Kampala & driving in Africa

I flew into Entebbe, Uganda at around 7am on Monday morning. That’s about 10pm Sunday night for you Denver folk & midnight on eastern US time. After successfully maneuvering through the tiny airport - where the customs, immigration and baggage claim are all one room only separated by some rope – and being met by all 3 of my checked bags (yay!) I was met outside of the secure area (which is a very long walk out in the elements) by Jimmy & Phyllis from Medair. I was so very happy to see their smiling faces!

Similar to last year when we arrived in Uganda, I was met by a beautifully soft sunrise and Lake Victoria as we drove into the city of Kampala. I was determined to give this city another chance – it didn’t leave the greatest impression on me last year – and I’m glad I did. We arrived at the Medair base, which is in a nice area of the city. But what I was so shocked to notice from the view at the base & subsequent walks around the area is that Kampala is actually a city built on several rolling hills – it is beautiful! That is a look from afar, however. It is still a developing city: traffic is unlike anything we know in the US, the roads are atrocious with potholes the size of small cars and are barely paved, “very nice areas” of town would be considered the ghetto in America – very different standards of living. Ok, so I don’t LOVE Kampala, but I can handle it.

I’m supposed to take a driving test tomorrow & though I’ve explained I don’t drive manual and therefore shouldn’t be allowed on the road (desperately hoping they’ll forbid me from driving) I still must go & drive an automatic. With the skills I learned from my one manual lesson before I left (thanks Wayne!), I’ll learn to drive manual while in Kaabong, a very less hectic area of the country, perhaps even on the airstrip!

Surprises since I’ve been here…eating homemade sushi which was quite delicious, thanks to Jo here at the Kampala Medair base, eating gelato with Fanny at an Italian market down the street, having my own private room, and getting an extra 2-3kgs of space to pack stuff onto the plane with me on Friday! (Did I mention I can only take 15kgs with me on my first trip up there? That’s about 33 lbs…)

There’s my glance at the last few days. I’m glad to be here & getting to know the Kampala staff, but am very excited to head to Kaabong where my team is waiting to welcome me “home”!

Thanks for your continued prayers and encouragement! I miss you all & send much love.

***Update since I took my driving test: all went well, driving on the British side of the car/road is quite interesting, but easy to get the hang of since you're clearly trying to stay away from the cars coming at you from the other direction! I successfully navigated downtown Kampala & still have the wits about me to tell you - wow. I never would have thought to attempt driving here...I'll let you know how it goes if I ever venture out on my own (probably won't!).