Friday, September 3, 2010

Sorry about the doubt Uganda..... I still love you:)

The kids have returned to school. Not waking up to screaming and yelling before the sun is up. Still not sure I like that since it isnt followed by good morning auntie and hugs. I will be visiting them at school tomorrow after not seeing them for almost a week. Three weeks with them felt like one. One week without them feels like 3. I have been staying at Bujagali Falls about 7 km out of Jinja. Right on the Nile, where they do the rafting. There was a huge freedom and relief when I was back to just me and my pack. The kids are greatly missed but I really never stop worrying about them. Just me. A bit lonely but not for long. Met some local safety kayakers who took me out on the river for a day. Nearly impossible. I must have attempted to roll a hundred times and was never totally successful. Still a great experience that I will be doing again. Since then, I have met many locals. I have my boda driver Steve, my rolex(food) guy Joel, bartenders Abraham and Richard, and Fatia who has a souvenier shop and of course the kayakers Robert and Steve who I meet up with every day. I have met only a few mzungu(white people) backpackers. Kinda over the Where you from? Where you been? Where you going? thing. I had some issues to deal with here that made me really question my love for the country. That has been worked through and after meeting some great local people, I have that urge to be a local too. I am just happy to feel that love for the country again. It is a beautiful place with beautiful people, inside and out. The kids bring me back here but the country gives me a new and life changing experience everytime.
There is a local non-profit that I randomly was told about while traveling in Europe. S.O.U.L. - Supporting Opportunities for Ugandans to Learn. The founder Brooke has set up classrooms outdoors. They have started so many programs, but all with the same goal. Overcome the obstacles that Ugandans face in getting an education and have all of these people volunteer or give back in some way. Amazing concept and really helping Ugandans help themselves and their country. The website is www.souluganda.com I will be going there this afternoon for some much needed playing and talking with kids.
Well off to Kampala tomorrow where I will remain until flying out next week. Oh Kampala, guaranteed to be even more packed and chaotic than last year. Just praying that the boda ride gets along with my 25 kilo pack...

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