A Weekend Away

Last weekend I ventured south for a change of scenery. I made contact with a family with whom I have distant contact and arranged to visit them.

This trip required me to travel on the infamous Gaga Bus (my fist journey with them!). They provide multiple trips daily from Arua to the capital, stopping at towns on route as requested. Travel in this bus is well know for it's high speed. Sure enough once I was seated, we set off at high speed zooming up and down hills and swinging round bends. (when a seat belt was looked for - none could be found!)

As I was getting comfortable (if you can on narrow seats and plastic covers at high speed), the in house entertainment began! Music DVDs to start with. East African music artists. These were played at loud volume, and had cheesy dancing and back drops .... I was informed by my neighbour that some of these artist were famous gospel singers - I showed my ignorance by never having heard of any of them! I thought to my self - "if this is the in house entertainment -we'll be OK (bearing in mind I'd got 5 1/2hrs of it)!" Some time into the journey.... Entertainment changed.... to a Nigerian Film - if you have never seen one - in my opinion count yourself lucky! But maybe you should see one just to share my experience! (People love these films here - I think it's a cultural thing, to which they can relate. Usually there is a strong Christian overtone through out, and the storyline aways contains someone who is evil/ uses witchcraft, causes mischief and by the end wrongs are put right...). Any way 5 1/2hrs later I disembarked in Luwero in one piece and was picked up by the Brown family.

The Browns live and work at New Hope Children's Home. A lovely set up 1/2hr out of Luwero with green gardens (ours are brown currently!) and with several families based there. New Hope provides a home for orphans in a family set up and provides education for them.

So I spent a relaxing weekend in their home with their three children. I was taken for walks, to the market in the near by town - Kiwoko. Where while drinking a soda I had my toe nails painted! (It's a common trade - women here are very proud of their feet and like having their toes painted with fancy designs. I asked for a pattern on mine - and got a french manicure, Kathryn was sitting next to me and he just copied what was on her toes!)

On the Sunday afternoon, we walked to a near by village to visit the home of one of the girls who attends Kathryn's Sunday school. An hour long walk in the hot sun... We reached the home - She is an orphan being cared for by the grandparents. In fact altogether they are caring for 6 orphan grandchildren. The grandparents had 9 children. Lost 2 sons in the war (rebel war here in Uganda) and other losses related to HIV/AIDS. So they are bringing the grandchildren as best they can. They were delighted by our visit.

Monday brought departure day - after seeing some home schooling, eating lunch I was dropped off in Luwero to catch the Gaga bus for my trip up north.... Back to work again!