Blogs from Uganda, Africa - page 131

So, after a final night time feast round the blazing campfire with staff and students from both institutions mingling and chatting animatedly, the magical Rukiga spirit ensuring much singing and dancing and only emphasised next morning by copious tears and farewells, we have returned to busy, noisy, dusty Kampala without sighting the pangolin; but we have left some of our party to make further searches for gorillas in the impenetrable forest: Helen, Raj, Natalie (say Na'a'lee), Naomi and Nick (whose birthday was yesterday) are staying a few more days and if they are vigilant may even spy the shy B. rex (is it like hunting the snark?). Nalab and Flo woke the staff up (really!)about 6a.m. and blearily we squeezed things back into our packs and Sama chivvied us aboard. As we made our way ... read more

Just got back from Fort Portal. Spent the holiday there with my friends Curry and Kate who are in the SIT program with me. Curry is living there and working for a conflict resolution/human rights NGO. We went on a couple of long hikes in to the foothills of the mountains, and hung out with some volunteers staying at the hostel with us. Ate some really really good food too! Hope these photos give you an idea of what the landscape is like....... read more

Geofry The 14yr old boy with ‘the leg’…. Two weeks ago, Luke and I picked him up from his village with mai (mother) and Uncle Fred in toe. Uncle Fred was chosen to go to Kumi Hospital as well because of his English - even though this is quite a struggle at the best of times! During the hour drive to Kumi was the most we had ever heard Geofry talk. I think this was partly excitement and also nerves. Unfortunately his surgery was delayed by 1wk, meaning that the family had to stay 3wks in total instead of 2. This was so frustrating, as it was beyond our control, and the distance making it difficult to coordinate. However, the family were patient and so, so grateful for our assistance. So last Tuesday, Geofry had ... read more

It didn’t take long to readjust to travel life. I’ve felt more comfortable during my 12 hour layover in London’s Heathrow Airport then I have since my return from travel last year. I love the airport environment because it is one where no one has to fit in. Everything from culture, currency, fashion and language vary. Where most people would cringe at the layover I sat happy and content giving my mind and body the proper time to transition from the chaos of philly life to the chaos of travel life. Using my backpack for a pillow I leaned back and watched the world go by without an interruption of a text message, phone call or email. It took 2 days for me to arrive to my destination in Jinja, Uganda. But before I begin ... read more

thought i'd share a little story... so this morning as i was walking to the tree nursery with nicholaus (the man whose teaching me all about reforestation) he informed me that we would be cutting the horns off of several goats to keep them jabbing in to one another. i asked, with hesitation, if it would hurt the goats and he said yes, but it was for their own good. now, sawing the horns off goats does not appeal to me because i m a vegetarian and i don't like the idea of hurting animals. so i followed along thinking to myself that i would just stand in the sidelines and observe horrifying process. as we were peering in to the goat's pen i heard nicholaus say "fleas". i aske him to repeat what he said ... read more