The Plot Thickens

Annet told me on Saturday that the man who wants to marry me came to her the very night she talked to me. I asked if she told him no and she said, "I can't say that, Amanda." When she saw my horror she went on to assure me, "I told him you need to get your life in order so not right now but that there is still hope." Again, I was horrified. We are fairly confrontational people in America so this hedging is not an approach I appreciate. I started to get a little short with Annet and was getting angry with her for dragging this on when she continued to tell me that not only can't she tell him straight out, she also doesn't want to yet because as the aunti she is given all the bribes. He's been bringing her food and money to be the aunti. For a women who hasn't been paid since November this bribing is very appealing and somewhat necessary to her current survival.

So, now, I'm gathering advice on what the culturally appropriate response should be because clearly it's time to take matters into my own hands. Most Ugandans tell me to just pretend for the next year and then leave and never look back. Gotta love the non-confrontational culture! I'm not sold on this appoach so for now, I wait for a good idea.