Monday, September 7, 2009

Going home tomorrow

I am tired of writing, and so have done none over the past week. I spent last night and will spend tonight in Kampala. Here at the hotel the security is fierce. All cars are checked a block before entering the compound. When entering the compound on foot, guards check purses and backpacks and scan you just as is done at the airport. No photos are allowed of the outside area of the hotel. One must pass through magnatrometers like airports have before entering the front door. The Sheraton Kampala is surrounded by the Sheraton Kampala Gardens which is at least a block on each side. (Very beautiful). There is a sign that says the gardens are closed today through the 14th. Soldiers are at all of the doors to make certain you dont wander into the gardens. I must assume there are some mighty important people staying here. Besides me:)

Went to speak to a group of HIV/AIDS counselors this afternoon and had to take a boda back through Kampala rush hour traffic. Bodas are faster than cars and trucks because they ride BETWEEN them. Several times my legs actually brushed against cars and trucks. When one must stop, the bodas all crowd in front of the 4 wheeled type vehicles, putting themselves first to turn. When we started up again, there were always 40 to 60 motorcycles turning at once at high speed. I started off being very frightened. Half way through it became great fun. Sort of like a manic motorcycle rally in a third world country. Perhaps the exhaust fumes and the heat warped my brain.

Since I have high speed, below you will find a few photos. Even these took a couple of hours to load, but hey--I am sitting in air conditioning on a real bed, stomach full of real food and a coke WITH ICE--so the wait has been pleasant.

more pics

Visiting One of our kids at Bushenyi. HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS FACE!
Momma Africa and her mother
Part of the Mukono Market (lower end)





Isaac and I chatting Enjoying a Visit



These are some of the childeren in our Bushenyi orphanage. There are two "dormitories", one for boys and one for girls. In the girls dorm, classes are held during the day for the younger children, P1 through P3. The boys dorm becomes classroom for P4 through P6. We raise funds to send the older children to secondary school during the day.

Kampala

Downtown Kampala

Felix

I think this boy's name is Felix. He was one of my favorites at the orphanage

Friday, September 4, 2009

gearing up to leave and head to Kampala

Getting ready to head to Kampala on Sunday and then home on Tuesday. The air is heavy with memories...