It's 2:21 am and I am wide awake. I went outside for a bit, and looked up and saw a big white owl. He is beautiful! The wind is howling outside and I can hear a faint buzzing of a mosquito. Today we head from Entebbe (i've heard it called Entebbe town too and it's kinda cute) to Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. I'm praying to God that He softens and humbles my heart so that I can be an instrument in His hands. If He wants me here right now then I'd better be willing to do His will and work hard. I'm grateful for today and for the weeks I have ahead.
The last thing we did in Entebbe today was go to the botanical gardens and feed peanuts to the monkeys. It was amazing (but I also felt like a total idiot and jerk for feeding monkeys when people around me are starving. A woman actually came up to us and asked for peanuts, and we gave her some. . . And then she ate them. When I asked 2 passing locals if they wanted to feed the monkeys they didn't say anything they just laughed at me. Stupid American. I felt about the size of one of those peanuts. They're right to laugh though, the whole situation is a little absurd, feeding animals when human beings can't even eat. . . I'm having a hard time just enjoying myself these first few days because I see all this poverty around me and my heart feels very heavy with guilt and sadness. . . In America I'd be considered pretty poor, but here I'd be wealthy compared to the average person. It's all about perspective, people! The average Ugandan makes about $50 per month (these are the reported stats of my new Ugandan friend Derrick, he's been talking Ugandan politics with me) which in america would obviously be impossible to survive on. I just can't imagine and it breaks my heart.
Anyways, I'll just talk about the monkeys now. We got to the beautiful green gardens to feed the monkeys and spent about 20 minutes just tracking them down. When we finally found one, we'd found them all because they live in groups. They saw we had peanuts and came running towards us like little puppies. Derrick told us to be careful while feeding them because, while they're pretty tame, they each have unique personalities. And he was so right! Some were very cautious and timid and kept their distance, while others were holding my hand and sticking their face into my palm to eat. Some took one peanut at a time and nervously looked over each shoulder repeatedly while they ate, and others shoved their faces with as many peanuts as they could grab in their palms. It was quite the sight. :) there was one alpha male (and I'll spare you the details of how you can tell who he is, haha) and many young adults and two mothers with babies wrapped around their bellies. I'll tell ya, when I saw the mommy monkeys with their little babes grasping onto them for dear life, I wanted to cry it was so cute. Their eyes resemble human eyes so remarkably, and one actually looked me square in the eyes! It was beautiful (but I also felt like a total "noob" as Ellen would say. . .). I think i'd rather just get to know people than be a tourist. After feeding the monkeys we headed out for Kampala.
I am here in Kampala (well actually in Bukoto, a district just outside Kampala). We hired a private driver and he took us along the main road from Entebbe into Kampala. The main road we took was a 2 lane road that is pretty well kept compared to the other ones we've been on. But let me tell you. . . They drive like maniacs here. And I mean EVERYONE. It's really awesome actually. Because they are maniac drivers I think it actually makes them more aware of each other on the road (but I guess you have to be more aware when another car or boda boda or person is a foot away from your car). Coming into Kampala there was a TON of traffic. There was this one area where all of these cars from different directions were merging into one lane and I honestly don't know how they did it. It's pretty commonplace in the city though! It's seriously awesome and makes me laugh a lot. It is a little crazy to me how much traffic there is during the middle of the day. Children and people are ALWAYS out, always going somewhere or doing something. I have been told jobs are very difficult to come by and government education isn't the best, but it still surprises me how many people are out during the day. Last note about driving, I took my first taxi bus today. I can't remember their Lugandan name but I'll try to remember to ask. It costs 500 shillings for a short ride, or less than 25 cents. There were only 8 people in this taxi, but I've seen some with probably 18 or 20 pilled in on top of each other. Here in Kampala that's how the 2 million people live(or at least what i've seen): piled on top of each other. The homes, the shops, in cars. . . Space is definitely a commodity.
Coming into Kampala for the first time, the landscape gradually turned from the rural part of Entebbe where we were staying into the busy, busy, busy city. I saw where many families live on the side of the road and it would break even the hardest heart. I can't describe it, you really just have to see it to understand. It was kind of horrifying, but that's just how manu people live here. They must be angels straight from Heaven because it would be a very heavy burden to raise children in slum conditions.
We got to the place we are staying for the night and Grace, the receptionist, shyly greeted and welcomed us. It's funny how business is done here, you just hand over the cash and you're basically good to go. No paperwork. It is an entirely cash based society, or at least my experience has showed me that thus far.
Grace and I went out to go to the bank and buy some food. We talked most of the way and got to know each other better, and I quickly came to respect and admire her. She is very soft spoken, but most Africans I have met thus far have been. It's so refreshing and is one of my favorite things so far, actually. I have to listen very intensely when Grace speaks and even then I often have to ask her to repeat herself. I'm so so so grateful for each opportunity I have to meet people here and get to know them and understand just a little more about their lives and culture and background. It's amazing to see how similar all humans are, regardless of background. For example, Grace was studying to be a doctor at one of the universities here. She ended up getting a degree in computer science, though, and would like to get a master's degree now. She's going to soon learn how to drive (it takes a very brave soul to learn to drive in Kampala. . .) She is a beautiful person to the core, truly. We talked about jogging, and she said she sees many people jogging here. She asked about the health benefits of running. She asked me when was the first time I'd ever seen a black person! Ha! We talked a bit about Christianity, and the differences between American schooling, government, roads, transportation. . . I believe she and I would be good friends had we been born even remotely close to one another. I'm grateful for the fleeting moment I had to meet and get to know her. Isn't it interesting the lives and locations we are born into? I ponder that a lot.
A few more things from today. . . I went to the ATM today and the machine retained my card. I panicked for about 15 seconds and then decided to just take things as they come and try not to worry. Im in Uganda for goodness sake, I'm pretty sure anything goes. After over an hour I finally got my card back, but I'm actually very grateful that this experience happened because I got to sit and talk with Grace for a good while! Sometimes crazy things happen for very good reasons. :)
Last few things. . . I ate chapatis today for the first time. We bought it from a little supermarket, although I was tempted to buy it off the street. Maybe when I'm feeling more adventurous. ;) I don't even know what it is, but it's like a thick, greasy tortilla. Sounds gross but it was actually pretty good:) I'm really liking this whole African food thing. Although, on a side note, it surprises me how many EGGS I've eaten here!! I don't know if that's typical, but man, so many eggs!
Ok, last thing. . . It's 2 am and you wouldn't believe how noisy it is outside. Derrick told me that partying and clubbing is huge in Uganda, and I didn't believe him until tonight in Bukoto. But yeah, people definitely like to party.
On a side note, at scheduled prayer times, you can hear Muslim prayers loudly. I really enjoy those times of day, I think around 5 am and 7 pm. Derrick told me about 20% of the population is Muslim, and the rest are typically Christian.
Ok, real last thing, I saw missionaries from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on the streets today! Pretty cool, I think:) I wanted to say "hallo" (as they say in Uganda) but they were on the other side of the street. Hopefully I will have another chance. I'm very, very excited to attend church in Jinja on Sunday. :).
I'm honored to have been mentioned in a post!
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