Davis has advised we'd better depart early for Jinja to avoid the worst of the Kampala traffic, so the alarm is set for 5:30 and we stumble to the BV parking lot. Uganda seems to have no Tim Horton's or Starbucks, so I have to suffer the journey to Kampala without a caffeine fix. Fortunately, the new multi-lane bypass makes the kilometers fly by, and the convenience store attached to the gas station where Davis refuels does offer some semblance of North American coffee.
We pick up Jackie who directs us to her very nice home, where we connect with Hasifa, Jonathan & Abe. We have the pleasure of meeting Jackie's younger brother, then pick up Jonathan and depart for Jinja. We've promised some of the kids we would try to stop enroute at their school, Homelands, which is located in Lugazi. We had mentioned we were kind of hungry, so Davis pulls in to a restaurant stop which is VERY north American looking, offering wood-fired pizza and other goodies. We are impressed, but actually hankering for Rolex's (low maintenance folks that we are), so we get away with a pee stop and a couple of sodas.
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| This rest stop would not be out of place in Canada or the USA |
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| give me a rolex any day |
Lugazi Homelands school is Jackie's alma mater, and we are very impressed by the physical attributes and the professionalism of the teachers and administrators whom we encounter. Brenda appears just inside the gates, and we wish her happy birthday. We're also glad to connect with Hassan and Sarah who accompany us on our tour of the facility. There is no swimming pool, but overall we're very impressed with the school itself. It certainly is located in a quiet, pastoral setting amid tea & sugar plantations in this part of the country.
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| Brenda shows off her leadership top |
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| Hassan shows me around one of the classrooms |
Sarah says she needs a black sweater or sweatshirt for morning classes, as she rises at 3:30 am some days to complete chores (scrubbing the dorm floors, tidying up) then starting classes by 5 am. We had sent a black hoodie, but they are not allowed to wear tops with a hood, we learn.
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| Hassan, Sue, Brenda & Sarah |
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| Alan, Jackie, Hassan, Sue, Brenda, Sarah & Jonathan in front |
In Jinja we visit Jackie's in-laws and drop off Jonathan who attends day school there. Jackie's partner died young of sickle cell disease, and relations with her in-laws have been strained at times, but they share a mutual desire to see the best for Jonathan.
Sue and I have booked a room at "The Source of the Smile" hotel in Jinja, which proves to be very comfortable. Unfortunately, they do not offer accommodation for guides/drivers (which a lot of resorts do). We have booked a last minute sunset cruise on the Nile, but first we check out accommodation for Davis in central Jinja, which proves not to be satisfactory. He does, however get a couple of leads on alternative arrangements.
We find the base camp for the cruise with a bit of difficulty and are unsuccessful in negotiating a discounted rate because we are the only 4 passengers on the double deck pontoon boat departing that evening! The cruise itself is very peaceful and scenic, and the food & beverages included are quite satisfactory. We feel quite spoiled.
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| think you'd get me up on that bungi platform... not a chance! |
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| enjoying a Nile on the Nile (served with a smile) |
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| the fishermen keep busy |
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| some of the American kids awaiting us have been in Uganda half their lives |
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| Davis is counting the lifejackets as we march to our vessel |
Afterwards, we return to Jinja, and accompany Davis while he spends about 90 minutes securing accommodation for tonight and tomorrow. He feels badly about our wait, and we feel badly for his trouble.
Next, it's off to Jinja's current hot spot nightclub (according to Jackie) which is practically abandoned on a Monday night. Our food and drink orders take forever to arrive, and we remind ourselves, TIA (this is Africa, as per our friends, Wayne & Marina).
We arrive back to our beds quite exhausted.
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