways I have changed until I return back to America. In one month I will be returning back to New York to run a booth in Columbus Circle. How dramatic of me to leave one extreme, living in Uganda, to the next, working a booth in the heart of New York City. My sister and I will be spending 24 days selling our product, talking about what we do here in Uganda, and attempting to process and appreciate both worlds for its benefits and detriments.

I love Uganda because here I am able to do work here that impacts so many people while doing what I love to do, beading, designing, sourcing, and creating products from so many different materials. I dislike Uganda because at any point you must be prepared for the bizarre, confusing, and dysfunctional infrastructure, people, traffic, markets, healthcare, bodas, and the list goes on.

I love New York for the fashion, energy, family, friends, food, and safety in a system that mostly makes sense. I dislike New York for the egos, disconnectedness, selfishness, and lack of time.I’m not sure what the time in New York will bring but come on by and say Jambo. We will be in New York from Dec 1st to Dec 24th at the Columbus Circle Holiday Market.