Uganda . . . it is so green here, even in the middle of a drought. Just seems everywhere one looks, there are green and growing plants. It is really quite remarkable.
Two short flights brought us to Entebbe (via Nairobi); Mustafa (our driver from 3 years ago) wasn't able to meet us, but his younger brother was waiting for us at the airport. The drive from Entebbe through the edge of Kampala is chaotic, crazy, noisy, hot and dusty. Imagine the worst traffic you could conceive of, then subtract traffic lights, lane lines, sidewalks and basic 'rules of the road' and you have Kampala traffic -- with the addition of about a gazillion little motorcycles which are used as taxis. Needless to say, it took a while to get out of town and on the road to Ft. Portal!
We met up with Mustafa who was bringing Ineke, her brother-in-law and another friend back to Ft. Portal from their safari up north, so it was fun to hear about their adventures. We finally all met up at the guest house in Ft. Portal in time for a cold beer and a lovely dinner. Rwenzori View Guest House (ineke's establishment) is such a lovely place to stay.
Over the next few days, we hung out at the guest-house, walked into town, visited with friends, shopped a little and met up with a Rotarian who invited Jaime to their meeting in Ft. Portal. We also visited Gertrude's school in her village; unfortunately, much to our disappointment, none of the women from whom we purchase baskets (through Gertrude) were available for us to meet, and Gertrude had no baskets for us to see. But we had a nice day at the school and the students presented some lovely singing and dancing to welcome us.
We did get a chance to meet with some of the women from the Rwenzori Women's Group (which is really 4 groups together). We saw their weaving, watched as they made the dye from flowers and leaves, and hiked down the hill to the swamp where they pick the papyrus for the baskets. It was great to visit with them, and I loved being able to watch them work. Ineke and I talked about possibly providing some classes on how to make some new colors, as well as the possibility of follow-up classes to build on the home and money management class we sponsored a few years ago.
Jaime attended a rotary meeting in Ft. Portal on Wednesday; I was invited to accompany Ineke and her brother-in-law to visit the home of one of Ineke's staff -- he has been building his home for a couple of years and just these last few months, finally was able to move himself and his family in! It was pretty exciting to visit his home, meet his wife and share in the celebration of having it so close to completion.
Lots of interesting discussions with various Ugandans about politics, presidents, corruption, education, health-care and the kingdoms in the country. Most of the folks I talked with believe that education is the critical issue in their country and that corruption is what is seriously holding them back. The problem, of course, is how to control and eventually eradicate the corruption. There are small, hopeful signs that a new generation of leaders are, and will continue to be, motivated to honesty.
Friday early morning we went on a birding walk through the Botanical Garden; then into the car for the long drive back to Entebbe and the even longer flights to Amsterdam, Seattle and Anchorage. 40 hours later, I was home -- exhausted and jet-lagged. Jaime stayed on a few days to experience Kampala.
Sad to leave Africa, glad to be home, and already thinking about what I want to do on my next trip over!
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