Corky's Visit - Feb. 21, 2009

Am up at RASD and the computer is working VERY well so thought I'd do a short update on "the visit"....Corky is napping (11 a.m.). He's having a problem w. the heat - it is hot by 10 a.m. and the food. The Sisters keep inviting us to eat w. them (their natural hospitality) so he's getting a good taste of local food but it's causing some minor problems (my cooking would probably be worse!).

We spent Saturday in Kampala touring the Mall and the area around the hotel....he was pretty jet lagged - it's a tough trip to do at one time! Sunday we went out early and went down to the center of town and saw the taxi park, etc. Had a great afternoon at the pool at one of the better hotels (tho' I actually sunburned my legs!!).

Sunday nite we went to the Red Chilli Hideaway and had a nice burger and went to sleep in the dormitory with all the backpackers - actually pretty quiet! We left early Monday a.m. in a van with a couple from Norway (their daughter works in the Norwegian embassy in Uganda), a father and son from Australia who travel a LOT, and a couple from Washington State (she's nurse and he's a PT - her brother is here as a medical missionary - he's a P.A.)....good group!!! The drive took about 7 hours and got hotter and drier the farther north (toward the Sahara) we went.
We went right to the top of the falls on Monday afternoon - it's amazing. The falls gorge narrows to 7m at one point and the water busts out! After that we went to the "Red Chilli Rest Camp" (it's not actually a hotel) and we joined the American couple in a 4 man tent!! (this was the rustic trip).

There were a lot of people there and a real mix - lots of fun conversations - mainly about others past travels (people travel a LOT). and about Africa and what it would take to "fix" their problems - lots of suggestions to improve water quality and sanitation. Many thought we (Americans and Europeans) should just stay out for now and let them try to solve their own problems....there is so much corruption in the give away programs now! It would be awful, but I don't know if we're helping all that much sometimes!

Tuesday a.m. we went out early for a safari (in our pop top van)....I was amazed at the number and variety of animals - there were about 30 giraffe in a group, lots of elephants, big herds of Cape Buffalo and endless hoofed animals (Hardebeast, waterbuck, Ugandan kob, etc.) and warthogs. Didn't see any lions but I'm sure they were in the shade somewhere! The park was decimated during the Amin (1960-80) years and has just started to re-group since 1990 but is doing great. Lots and lots of little babies and juveniles!

Corky will bring home my picture card and I'm hoping Gail can post pictures - there are some from Jan. 6 and thereon but it will include some of the park.

Tuesday afternoon we went on a boat trip on the Nile from the landing to the falls....there were SO many hippos - hundreds!!! Also, at one spot by the falls there were about 70 (?) Nile crocodiles that we scared into the water. Also, a big herd of elephants playing in the water! Lots of birds - amazing colors! There were kingfishers, ibis, storks, beautiful little beecatchers, fish eagle...more than I could name. I was more than satisfied w. the park!!! Coming back from the falls we saw a dead hippo (the males fight to the death) being eaten by crocodiles - really a feeding frenzy and lots more swimming to the site!

Food at the lodge was good - it was all in all a very good excursion. On the way back Weds. we stopped at a Rhino Sanctuary, but it was hot and the Rhinos were just sitting looking at us (sort of anti-climactic after the Park and all the action there).

We got back to Kampala at 6:00 and rushed to the main road to catch a matatu to Mukono and got the last matatu to Nkokonjeru there (7 p.m.).....so we got to spend Weds. nite at my apt.! Thursday, we checked out Providence Home - and Corky was checked out by the residents/staff! Friday was a busy day w. my usual problem w. teachers not showing and then we walked around town distributing flyers for the U.K. Eye Clinic at PH (March 2-6) - long walk up hill and down and may have been a bit much for Corky! In the evening we went out to see where the CBR volunteer Moses lives and chat w. him.

Should be a pretty slow weekend......which is O.K. We took a nice walk this a.m. before it got hot.

One of the pictures I'm sending is of the advanced sewers with some unforms and shirts they made. At Christmas time Maria gave them some bright patterned material to make Christmas stockings - the kids were horrified at using that good material to make something no one would ever wear! We had some left over and they used it to make some cute African style shirts for the little boys that they can use for Sunday uniforms. We want to get more of the bright prints and do some for all....so the kids are now satisfied that at least we used half of the material for something practical!!!! They are so funny!

Hope you are all well. I'm sure Corky will have lots of stories to tell.....I'd better get back and see if he's up and O.K. We are having lunch w. the sisters (they just keep insisting and it's impossible to disobey a Sister), but may pass on supper - they eat at 9 p.m. and we're all ready for bed!

Thursday next week the people from Katelemwa are supposed to come out and do an orthopedic clinic and they want to stay till Friday to do some village visits. The UK optical group arrives Sunday the 1st and will be checking eyes all week....they want to see 100 people every day!!! The volunteers have been working hard to get the word out! So it will be a busy time with school and the usual crises!!!! Pig shed slowed because the builder was sick (malaria), but it rising again. So life goes on! Thanks again and again for your generosity, good wishes and prayers.