5 days left in Uganda!

So I left you all short with a little summaries ending on the 8th. The rest of the day went well we went to the market which was incredible some of the things that were made. I bargained with the locals and made a few transactions. Bargaining was pretty entertaining but it was necessary to remember that 1,000 shillings is equivalent to only about fifty cents. After about 2 hours at the art market we went back to Makerere to meet a few students from the University and share different experiences. They also gave us a tour of their campus. I was with Freddy and Joann along with Lauren and Stephanie W. The students were in the Anthropology department or what they call faculties here. Their main professor Dr. K (we can’t pronounce his last name so I wont even try to spell it) is friends with our professors Dr. Peters and Dr. Uekeje. Everyone is so nice here. I have forgotten to mention Dr. K’s laugh in earlier entries…but it sounds identical to Rafiki’s off of The Lion King. He is such a jolly man! Speaking with the students was a little frustrating because even though we were speaking the same language there was still a major language barrier. They seem to talk very fast to me. After sharing different information about our universities we went on a tour with them around campus. It was a lot bigger than it seemed. We came back and shared a dinner with all thirteen of us! I was not feeling too well at this point, my sinuses were really acting up. I went to bed pretty early also to get ready for our journey to Murchinson Falls the next morning.

On the 9th (Wednesday), we were making a stop at “The Surgery” which is the hospital that most Americans go to and is recommended by many people. Margarita had to get her knee checked out again because of the rafting spill. I decided I felt crappy enough to join in the experience. Sure enough I had a sinus infection and sure enough they tried to give me penicillin. But instead I opted out and got erythomicin. The six hour drive to Murchinson was not a great experience for me. I was on medicine and had a head and body ache. This is not the best thing when driving in Uganda. The roads are extremely bumpy and I felt horrible the entire way up to The Red Chili which is where we were staying. When we got there we saw wart hogs all over the property and I thought they were mean but theses just wanted food from the trash bins. I just was a mess and thought about sleeping but I needed to eat something so I could take another pill so I could get better. I ended up with Vegetable Sitr Fry because I was not too hungry. It was pretty good a little bland but it was pretty much camping food. After eating we got settled in our rooms. Lauren and I slept in a tent and the rest got little huts I was fine with that thought I thought it was a fun little experience. I didn’t take many pictures because it really didn’t cross my mind until the next day. As I was getting ready for bed settling in and folding my sheets down and about to take my Malaria meds I noticed that my sinus meds were missing so I had to go on a wild goose chase to hunt those down luckily in the end I found them took my pills and Lauren, Stephanie H, and Margarita came up from the camp fire they took the lantern that was outside our tent and at the time I didn’t understand why but later Lauren told me it was because hippos roam the camp sites at night or so they were told. I was a little skeptical but went to bed. At about 1:00 am I had to go to the bathroom-keep in mind no lights no close bathrooms, possible hippos, wart hogs, etc. So I had to wake Lauren up and ask what we should do and she walked with me with out any contacts in so she couldn’t see a thing. We made it to the bathroom and back just fine! I was pretty scared though. Not 20 minutes later we hear these noises that sound like crunching almost like a walking on gravel noise. Lauren tries to see if I am awake but I am laying so still because I don’t want to move just in case it is the hippos…then we hear a huff noise. Sure enough was hippos walking outside of our tent all night. It definitely was an interesting experience. And not an hour later we heard people in the kitchen making the to go breakfasts for the safaris. So we didn’t get much sleep thanks to my bladder, the hippos, and breakfast baggers.

When we woke up on the 10th we basically rolled out of bed and into the van before the sun was up and went on the safari. By the time we got to the ferry that took the vans and people over the sun was just coming up. We crossed the Nile River at a much different and dirtier point than we were previously at in Jinja. We crossed the river and met our guide, Dennis, and we were off. We saw all kinds of animals and they were amazing in the wild. We saw Water Buck, Heart of Jackson, Ugandan Cobb, Wart Hogs, hippos, lions, antelope, Giraffes, even a porcupine and those are nocturnal! We also saw many different species of birds. And that was just the land tour. When it came to the water tour which was after lunch we saw a whole family of elephants come down to the water for a drink and cooling. We saw many more hippos, even a few crocs, and more birds. I took some great photos which I hope to upload soon! We finally made it to the falls which were amazing it is crazy to see something like that when it isn’t man made.

Our plans got a little messed up and we decided to drive down to Minsinda which is the halfway point to Kampala which I was happy for. The six hour drive was a little intense. On the way to Minsinda we saw the top of the falls and got completely attacked by Tetzi flies which drove many tribes out of the area-including us! We also were originally planning on making it to Gulu which was very North Uganda however that would have been possibly another 6 hours from Murchinson.

The 11th is today and is a very significant day. The World Cup started yesterday!! I can tell that all of the country is getting excited or so it seems because whenever there is a television playing a commercial about it everyone seems to start humming or singing along with it. We are driving back now and I am pre typing this on a laptop for easy upload and there is the most beautiful rainbow that has followed us the whole way. I am mentioning it because it finally has touched down on both sides no just a partial rainbow it looks almost like something you would see in a children’s book. We are staying at Makerere for the rest of the trip now.

One the drive home I have just been thinking about the experience and how wonderful it has been. I am now grateful for so many simple things that I never thought I might be. I am so glad I do not have to sleep under a mosquito net every night, I am thankful I can drink from a tap, take a warm shower, being able to walk on a sidewalk, have shoes on my feet, and so much more. I have seen many disturbing things this trip which I will not share with you all but just known that there really are so many things to be grateful for. One of the main problems is that Ugandans are thankful for so many things and some people don’t get that. Remember this give a man a fish and he’ll starve. Teach a man to fish and their will always be food on the table. We must teach those who don’t have things. Giving them to them wont help, it will only hurt and unfortunately this is what is happening in a lot of places around the world.

On a lighter note...my sinus infection is much better I should be done taking my meds in 3 days and hopefully it will be gone! Missing everyone back home!

Yesterday (11th) a few of us actually got to go to a near by stadium where the games were being broadcasted on big screens. We missed the opener but went for the second game! We went with one of our taxi drivers Twaha and his wife Sarah. Once we got there I was sure happy they went with us. It was an experience

Today we got to play with the Adapted League again. It was nice to see the team because they just make me so happy! They got their jerseys and they smiles were as big as possible. We also went to the equator and I got my picture in both the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern. We also had a fantastic chicken wrap with carrots, peppers, tomatoes, and guacamole however Lauren and I are pretty sure there was not chicken in ours. The road there however were a little rough-they were doing construction work so as Lauren said "they are building roads" but other than that the two hour drive was not too bad.

We have a full schedule next week! Tomorrow we are playing in a tournament well mini tournament at the International School and then going to another Barbecue at The Dudley's. I am really excited-Harriet prepares amazing food! Monday I think we are trying to do some school visits with Willis who runs the A-League and from there is when it gets a little to crazy to remember.

It is hard for me to remember what I do today none the less what we are planning to do. There is a saying here, TIA (this is Africa), because sometimes 8:00 turns to 9:00 or plans change in ten minutes. I have learned to just go with the flow it is so much easier!

More pictures uploaded! Check them out! I miss everyone!