Blogs from Central Region, Uganda, Africa - page 47

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

We've finally made it to the Backpackers Hostel, Kampala! Our flight was late taking off, and there was significant turbulence over the Med, but nothing intrepid explorers cannot handle. Entebbe is right on Lake Victoria and it was an amazing sight landing there. Lovely Phil was at the airport (a small affair, soon to be refurbed) to meet us, having waited over an hour, and we piled our bags onto the roof of a cool, red African bus. It took a little over an hour from Entebbe to Kampala; we stopped to change money in a very smart bank where there were men with various sorts of gun, and someone also arranged a block purchase of local SIM cards. The blue skies are full of Marabou Stork and a large, fringe-winged vulture I cannot accurately ... read more

Hi, I want to share with you something really incredible that happened to me last night. Bear with me here. Over the last few months, I have filled page after page in my journal about knowing that there was a big realization coming. It rested heavily within me. I was un-balanced and I felt like there was a hole within me that needed to be filled. I desperately searched to fill that void. I asked myself every possible question and looked deeply for the answers but nothing came. I felt like a giant, apathetic blob. Everything that was happening around me, I could evaluate and know what I would have felt if I could feel anything. I felt nothing. I knew how I should have felt in certain situations and I acted upon how I ... read more

Jebale Ko! Another week has passed and it leaves me resting alone in my house for a quiet night of reflection and seclusion. New emotions, ideas and people have all stopped by for tea in Mukono this week. Since this is Africa and nothing goes to plan, I did not go to a village this week. Instead, I spent the week visiting the local hospitals and the prison, rolling beads, making bracelets and teaching my first editing lesson. It was a week to develop some strong relationships with my Ugandan friends and to get to know my roommates a little better. I was given a clan name. I am Emma "Nakabko," a member of the white monkey clan....ahahha. As the week comes to a close, I am relieved to find myself alone in our compound while ... read more

Hi Everyone, I just met with the director of the Rukararwe Partnership Workshop for Rural Development. I'm going to work with the organization in Bushenyi, Uganda for four weeks and write my practicum paper on the experience. Here is their website so you can see where I'll be: www.rukararwe.kabissa.org My work will focus on their earth architecture program and reforestation efforts. I'll let you know more in the weeks ahead. Oh, and I just changed my flight plans, I'll be back in Colorado May 13th...this will give me a few extra weeks to prepare for Peace Corps and visit family and friends. So let me know if you'll be around then. Love and miss you all!... read more