Safe in Bukoba

July 24, 2011

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” Henry Miller

It has been a busy several days but we have all arrived safely in Bukoba.

It was a very long trip by plane and having Smart with us to navigate the Entebbe customs system was very helpful. Our driver, Geofrey, took us to our hotel an we ended up spending the night in Kampala, Uganda. There have been several fun lessons I have learned in the journey from Kampala to Bukoba.

First- Smart knows EVERYONE in Africa- or at least it feels that way. From the airport security and customs workers, hotel concierge to the restaurant server, and especially the officials crossing the border from Uganda to Tanzania, Smart was familiar with all of them. Everyone is excited to have him back in Africa.

Second- Jet lag and Ugandan stairs do not work well. Steps at the hotel in Kampala come in all shapes and sizes. It takes much concentration and focus to walk up or down them without falling.

Third- Riding as a passenger with Geofrey through the streets of Uganda and Tanzania is more of an adrenaline rush then sky diving. Not that I have any personal experience with sky diving but I will admit to closing my eyes and putting my head back on MANY occasions. Whey they harness and suction cup you into the balloon ride at Valleyfair- we had our adventure without any seatbelts. After the initial shock wore off, we all became fascinated with our driver’s ability to navigate the roads with such ease and confidence. Cars, trucks, pedestrians, bikes and motorcycles all share and average road where there are not road signs, stop lights or even markings to show lanes. If your car fits and you have more bravery then the other drivers then you have the right of way.


Mary, Anna, Geofrey and Erika

Because of the close proximity to others on the road, it was a lot of fun to people watch. Africa is amazing!! It is everything you see in pictures and movies yet overwhelming to see it all around you in person. The people have been very welcoming and friendly. Everyone is eager to talk and help us get around.
We stopped at a restaurant on the road for lunch. There was a buffet of potatoes, rice, beans, chicken, vegetables and green bananas (which are cooked, mashed and and though they are very creamy, they weren’t sweet like I had expected) and gravy to put over everything. The food so far on this trip has been wonderful but eating outside under thatch canopies was an awesome experience.

Hope all is well in Minnesota!

Erika

View from hotel room  in Uganda

Market outside hotel

the green bunches are bananas