Oh my goodness! How does this keep happening to me? I get so behind and thought of trying to catch up and not miss out on any of the adventures that I've had fills me with dread and then the problem just gets bigger and bigger... and now a face a 5 week update! and not just any five weeks... five super-busy weeks. Okay. I will do my best to summarise the key moments, and naturally punctuate with suitable photos.
So the weekend following the last post, I went to Jinja with Alex and Stevie P, for some intensive R & R and then some even more intensive Jet Boating! We stayed at the Nile High Campsite. I can't help it... I like it there so much. It has lots of affordable accommodation and big groups of backpackers coming in on overlanders - giving it a great atmosphere, plus it's right on the banks of the Nile. So we just chilled out there on Friday night and had some beers. Strangely, even though it's only a couple of hours drive from K'la, the beer is MUCH (like 30%) cheaper because the factory is in Jinja.
On Saturday morning, we got up early and watched the rafters leave (SO glad that I wasn't with them, completely sticking to my "never again" policy) and then we booked ourselves onto a jet boat. From what I can tell, and it's not much, it's just a metal speedboat that has a MASSIVE engine (the boys seemed to want to talk about the engine for ages!), and it just tears up and down the Nile, mega fast, up and down the more shallow rapids, and can do 360 degree spins. It was SO BRILLIANT. Like all of the thrill of the rafting, without the fear of sudden death and the pure exhaustion from the paddling.
I was so sure that I wanted to do it again... until I woke up the next morning. So sore. And I don't even bruise easily:
So I was in Kampala for another week after that, and most of it was spent nursing my bruised body and saying goodbye to people. Then I left Kampala the following Friday (with a stonking hangover) for my other favourite place that begins with a "K", Kent!
I was with my family for a week. Thank you so much for having me. The highlight was probably a pretty traumatic evening (and by evening I mean 3 hours) where I took sole responsibility for my nephew Freddie. This is him earlier that evening.
Trust me, he was no where this nice to me 3 hours later. Poor little guy, Auntie Michelle has no idea even which way a nappy goes round.
From Kent, I went to France, where I was hosted by the Lovely Laura. I use the term hosted very loosely, because she's quite nomadic and we actually only slept at her house once! But she took great care of me, showed me all the sights and never made me speak French when I was afraid (unlike her cruel friends!). Marseille is a beautiful city, even in November and surprisingly warm - especially when you're hiking up MOUNTAINS!
And then I had a brief stint in Southampton, largely at the grace of Lady Mansell (thank you, Angel!), and then it was time to head back to Uganda.
I'm so sorry to everyone that I didn't get to see on this return voyage. Please don't take it personally, and I promise to hit you up at Christmas. 22nd December. I will be back.
Back in Kampala. Same city. Same apartment. Same bedroom even. Starts to feel like home more and more.
On this first weekend back, what is the top priority? Get out of the city, of course! We (Alex and I) went to Mabira forest. We went with two other people, who stayed at PLUSH accommodation. Alex and I went for 15,000/- per night. Oh yes, sometimes, you just get what you pay for!!
But, to be honest, the place was really lovely. They set up a massive campfire for us in the evening, and showed wonderful hospitality all weekend. I would stay there again!!
So we spent lots of time relaxing on the Saturday and enjoyed a beautiful 5 course meal. Then on Sunday we took a little hike in the rainforest. I had all these great vision of playful monkeys jumping down on my shoulder - not so much. The most exotic this we saw was a camouflaged slug!
But not to worry. We still trekked for over 2 hours and the humidity was killing me!
So back to K'la on Sunday night for another week at work.
Then something terrible happened. On Wednesday, I sat on my phone with my big matooke (mashed banana) enhanced bottom and broke the screen! badly. I was so disappointed. I really thought that this mobile was the one that I'd been looking for all my life. That we were destined to be together. Fortunately, Marvin "knew someone" and within 18 hours I was standing in a swelteringly hot phone shop in downtown Kampala with the tiny screws for my intricately designed phone being blown across the workman's desk by rotating fan that was being used to circulate the hot air. Super.
But the screen was fixed none-the-less and by Ugandan standards was quite expensive (just under £20) but I really couldn't be happier. It feels like a reconciliation with an old friend.
So with my phone fixed, Thursday rolled on and it was Thanksgiving. In the spirit of Thanksgiving - cultural exchange, togetherness, giving thanks and gluttony, Alex and I decided to cook Thanksgiving dinner for everyone in our office. Surprisingly they all accepted our offer, and I was terrified about running out of food. But everyone seemed thankful and full when they left, so I think we can call it a success!
