Hi all.
Chris and I have started up the blog again to detail our adventures in the USA. However our plans have not quite worked as planned, and we've barely even started. it all started when we hit the traffic good strart tohe day. then chris being searched 3 times at Gatwick didnt help either. fine, didnt miss our flight... not a problm. The flight was fine, no trouble and a seismologist to chat to.
Then welcome to Dallas. We are welcomed, by a thunderstorm, not an issue we think, but remeber it for earlier. First comes immigration. I have no trouble, but they take one look at chris and haul him off for questioning. For 20 mins. At the same time I discover that because of the thunderstorm the baggage can't be unloaded and we have to wait for it to pass. That took around an hour. Then they tell us that they can't open the cargo doors due to mechanical problems. Another hour passes. Finally the baggage arrives, on the wrong conveyer belt.
Having got our luggage, guess what. Chris gets searched again! this time by customs. This only took10 mins,but by this time we had missed the flight to Miami, leaving me typing his out on ancient public comp. Hoping against hope that we might just get into Miami tonight. Ah well,this bad a start must mean the rest of the trip will go well, right?
Sunday, 1 July 2007
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
Back Home
Hi, everyone.
I'm now back home after a pretty boring flight. It is slightly strange being back, and to be honest I wish I had another month in Uganda. The last weekend has been a flurry of goodbyes, and amazing generous gifts from the Hospice and the friends I made out there. I particulary look forward to showing everyone my brand new clock.
The white water rafting was one of the highlights of the trip, however we nearly didn't go at all. Having originally booked with the cheapest company available, we were informed at 6am that they had canceled the Saturday trip, and where instead going on Sunday. We then tried another company which said no problem, only to phone back half an hour later to cancel. This was at 6:30 am. We finally tried Adrift, the most professional company. They agreed to let us go with them, saying to meet them at the Sheriton at 7:30. This was at 6:45. Suffice to say we made it, and had a fantastic experience, even if my knees are still sunburnt.
I'm now back home after a pretty boring flight. It is slightly strange being back, and to be honest I wish I had another month in Uganda. The last weekend has been a flurry of goodbyes, and amazing generous gifts from the Hospice and the friends I made out there. I particulary look forward to showing everyone my brand new clock.
The white water rafting was one of the highlights of the trip, however we nearly didn't go at all. Having originally booked with the cheapest company available, we were informed at 6am that they had canceled the Saturday trip, and where instead going on Sunday. We then tried another company which said no problem, only to phone back half an hour later to cancel. This was at 6:30 am. We finally tried Adrift, the most professional company. They agreed to let us go with them, saying to meet them at the Sheriton at 7:30. This was at 6:45. Suffice to say we made it, and had a fantastic experience, even if my knees are still sunburnt.
Saturday, 14 April 2007
Sorry for the wait.
Hi all, sorry for not updating for the past couple of weeks, but I'm afraid that's just Kampala for you. (That and the volunteer work is 9-5 on weekdays so I can only update on Saturdays). I suppose I'd better fill you in on whats been happening.
Most days I'm working in the hospice in the education department under a women called Mwazi. The job largely consists of typing up reports and letting everyone else get on with more important stuff, so I won't bore you with the details.
Far more interesting has been the traveling I have been doing. Last Saturday me, Emily(see last blog). Caroline (a nurse) and Dr. Ita (one of the doctors at Hospice) went up to Lake Bunyoni, a volcanic lake on the Rwandan border. This lake is possibly the most beautiful place I have ever been. Surrounded by mountains and with an assortment of islands sporting different habitats, it has to be seen to be believed. Unfortunately being me I left my camera in Kampala, but I should be getting some photos emailed to me by the others.
We stayed on two islands which I'm not even going to attempt to spell and will instead call 1 and 2. Island 1 which we stayed on for two nights was largely owned by farmers, with an American run resort on one end. Whilst we were there we met about 20 people from VSO, nearly all medical, but still really nice people, some of whom turned out to be heading to island 2 with us. This meant that we had a couple of good nights of eating and drinking with various NGO workers, and learning fascinating stories which I had forgotten by the morning.
The weekend bore last we headed out to visit Catherine Nwangi, a nurse at Hospice whom my parents are helping to pay for her relatives' school fees. In particular we are helping her niece Bridget through nursing school. Bridget is doing really well with her course, and the nursing college is surprisingly up to date, so Dad will be pleased to hear that the money is well spent. We also visited Catherine's mother and older sister at their home in a nearby village. The mother is a pretty amazing women of an age between 70 and 90, who nonetheless is running a small subsistence farm with only her eldest daughter, who is probably around 60 and what help the family can send them.
Back in Kampala, my aunt and uncle have left for Australia, but where soon replaced by Dr. Anne's cousin, Micheal, his daughter Margret and her husband Karl and their little boy, also called Daniel. This has meant the house has had 5 Liverpudlians, (Anne and family) and 1 Manchurian (Emily) leaving me the only Southerner. However they where all really lovely but the relatives left this morning, leaving me, Emily and Anne. There is also Mary, the 6 year old daughter of Little Anne, the head house girl. Who, once she overcame her initial shyness has turned into a real nuisance.
As final note please don't panic about the protests in Kampala http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6548107.stm as things have calmed down pretty quickly round here, and never came near Hospice or Dr. Anne's house. However it was weird going into central Kampala this morning and walking through places which I'd seen on the T.V. the night before covered in tear gas, with people running and shouting, but like I say things seem to have calmed down. This might be my last post before I get back to England, as Emily and I are planning to go to Jinja to go white water rafting on the nile next Saturday and I leave on the Monday.
Most days I'm working in the hospice in the education department under a women called Mwazi. The job largely consists of typing up reports and letting everyone else get on with more important stuff, so I won't bore you with the details.
Far more interesting has been the traveling I have been doing. Last Saturday me, Emily(see last blog). Caroline (a nurse) and Dr. Ita (one of the doctors at Hospice) went up to Lake Bunyoni, a volcanic lake on the Rwandan border. This lake is possibly the most beautiful place I have ever been. Surrounded by mountains and with an assortment of islands sporting different habitats, it has to be seen to be believed. Unfortunately being me I left my camera in Kampala, but I should be getting some photos emailed to me by the others.
We stayed on two islands which I'm not even going to attempt to spell and will instead call 1 and 2. Island 1 which we stayed on for two nights was largely owned by farmers, with an American run resort on one end. Whilst we were there we met about 20 people from VSO, nearly all medical, but still really nice people, some of whom turned out to be heading to island 2 with us. This meant that we had a couple of good nights of eating and drinking with various NGO workers, and learning fascinating stories which I had forgotten by the morning.
The weekend bore last we headed out to visit Catherine Nwangi, a nurse at Hospice whom my parents are helping to pay for her relatives' school fees. In particular we are helping her niece Bridget through nursing school. Bridget is doing really well with her course, and the nursing college is surprisingly up to date, so Dad will be pleased to hear that the money is well spent. We also visited Catherine's mother and older sister at their home in a nearby village. The mother is a pretty amazing women of an age between 70 and 90, who nonetheless is running a small subsistence farm with only her eldest daughter, who is probably around 60 and what help the family can send them.
Back in Kampala, my aunt and uncle have left for Australia, but where soon replaced by Dr. Anne's cousin, Micheal, his daughter Margret and her husband Karl and their little boy, also called Daniel. This has meant the house has had 5 Liverpudlians, (Anne and family) and 1 Manchurian (Emily) leaving me the only Southerner. However they where all really lovely but the relatives left this morning, leaving me, Emily and Anne. There is also Mary, the 6 year old daughter of Little Anne, the head house girl. Who, once she overcame her initial shyness has turned into a real nuisance.
As final note please don't panic about the protests in Kampala http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6548107.stm as things have calmed down pretty quickly round here, and never came near Hospice or Dr. Anne's house. However it was weird going into central Kampala this morning and walking through places which I'd seen on the T.V. the night before covered in tear gas, with people running and shouting, but like I say things seem to have calmed down. This might be my last post before I get back to England, as Emily and I are planning to go to Jinja to go white water rafting on the nile next Saturday and I leave on the Monday.
Sunday, 25 March 2007
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.
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.
Friday, 23 March 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, 21 March 2007
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.
Monday, 19 March 2007
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.
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.
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