Uhuru Day

October 9, 2009

Uhuru Day (Independence) had myself, Alli and Jessie off to Kampala on the Post Bus at 8 am. We got all settled in and headed south. Alli and I had some sweet conversations on the six hour bus ride about spiritual outpourings and speaking in tongues. It was really nice for me to be able to talk with her about it all, not only as a discussion, but also as a mutual edification. As we spoke and rode along, we noticed an extraordinary amount of meat hanging alongside the road in various kiosks. As today is Uhuru day many people would be buying extra meat for their various celebrations. At one stop, in fact, we got to witness a couple of men literally hacking away at quarters of beef with machetes. Pretty intriguing, at least to me. They are skilled in chopping it up, that is for sure!

The bus ride wasn’t too bad, and I even squeaked in a few minutes of sleep along the way. I definitely was glad to get off when we did though. Our first stop in Kampala was Good African Coffee for brunch, but we got off the bus some ways away. So in the African style, there were bodas waiting who eagerly agreed to carrying us to our destination. I was a little nervous to jump bodas in Kampala (its kind of crazy) but Alli and Jessie knew that and graciously helped me to feel more safe. It turned out to be a fine ride and we got to the restaurant with ease. Its a really great restaurant/coffee shop and I was able to satisfy one of my cravings for a tuna fish sandwich. With a little mayo added, I could have been tricked into thinking I was in the US.

As we left GAC we were going to take bodas to the bus station after making a stop at the bank. Then, as we were getting on bodas again, we realized that there was a bank atm where we were. We asked if the bodas could wait for us while we ran to the atm. They agreed. When we came back, however, we only recognized one of the drivers. As is normal, they all wanted a fare, so one lied and said he was one of the original ones. The boda driver who I was going to take was telling him no, but apparently words weren’t working. Before I knew what was happening the driver got off his bike and went and removed the keys from the other driver’s bike. This all happened in slow motion as I realized they may throw blows over this. Luckily it ended with the lying driver conceding but it was intense for a minute. I sometimes wonder at how man times that sort of thing does happen. Not because of people’s anger, but maybe just because of the necessity for resources.

The boda ride was something I just had to not pay attention to. The jam wasn’t horrible today but they still weave in an out of traffic, coming incredibly close to collisions at almost every block. I realized what “getting skinny” meant on a boda when we crammed between two matatus. (Mini vans turned into taxis). Better tuck your knees if you want to keep them!

The boda actually dropped us at the wrong place, but Jessie’s got her to the right place somehow. So Alli and I got off and then walked over to where we needed to be. We sort of got separated and so spent a few minutes trying to figure out where Jessie had been dropped at. There was a woman standing there who kept saying “I know where she is. She’s just up there.” I wasn’t sure if I should listen to her or think she was a little bit off her rocker. She went to try to find Jessie at one point, but came back saying she had moved. Jess finally found us and then the discussion began about which bus to take. The taxi parks in Kampala are like the county fair on steroids and packed into an area about the size of a high school football field. There are tons of people, tons of matatus and tons of rag-tag shops. It can be pretty overwhelming, but like most things in Uganda, if you add a little laughter it becomes very fun.

The lady who had tried to find Jessie ended up leading us through the maze that is the taxi park and helped us find the correct matatu that would carry us to Jinja. I say she helped us, but it was motivated by the thought that she might get some monetary support. I realized that to be the case as she lingered around the taxi we had boarded expectantly watching us adjust our things. We handed her a thank you in the form of some shillings and then settled back for our trip.

It took about three hours to get from Kampala to Jinja and despite being in a matatu, it was a very pleasant ride. The closer we got to the source of the Nile, the greener and more lush the scenery became. It was very glad for it, as it reminded me of the beautiful hills in Rwanda. 

When we finally arrived we were dropped at a taxi park and due to the rain that was falling on us, we decided to get a taxi to take us to the Haven. There ended up being some confusion with the taxi driver, but we eventually arrived and were simply amazed at how beautiful the place was. We kept on just laughing and asking if we were really in that beautiful of a place. It is a gorgeous campus with numerous private bungalows that all have an incredible view of the Nile River. Even from our showere, the window allowed for a stunning view of the river.

We spent some time walking around the campus and made our way down to the river. The Nile forms a breath-taking and calm pool right in front of the Haven’s property, but then turns into a class five rapid, so the effect is a calming pool with the powerful sound of the water in the distance. I think I just stopped and watched at least five times.

After looking around and talking with the staff about the area we returned to our room to get ready for dinner. We had all decided to dress up for our dinner together, so I got to try on my new dress. I had it made by a woman named Florence, in the Gulu market. It turned out very nicely. 

Our dinner was delicious, and three courses long. First was a pumpkin soup with homemade bread, then mashed potatoes, fish and carrots, and finally a marble cake with ice cream. It was very delicious and so fun to share with these two girls who are quickly becoming such great friends to me. 

After dinner we decided that a few rounds of Nerts (a really fun card game) was in order as we drank our post-dinner coffee. We moved inside of the lodge and played as we laughed and joked around. It was such a sweet evening of fellowship and made me really enjoy that place so much more. Though I was missing friends and family, it was such a fun time that I really couldn’t worry or think about it too much. What a blessing!!