New places & people

I have always loved the feeling of the first airplane touchdown into a new land. I eagerly anticipate being freed from the stuffy, dry air of the cabin to discover what smells, climate and sites I will find outside. A rich, warm and earthy scent greeted me in Uganda. The sites and sounds have been a mixture of totally new languages, cultural nuances, food, etc. to familiar ones I knew in Kenya - the always-present coo of the laughing dove, diesel fumes in town, red earth, building structures, and more. Familiar or not, I am always discovering new things. Here are some of the sites and people of the first week:

One of the new big shopping malls in the capital. Africa is not all grass huts, savanna, or jungle!


On the way to Mbarara town from the capital, Kampala, we crossed the equator! The five us us are the new arrivals for this project: Bern & Nancy (they have been here twice before), me, Gary and Ray.

Having a little fun with my new young friends Judah & Samuel. (They are the children of my boss Tim and his wife Joanne.)

A typical trading center that we pass through on the way to Mbarara town. Notice the motorcycle. Called a boda boda, it's a common form of public transport.

Entering Mbrarara town, about 5 hours from the capital Kampala. Nowadays you can find most of what you need here without going to Kampala.

We arrive at Canada House, just to the west of Mbarara! This is the main base, and where we stay when not out in the rural project areas.

The gazebo at Canada house, which doubles as a meeting room and classroom. Here we studied Lhukozo and Runyankole, met with the local leader of the area, and heard from a doctor about staying well during our time in Uganda.

During orientation, Andrin prepared wonderful lunches representing major people groups of the area and their typical foods. That day was beef stew, steamed sweet potatoes, dodo (greens) & peas, and cooked shredded cabbage.


Ray and Gary proudly display the first meal the three of us cooked - fresh Tilapia from Lake Victoria, rice and veggies. We bought all the supplies in the market that day, and watched the fish being gutted and filleted in front of us.

By the end of orientation week, we were comfortable in town and could find necessary items, bargain for a reasonable price, and not get hit by boda bodas, matatus or other vehicles (pedestrians have no rights). We have even begun to drive the ACTS vehicles - stick shift pickups on the left side of the road! Yes, not too many dull moments here.

Just as we got settled in Mbarara, we moved... but that will be the next post. Stay tuned!