*UGANDA*

I have made it! My final and most anticipated destination. The kids were not aware that I was coming which made the screams and hugs that much better. There are a few that I only remember from our visit to the slums and pictures. They are now clean, healthy, smiling, and loving school. The house is crazy. 16 children running, laughing, screaming, playing all day. There is never volume control. This is their home. No adults telling them to quiet down. I'm usually yelling with them. Activities vary day to day. They are so easily entertained and appreciate everything making my desire to give them more and do more with them that much stronger.

We visited the slums of Masese where they came from and where most have family and friends. Some enjoy it more than others. Most are happy to see their past and happy to leave it in the past. Some dont understand that we will leave and fear that they are returning to stay. The level of poverty is like nothing you would ever see in the states or most of the western world. Sure people are homeless, hungry, and sick all over the world. Its seeing the defeated, desperate look in small children's eyes that gets to me. They are suffering. They may not have food or a bath for days. A good education is a luxury that most will never see. People approach me from every direction. I have white skin. They have a problem and need money. Its hard to say no but its impossible to help them all. I just look back at the Peace for Paul kids and know that some good has been done. 16 kids, a video camera, digital camera, meeting family and friends of the children, so many requests for money, people grabbing, pulling, begging, and the dirty children that quietly grab my hand and walk with me. It was a lot, I couldn't take much more and thankfully the kids felt the same way. Possibly the most emotionally trying day I will have here at least from my experience last year. A life changing experience to say the least.

I am still adjusting to life in Uganda. Crowded packed vans, meant to hold 12 that can miraculously hold 20 or more. Each ride is a stop, go, people in and out anywhere along the road. Terrible roads. Passing dangerously. Conductors and drivers yelling out to prospective riders on the road. Electricity- a novelty. Don't expect it before noon but pray that it comes by night fall. We ate dinner in the dark two days ago. One small light for preparing food, eating, using the toilet, everyone getting to bed. I think I was the only one a little stressed about the situation. They just started singing songs in a big circle and made it an early night. "Its (electricity) finished today. Maybe tomorrow auntie." Running water is also quite a luxury that I didn't take advantage of two days ago. Yep, no shower, I cant even wash my dark dirty feet. I wore socks to bed so I wouldn't get my sheets dirty. No complaints, just adjustments. The minor reactions that come from the kids makes any stress disappear.

Got into my first argument with a Ugandan taxi driver. After a trip to a football field for the day, we took two separate taxis home. We were waiting on the road for the others to arrive. As they get out the boys are pleading with the man. He was not giving them all their balance owed. I stepped in and argued. He attempted to close the door on me 3 times but I didn't back down and eventually got the remaining money- 100 shillings or about 5 cents USD. Yep, all of that for 5 cents. Its principle dammit. Don't rip me off because I'm white and don't take money from kids.

Speaking of the kids, I have been gone for too long. They will worry about me and wait for my return to eat lunch. And I miss them. Things are just too quiet. And I haven't gotten a hug in a few hours now:)

Egyptians, camels, and pyramids!

Madrid, didnt stay long. Arrive on the night train from Lisbon Sunday morning and off to the airport Monday by noon. I did squeeze in a city walking tour(not bad) and a siesta(when in rome...!). Repack my bags, print off documents, make the last phone calls until im back in the states, and take my first malaria pill. Ahh Africa here I come!
I fly to Luxor, then Cairo, Egypt. Lots of covered bodies, heads, faces. Muslim territory and even more extreme because Ramadan, the ceremonial month of fasting, begins in a day. Well I attempt to sleep since arriving at midnight. I am way to awake for that to happen and I think after fighting for a few hours I may have got an hour in. 7 am, 86 egyptian pounds, and I have a visa in hand. I find a tourist company, yes the people I mocked in almost every city are now getting my money. Im not about to attempt to navigate this place on my own and for a small price I get a guide, transport, museum tour, and of course the pyramids. Well my lack of sleep catches up to me at the museum and the guide is worried about me. I assure him I am nearly a pro at this after my months of travels but he insists I nap in the car which honestly saves my life. An hour later I am refreshed and on my way to a camel! I had no money for a camel ride, extra of course, but the guide said I couldnt miss out on the experience and paid for me. The egyptians were very friendly people. Our guide through the pyramids said he would pay 1 million egyptian pounds and 10 camels to marry me. I must say I was a little honored. No one has ever measured my worth as a life partner in camels:) The tour guide was right. Riding a camel through the desert and pyramids was such an amazing experience. Wow! Back to the airport where I am surrounded by white cloaked people. Ramadan is upon us. In one hallway, I estimate 40 robed muslims and 7 prayer rugs. I am getting the craziest stares and jaw drops for wearing a tank top and (gasp) no head scarf. Somewhat agitating but I guess I know how they feel when they get looks in America for being the outcast. And I must pity the women who will live their lives covered, submissive to a man, and definitely never have the experiences I have even in the last few months. I give up and put on my sweatshirt, and yes sweat. My flight is filled with mzungus(white people). I count 7 Africans and 30-40 whites. This will be the last time I am surrounded by this many white people for a while and I am looking forward to it:)

Portugal=Perfection!

Well Im back in the rhythm of backpacking but still dragging my feet. Shitty flight from Barcelona to Lisbon after a 3 hour delay and I dont get into town until after midnight. Of course city transport has stopped. Yes I would love to pay for a taxi into town. 20 euro, no problem(only a 2 day food budget). Well I turn around to see my angels. 3 Aussie girls with backpacks also heading into town. Ahh wonderful. My hostel is right in the middle of town and has a fun vibe. Tacky decorations, every color imaginable, fur on the walls and even a giant cat poster. This is going to be a good place! The next morning I meet Jana(pronounced yana) from Munich who is also solo traveling. We go to a huge monestary, climb a waterfront tower(which we have decided we will buy and throw the best tower parties ever!-completely logical, just need to clear it with UNESCO). We cook an amazing dinner and have a few bottles of wine for 6 euro total. It is so thrilling saving money. We find a girl sitting solo and chat her up. Lou from Paris is also traveling solo. Finish the wine and head out to see the town. The small streets are packed with bars and even more packed with people partying on the streets. This would never happen in the states and I love it! The next day Lou and I wander the streets and find an amazing(and free!) art museum with an Andy Warhol exhibit. The city is so pretty. People are relaxed and polite. Touristy but not unbearable. The vibe is hard to describe, but I really loved it and cant wait to see more of Portugal. Ironic because this was the country that I almost didnt make it to. I want to see it all now. Spain was nice but Portugal wins for sure. There is a replica Golden Gate Bridge, seriously looks just like it. The same company built them both but I have yet to find out which was first. Also the same Cristo statue that is in Rio De Janiero, Brazil. Mmm so worldly! Back to the hostel where us three girls set a record low priced amazing dinner and wine drinking at 2euro each. Yea, not bad! No craziness as Jana and I have a day trip planned to Sintra, a city an hour train ride away. Sintra, so f-in touristy for a small little place, but I can see why. Trees everywhere. Located in a big valley. After a few hill climbs and declines(just getting our exercise) we find the famous park. It was originally an estate of some rich Brazilians. Now it is endless walking of trees, flowers, statues, and caves. The caves were so cool. I have never been in anything like that. We were crouched with a small phone light getting dripped on from above. Through one trail we ended up at the bottom of a dried up well. Nature's Disneyland. Awesome! Back to Lisbon for another cheap meal. Veggie curry, rice, and 3 bottles of wine for 2.50 euro each. We are getting better at this(and drunker!). There were free outdoor performances that we checked out. Last night, Fado- a type of portuguese song. Tonight- 4 musicians in 4 different elevated and lit up enclosed bubbles playing music along with a fireworks and light show. Hard to describe but like nothing i have ever seen. We happen to be on the waterfront so we spend some more time there before going back to the crazy party streets. I loved these girls. We were all from different countries. All solo travelers. We never ran out of things to say. Sharing stories, music, language differences. It was also great having someone ask where we were from and going down the line- France, Germany, US. Love it! We hugged of course and were all headed in separate directions the next day. I still had the day to kill before my flight to Madrid. Dominik from Austria and I headed in search of the huge flea market. It was quite a search but the marked was well worth it. After that we headed to the Oceanarium and one of the main sites of the 1998 Expo. Absolutely amazing. This solidified Lisbon as one of my top three European cities- Amsterdam, Budapest, and Lisbon...I love you and will be back:)

Barcelona- the city of pickpockets and Gaudi!

Well my final hoo rah from Budapest was a little excessive and I arrive to Barcelona early in the morning nearly a zombie. Im sick of sightseeing, sick of drinking, and dont have the energy to meet new people. Well I end up seeing many amazing sights, met a big group of people from allover the world and saw the nightlife. I think it can sometimes be more work to avoid these things than to just let it happen and enjoy it. And I really enjoyed myself. Im weary and a little bored with Europe, but I have a few great places to see and I must keep going. Barcelona is known for its beaches, art and architecture, and of course pickpockets. From all the stories I have heard, I figured it was pretty much a requirement that you get robbed of all your possessions. I walked the streets with a death grip on my purse constantly watching everyone around me and glaring at the suspicious. Maybe a little excessive but it did keep my possessions MINE. No, I did not get robbed and I do feel lucky. My favorite part of the city, Gaudi. Amazing architect. His works are allover the city, most famous being the Sagrada Familia, a cathedral still under construction. My favorite, Park Guell. No idea how to explain it but look up some pictures if you get a chance and someday I will have some posted.

PS Budapest, I definitely love you!!

Well I have loved traveling solo thus far. I meet so many more people, experience little to no stress only worrying about myself, and there is plenty of room for plans to change. And so they did. Originally I had planned to work for a woman on an organic farm in southern France. I visited Budapest, fell in love, traveled some more, and decided to take up the offer from Tim, the hostel owner of Tiger Tims place, to work for a while. Unpacking my bags for a bit and having a homebase is so appealing after the contstant movement. So I do it and I love it. First, a hostel, foreign concept to many Americans. Basically a budget place to stay for travelers. You share a dorm room with others. Bunk beds, communal areas to meet other travelers. Basically genius and very popular in Europe and many other places around the world. Even if I had money to pay for a hotel room, I would choose a hostel anytime. I have met so many people. So many travelers, sharing stories, advice, discovering the city with near strangers and of course checking out the nightlife. So working in the hostel- I basically cleaned, made beds and checked new people in and helped them get around the city. Oh and the pub crawls. Since the hostel was located in a residential area, we took all the willing travelers out to bars around the city. Fun, definitely. Possibility to get excessive, obviously. I dont believe my body could have handled more than three weeks of chaos and binge drinking. Besides Tim, I worked with two others, Dane and Isabella, both from Australia. Partners in crime and sanity keepers. We worked together, ate together, drank together, and met so many people. I miss them already and cant wait to visit the land down under. I would compare living and working in a hostel to college life in the dorms, minus class. Just meeting new people and drinking too much. Fantastic. So many new friends, so many stories. Amazing city that I will return to soon and would reccomend to anyone. Eastern Europe has such a different and good vibe and much cheaper as well. Loved it, but must move on to get closer to my departure to Uganda!!