I landed in London yesterday afternoon, what a change from Uganda. Last night I showered, with hot water, and went around the corner for fish & chips and a pint. Wow! My senses were immediately reset. All the veggies I want are available, the electric stays on, there are traffic lights, and the air is free of diesel fuel and charcoal fumes. Don't think I could ever take these things for granted again. London is a very cool place and very romantic. I can't wait to return with Deirdre and do the full immersion. There are pubs everywhere...everywhere, and they are busy from 10:00 A.M. on with very professional looking people. No wonder the British are so laid back. In the evening, happy but respectful revelers spill onto most corners laughing and singing. Most downtown pubs, ... read more

There have been brief but heavy downpours every two days. I awoke in the middle of the night Friday to find the floor in my room and bathroom covered with bugs with wingspans about three inches! Thought they were mesquites so I was franticly stomping on them. They were all over the hallways the next morning. I later learned they were White Ants, a local delicacy. The market was selling them in many different prepared ways Saturday. The hotel staff are all in the late teens and early twenties and they work from 6 A.M. to at least 12 A.M.; no relief shifts. They are so polite and attentive it is sometimes hard to take. If you step into the courtyard and return in thirty-seconds you are greeted with: "welcome back." There is no tipping ... read more

Rebel members of The Lords Resistance Army had visited this Catholic school for girls many times. They had come for cloths, food, and blankets - took what they wanted but never harmed anyone. One cool night, the nuns and girls were soon to learn there was much different about this visit. This time, the rebels wanted more, much more; they wanted the girls...all 140 of them! Over the pleas from the nuns, the crying and struggling girls were taken away. One nun, Sister Rachele, would not give up. Sister followed the rebels, constantly pleading for their return. She recounted the times they were warmly welcomed into the school. Her pleas had no effect, the rebels with their human spoils marched on into the Bush. Sister's pursuit continued and she was able to halt the march ... read more

Didn't have internet anywhere this weekend and there were several power outages; very common here. Friday, we did a lot of running around meeting TKL partners and gathering equipment. The absolute coolest people here are the motorbikers. The preferred form of transportation is walking, bikes, taxi vans, and motorbikes; in that order. There are no traffic lights and very few stop signs. The country is energy efficient as well; no air conditioning anywhere-; estaurants-banks-hotels...anywhere. Meals are cooked on open fires or wood-burning stoves. Saturday was soccer day for the children of Katanga. The families live in make shift homes with no electricity, dirt floors, and no toilet facilities. A open stream of sewage runs through the slum in front of every home and circles the soccer field. The field has stones and other debris and ... read more

"Are you going to Uganda?" she asked with a serious tone while inspecting me. "Yes" I replied. "Are you African?" "No". You look like us." "I feel like one of you." "Good," she replied with a bright and welcoming smile. "Now, you are one of us!" After learning she is a teacher and exchanging other pleasantries she proclaimed; "I want you to have an exciting journey. That is my wish for you, a safe and exciting journey. You will love Uganda and it will love you!" So began my connection with Uganda while boarding at Heathrow. I was picked up by Kato at 7:00 A.M., 7 hours ahead of my local time. Kato drove me to the TKL director's home for breakfast and a warm welcome. After breakfast I crashed for five hours and later enjoyed ... read more