Arrival.

I arrived in Kampala yesterday after meeting up with my aunt an uncle in Dubai. Dubai airport (that's all I saw) was something of disappointment. Although there where plenty of people wondering around in white robes, all the stores where the usual western brands of Starbucks, Costa and MacDonald's. The airport itself is like a smaller version of Heathrow or Gatwick, but far better organised (not that hard really).

Uganda itself is far more exotic and interesting. There is a strong contrast between the poor and the wealthy here, with poor living in tin roofed shacks, and the new middle class living in brand new villas. The house of Dr. Anne, (my host for the next few weeks) is along the lines of these villas, though less sinister than most. (She hasn't actually put up razor wire or broken glass on the top of the surrounding walls).

We were met by her servants and another gap year student called Emily. The three servants are called Little Anne, Margret and Haiti. There is also a night watchman I have yet to meet. The idea of having servants is something that's going to take some getting used to but, they are all friendly. That's all for now, hopefully for my next post I'll have some photos I can put up.

Leaving Today

Well today's the day. I'm leaving the house at 13:00 to reach Heathrow at 14:30. I then catch a plane to Dubai where I meet my Uncle and Aunt and catch up on a few hours sleep. We then fly to Enttebbe International airport, arriving tomorrow afternoon.

I'm currently have that kind of buzzy, slightly nauseous feeling that means its to late to turn back. I'm also imaging various scenarios for the plane trip, ranging from the attractive intelligent girl sitting next to me (unlikely) to being cramped next to obese 40 year old with sweat patches (hopefully just as unlikely). As yet I still can't imagine what Uganda will be like but I can't wait to have the plane trip behind me.

Gifts

This is just a note to say if anyone wants me to get anything for them while i'm away, feel free to email me. I can't promise i'll get it but I'll try to.

Packing.

It may be four days till I leave, but I started packing today. Largely to see what I still needed to buy. The golden rule for packing is supposed to be, list everything you think you will need and then cut the list by half. However I found that even with everything packed apart from my mosi-net, my suitcase is still only half full. This has left me with a feeling that I'm missing something, but cannot think what it is.

One of the oddities I've been told include is a cycling helmet, The options are between walking 10 km each way everytime I want to go into Kampala, taking the motorbike taxis or cycling. Much as I enjoy walking, 20 k is a bit much in the African heat, especially as it would be every day. On the other hand I'm really not willing to trust my life to the motorbike taxis without a motorcyle helmet and I'm not carrying one of those arround. So that leaves cycling, hopefully I'll be able to by one (or possibly several) cheaply in central Kampala, but it still worries me slightly, still it should improve my fitness no end.

First Post.

Hi, all.
I'm setting up this blog to provide an account of my trips to Uganda and The US, but if I get in the habit I'll put up posts on other subjects as well.