Uganda - January 27, 2013

Bus, with all 8 of the travelers and all 16 of our pieces of luggage, plus backpacks, etc., took off at 9:30 a.m.  We drove to Kampala, stopping at a Nakamat (Ugandan Target) on the way to buy sugar, rice, and cooking oil for the families who will host us during our "Day in the Life" activity later in the week.  After stowing our purchases, we left for Jinja, the town located at the source of the Nile.  (Actually, this is the source of the White Nile which eventually joins with the Blue Nile to become THE Nile that we know from Egypt.)  
 
When we were here two years ago, people talked and were upset about a dam being built which would flood out some beautiful rapids that were a tourist site and provided income for some residents.  The power plant which would utilize the dam would provide no return for the area.  The dam had been built so the site which was the "source" was pushed further north, and the lovely rapids were no more.  Quite sad.

It's good to know that locals get a reduced price for admission and students even more.  I have no problem with a "soak the foreigners" approach for such things.  Especially since the price for the "rest of the world" equates to about $4.00.

Here is the whole group.  Back:  Don, Laurie, Sue, Patty, Shirley.  Front:  Pat, Cammie (looking down, I know not why), Mary.  We're in front of the sign explaining the significance of the site.

Shirley, Patty, Don.  Behind us (past the island visible on the right) is an inlet of Lake Victoria which is the source of the Nile.











After this sightseeing we were ready for lunch so went to a restaurant known to our guide Samuel named the Two Friends.  It was started by two friends, a Ugandan and a woman from Sweden.  It is now owned and operated by the son of the Swedish woman who considers himself a Ugandan.  It was very pleasant.

    

Left Jinja at 3:30.  Well past the midway point of the ride, Sue spotted a large number of baboons playing along the road; her alerting us to this sight woke me up from my doze which enabled me shortly after to see the St. John's clinic in sufficient time to alert my fellow travelers.  After partially settling into the room at the Prime Hotel in Tororo, we went to the conference room for dinner and a briefing on our proposed schedule.  Give Us Wings staff, Anika, Sarah, and Katie, had done a good job of organizing activities, trying to accommodate our individual interests and needs and yet accomplish some needed GUW work.

Was in bed at 10:45 but was kept awake by a noisy party on the patio just outside the building.  Thank goodness for earplugs!