Kampala until Jun 14th
Trip Start
Apr 04, 2006
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41
80
Trip End
Oct 23, 2006
Kampala,
Uganda
Sunday, May 28, 2006
I am staying at the Backpackers Hostel & have chosen the most basic accommodations at 10,000 USh (approx. $6.28 Cdn/$5.55 USD). Essentially I am in a dorm that sleeps 12 on 6 bunks and there are no sheets, mosquito nets, or pillows. I made the choice for these rooms (even though the upgrade is only 2000 USh more) because I walked with my sleeping bag, mosquito net,& pillow. Damned if lugging the weight is not worth it! ... hee. Because the place is not busy, I'm currently the only one in the dorm. Shared bathrooms and showers are spotlessly clean and the hot water supply does not fail us inspite of the power failures. The interenet access is super fast and cheap at 1000 USh/hour.
01 Other guests of the Backpackers Hostel
I don't expect to post any entries to the log pertaining to Kampala because I'll just be spending every other day wandering around via matatus (mini-bus) and walking. May catch a couple of flicks since Da Vinci Code & X-Men 3 is playing in the local cinema. I may also create a mini food tour here because, according to the city guide, there is quite a diverse amount of international cuisine in the city. So much for people not hearing about Uganda.
All of the entries from here on out are to fill the gaps of missing dates (from Morocco & Ghana). I'm happy to respond to email if you choose to talk with me ... I won't mind hearing from a few of you who have been soooo quiet all of this time.
Enjoy the World Cup with me! Africa is ready ... are you? Remember that only Brazil can reign supreme (although in support of my friends from Ecuador, Costa Rica, & Trinidad ... I'm supporting them too) ... this comment really antagonizes my African compadres! :-)
Cheers!
Friday June 9th - A Beauty Day
So essentially for $45 Cdn (what is that now in USD? $45? ..
02
. heehee), I got a manicure, pedicure, full-arm wax, and all the threading that I needed on the face. Very nice South-Asian owned salon called Aisha's. Located in a neighbourhood called Kisimenti - it's pretty much where you would find most South Asians here in Uganda. Followed my beauty treatments with a fabulous late lunch at Pavement Tandoori. The chicken mekhani was phenomenal with the butter naan. Couldn't resist dessert of kulfi - yum!Monday June 12th - An interesting tidbit
Today was spent with my new friend, Harriet. My mission was to check up on the tailor for a fitting of an outfit that I am having made. He was not quite ready for me so we went to the office of New Vision - a Ugandan newspaper. Harriet is a reporter for this publication. While she worked, I read the newspapers for the previous 3 days and came across a really interesting tidbit in the Sunday Magazine. There was an interview, with Agadi Didi - former minister of Entadikwa and MP for West Mayo - written by Elizabeth Nammazi. A necessary piece of information is to know that this is an older man who has been single for the past 10 years. The tidbit goes like this:
Q: In your opinion, what's God's greatest gift to mankind?
A: Love
03
. The Bible says, "Love your God and neighbour." As a Catholic, I follow that teaching as much as possible. Love people so that you benefit from them. That's why I've [sic] many friends across tribes.Q: Is that why you have many children from different mothers?
A: That was circumstantial. I've lived in many places. In Africa, they call it "family planting." If you have many children with different mothers, they (the children) are more attached to you because there are no feelings of jealousy between them. It also assists in mental development.
Lara: Don't judge, people ... but think about the lively debate that we can have on cultural, gender, and religious perspectives ... lol
Tuesday June 13th - I'm leaving Uganda on Thursday morning
When I leave Uganda, I am heading to the Seychelle Islands in the Indian Ocean. I feel a great desire for some sun, salt, ocean, and a proper tan. My friend, Jennifer, is meeting me there from Toronto and I am looking forward to seeing her and being a girl for a while - yes, spa treatments, girly clothes, high heels, and makeup are in order - YAY
04
! If you want to check the environment, visit http://www.aspureasitgets.com .Jenn will be with me until June 30th & I will leave there on Jul 9th - arriving in Nairobi, Kenya in time for the World Cup Final. Of course, if you feel the need for a vacation, feel free to join me. My itinerary will be something like this:
Jun 15-21: Mahe Island
Jun 22-25: Praslin Island
Jun 26-29: La Digne Island
Jun 30-Jul 1: Mahe Island
Jul 2-8: Not sure which island ... maybe floating on an air mattress ... lol
Jul 9: Leave for Nairobi.
Communication with you, via the travel journal, may be limited. I understand that prices are quite high in the Seychelles so I don't expect that internet fees will be any different.
As well, at this point, my plans for Kenya are a bit up-in-the-air
05
. The high level plan is to join a group to tour around the country for 12 days and then join my 5-week camping tour on July 23 which takes me through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Botswana. There is not much on that itinerary that suggests to me that we will be in too many cities/towns. I will keep in touch as much as I can, but, for those of you who look forward to a daily journal entry, please find another "fix" =) I will be keeping in closer contact with my parents so you can check with them if you need to know about me.
btw ... I was able to catch DaVinci Code and X-Men 3 on the big screen here in Kampala. First movie was not completely surprising as I had read the book - enjoyed that more, but it is to be expected. Loved X-Men 3; Jean Gray/Phoenix was fierce ... loved the strength and force of her character.
Wednesday June 14th - Last day in Kampala
Had that funny feeling of wistfulness at the thought of leaving. I believe that I read somewhere that Uganda gets under your skin. I guess it does ... as I was leaving the city on a matatu for the last time, I was struck with the thought - even though I have been complaining daily about the dust, the vehicle congestion, and the masses of people, I will miss this place. I even said goodbye to the man in the taxi park who spends the whole day calling out the matatu route for Natete. He gets the passengers to fill the vehicle. I also spent the afternoon saying goodbye to my new Ugandan friends. Yep, Uganda got under my skin.
