Blogs from Central Region, Uganda, Africa - page 3

The never ending dilemma, “What is my responsibility?” and "Can anything explain why I have the opportunities I do besides random chance?" I am excited to leave Uganda, to go back to normal toilets, access to clean drinking water from the tap, convenience of firm departure times. But how do I forget the power of the American dollar (average rent $40 - $100; monthly income $250, a semester at college $1300), malaria and typhoid, most don’t have access to indoor plumbing or electricity? The things occupying the mind here are things that never crossed my mind: getting water, how to study without electricity, missing a week of school each month because I don’t have menstral pads. While I am not wealthy in the states, I am actually rich compared to the global population. Why? Because I ... read more

We arrived at the Entebbe airport and the change was drastic. The walls were postered were tourist attractions. It only took 45 minutes for a visa instead of 2 hours. Armed security guards were only by the doors separating those in from those outside. As we taxied to Kampala, our driver explained the majority of the expanded highway from Entebbe to Kampala was now complete (the project started 5 years ago). However, as we neared the city, it was evident much remained the same: women bent over sweeping the highway with stick brooms; workers chopping grass on the wayside with machetes; Bodas and cars making 3rd and 4th lanes of traffic appear out of no where; people living and selling out of shacks, the smog and presence of an elephant on my chest while trying to ... read more

I've always wanted to go white water rafting, but have never done it. Since rafting down the Nile is a top attraction in Uganda, I decided to finally do it. What makes it so convenient is that the rafting companies will pick you up in Kampala at no extra charge, take you to Jinja -- two hours away, then return you to your lodge at the end of the day. You can raft 365 days a year, and even do it while it is raining. Our guide said they'll cut trips short during electrical storms, but that's the only time a condition will affect a trip. One of the things you read about over and over again on the rafting companies in Jinja is their dedication to safety. Safety is as much a priority to them ... read more

Didn't do much today, just crashed. To get from destination to destination, it involved a drive of at least six hours, and most of it not on tarred roads, so the drives were very bumpy. (Everyone refers to it as an "African massage".) Also, a lot of the activities I've done since arriving have required a lot of physical activity. My mind tells me I can do it, but my body continuously reminds me that it's not going to be so easy. Besides sleep, my only other goal was to get laundry done, as finding a place to do it during the rainy season is very difficult. Laundry is done by hand at most lodges, then hung out to dry. If they think it will rain, they won't do it. If your laundry is hanging, and ... read more

Since I hadn't finalized my travel plans before leaving San Francisco, used today to work on them, as well as try to adapt to the change in time zone.... read more