New Place!!!

Wednesday – June 17

Tuesday morning we had some great experiences in Kampala. First off we visited a craft market. It was hard to think about purchasing gifts on my second day in Uganda. There is a better “gift” selection there than in Gulu. I didn’t purchase much because we were told that there are options in Gulu. I got myself and LeAnne a very fun treat.

Secondly in Kampala, we visited Bavukuka House. It was very beautiful. I say beautiful not in a luxurious way or eye-pleasing way, but in a culturally rich, positive, hopefully kind of way. Bavukuka is a youth empowerment program. Youth off the streets come and really develop their artistic talents and channel them in a positive way. Rapping, drawing, crafting, etc. They are incredibly talented and use their talents to encourage positive action from others and inform others on issues facing them.

I wish I could describe Kampala with words. I’ll give it my best shot. There is also constants movement. There is a steady stream of people walking on the street, mutatus (like van taxis), boda bodas (motorcycle taxis). Only a few personal vehicles. I don’t think there are any road signs. Along with the constant stream of movement there is a constant stream of honking. There is also a layer of dirt everywhere. Then there are smells, sometimes bad, sometimes good. I’m assuming coming from things such as trash, people and food.

Then we set out on a six hour drive from Kampala to Gulu. I was anticipating a very bumpy ride based on what others who have traveled the road said. But, it was not bad at all.

We are staying at Katherine’s Hotel in Gulu. We have the whole hotel for our group. Double occupancy rooms. Lisa and I are sharing a room. There is a hotel across the street where we take our meals – which so far have caused me no intestinal problems. We have pit latrines to use for toilets, which is basically a hole in the floor. One flushes, which is for long calls (poos). The others you flush manually by pouring a cup of water down the hole. Those are for short calls (pee pee). There is also a shower, which is quite exciting. I haven’t used it yet, but I hope to tonight. We also have electricity, which does go out occasionally.

Today, we had our first orientation day and the IC intern house. Jolly Okot (from the Rough Cut documentary) who is the country director for Invisible Children, spoke with us. As well as, Jared White who is program director for Invisible Children and Erica another Invisible Staff member. Then we had a Lwo lesson, which we are trying to learn and implement in interactions with people on the street. I knew boda bodas would be our mode of transportation around Gulu. After watching them in Kampala I was quite nervous over their weaving in and out of traffic. Thank goodness Gulu isn’t nearly as large or busy of a city. When we left for lunch I took my first boda ride. It wasn’t as bad as a though it would be. I was still nervous when we went over a bump or merged into a lane of traffic, but I never felt like I would fall off or crash. Since I’m a female, I sit side-saddle, which some Americans note they when they wear pants or sometimes even skirts they will straddle the seat even though its not the norm. I ate lunch at Acholi Inn which is the most Western place in Gulu. So I hope not to visit to often, but its good to know such a place exists if things rough and hard to handle. Along with that first ride I was traveling with four other guys. When we got over our bodas, my driver and only mine asked for 1500 shillings, whereas all the other drivers had asked for 1000 shillings. One of the other guys who was here last year, came up and said not she isn’t paying that. The driver didn’t really say anything and so we were able to walk away. Lesson learned is that you ask for the price of the ride before you take it, as well as talk with others before you go to learn the typical price for the trip.

This afternoon our orientation speaker was Walter the headmaster from a school in Pabo. He talked to us about Acholi culture, which was good but hard in that I was getting tired. Afterwards we walked into town for a “tour.” We broke into groups to walk around with previous participants to learn where things were such as the gas stations, the market, and the internet cafes.

Now, many of us are back at Katherine’s and we hanging out until dinner at 6:30.