Rafting the Nile and BBQ ribs

One of the things that was offered to us as a "must do" when in Uganda was to raft the Nile. Jinja is known as the one of the best spots in the world for white water rafting. Even if every travel magazine you read recommends that you do not swim in the Nile on account of possible diseases. With the speed of the water, I hoped that wasn't a real worry.

The worst things I could have done prior to going was to watch some You Tube videos on rafting in Jinja. I've been rafting a few times before and had a ton of fun but watching the videos only encouraged my overactive imagination to run at high speed. I figured with my luck rafting the Nile was going to do me in.

The day starts with meeting at 0900 at the rafting place. Grab our gear, breakfast and ride up to the drop off location. Quick safety lecture, divide into two boats and in the water we go to practice. The boats divided themselves into "crazy" and "mild". I opted for the mild. The crazy boat had six people, all the guys and my boat ended up with four girls. One of the girls in my boat, from London and a resident in medical school we told the guy flipping a few times would be fun. The other two girls, both nurses from Australia didn't want to flip at all. Our guide Josh, laughed at them. Josh is from Uganda. London and I sat in front. Australia was in the back.

The majority of the rapids we went down were class five. The first set no one is allowed to flip because there are two many rocks. The rest of the rapids are as safe as white water rapids can be. The water is pretty deep and minimal rocks. At one point we had to get out of the boats and walk around a set of class six.

In between each set we had time to catch our breath. The water was pretty calm and we were able to get out and swim in certain spots. We ate lunch during one particularly long stretch of calm waters - pineapple and biscuits.

The whole trip took all day and was worth every penny. It was a blast, even in the mild boat. We flipped once. I ended up letting go of the boat and was carried a little ways down the boat. Under water remember the safety lecture - its going to seem like you are under for a long time, you are not its only seconds. Trust the floatation device, it will bring you to the top. It did feel like a long time. The worst was when you come up and the waves are still crashing around you and you feel like you are going to be sucked back in. That was when I drank what seemed like a gallon of Nile river water.

The rescue kayak came by, I grabbed on. Next the rescue boat came along and the guide pulled me up and into the boat. Literally pulled me -he grabs the vest and lifts you into the boat. I thought my shorts were going to fall off it all happened so quickly.

Finished the rafting, light dinner and time to show you the pictures the camera boat takes. The ride home is two hours. My friends picked us up and we headed out to dinner with them. We went to a BBQ rib place called the Black Lantern. Sitting outside there is a great view of the Nile. It was hard to believe its the same river we just rafted. The ribs, best I've ever had. Another "must do" if you are ever in Jinja.
Keep Smiling.

Our days

Four days a week my friends invite some of the children from the orphanage for lunch.  Its a great opportunity to spend time with the kids and get to know them. They arrive around 1pm and lunch is served buffet style. This week between my friends, their own children, us and the kids we total twelve. That's only four adults, which results in lunch being energy filled, loud and unpredictable. Also totally fun.

The conversation is non-stop and ranges in topics to selecting nicknames that rhyme with our names to questions about America. The questions, jokes and random comments come rapid fire in between spoonfuls. About thirty minutes later that table looks like a tornado hit. Rotating chores are assigned; someone sweeps, someone clears the table and someone else puts the leftovers away; probably the easiest job since there were never a lot of leftovers.  Rob reads a story and then its off to play.

In between doing nursing activities, the majority of our days at the orphanage involved playing sports and hanging out with the kids. It was school vacation and the kids were anxious to have stuff to do. We played basketball, volleyball and jumped rope. I have not jumped rope in a long time. The first few attempts I was rusty but it comes back. The kids are sweet and encouraging which helped. I had better luck with basketball. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend time with the kids.

Keep Smiling!

Matooke and chicken on a stick

One of the things that were really special to observe at GSF was how the kids helped one another. The atmosphere is like being part of one large family. The photo above is of one of the boys helping another boy drink his soda. The boy drinking the soda has special needs and his hands are contracted so it’s difficult for him to hold the soda bottle himself. Soda is not a regular part of the children's diet. This was a treat. There was a picnic after church on Sunday as a way to thank the Florida team for their work.  We ate like champs - rice, beans, matooke and beef. 

Matooke is a common dish in Uganda. It’s made from green bananas and is similar in consistency to mashed potatoes. When the bananas are boiled and mashed, it wasn't one of my favorite things to eat. It is however, extremely filling - almost sits in your stomach like a lead weight. Another way to cook the green bananas is to make matooke chips. Slice the bananas into thin round chips and fry them in oil on the stove. For some reason, maybe because I'm American and we tend to love fried food, when cooked this way they were delicious.

Another favorite meal was chicken on a stick. It literally is a piece of chicken, usually a leg and breast roasted on a stick. It tastes amazing. You pull up in your car to a roadside stand; a man comes to the window to barter and for about 1200 Ugandan shillings or 0.50cents dinner is served. You can't talk about food in Uganda and not mention the pineapples or coffee - ALL YUMMY!!  

Rumor has it the avocado was equally yummy but I'm quoting my friends on that, they loved it.  

Hi Mzungu

We hadn't been in Uganda long before we learned that the term "Mzungu" in Swahili means white person. When driving through the villages, little kids will wave and shout "hi mzungu." It's not intended to be offensive, at least none of the mzungu's took it that way. Everyone we met seemed friendly and welcoming. Almost makes you wish that people would wave hi to one another in this country when they drove through their neighborhoods.

Annually the "graduates" of GSF and the current teenagers have a weekend retreat in Jinja. A couple in Jinja turns over their house to about twenty or so teenagers and a team from Florida facilitates the weekend. The teens headed out on Friday afternoon and returned to GSF Sunday morning for church. The retreat consisted of small group discussion, large group praise and worship, skits and free time to play. The purpose of the weekend is to encourage those kids that have graduated from the orphanage and are in college or working. We were able to help participate in one of the small group discussions.

During the discussion time, the teens were pretty candid about the challenges they face. One question a girl asked stuck with me and I can't seem to shake it. She wanted to know how the church views spousal abuse and if it was ok to divorce a man who beats you. She's not currently married but the fear of being abused by your spouse is a very real threat in Uganda. Sadly, it's a common threat in so many parts of the world. It was a good opportunity to discuss God's view of marriage; that its not appropriate to beat your wife under any circumstance and that you shouldn't stay with a man who beats you.

After the discussion time and before dinner we played basketball. Each team was handicapped with a "mzungu." Hahaha.

Arrived at GSF

We made it!! After flying for what seemed like days, we arrived safely in Entebbe Uganda. Got visa's and our luggage without incident - thankfully! Quick lunch by Lake Victoria, stopped for groceries, coffee and then the 4-hour drive to Bundo begins.

Most of this journey consisted of being on paved roads, which as we learned over the course of the two weeks is a real treat. The dirt roads are narrow, winding and bumpy. It's not uncommon for vehicles to flip or slide off the road. I had forgotten that an 8-passenger van is considered an ATV, much to the chagrin of the passengers in the way back. Shocks are optional. Later in the week we learned the preferred way to ride on dirt roads is on the roof of the vehicle as that allows the experience feel like more of an amusement park ride. Probably wouldn't fly in this country but everyone should ride on the roof at least once in their adult life. Holding on and yelling "weeee" as the wind blows in your face are requirements. Also make sure items in your pockets are secured.

When we arrived at Good Shepard's Fold (GSF) Orphanage, the staff and children had gathered at the gate to greet us. The kids were wearing grass skirts and had arranged a little dance reception. We were given grass skirts and asked to join in the dancing. It was a blast and truly made us feel welcomed.

Currently at GSF there are 80 children, including several children with special needs and/or HIV. The children live in brick houses and are divided up by age and gender. Each house has one house mom or "auntie" who watches over and cares for the children. These women have such big hearts and do an amazing job caring for the kids. The age range of the children is from infants through eighteen years old.

One of the blessings we discovered shortly after we arrived was the gift of clean water. Years ago when the orphanage was built, Samaritan's Purse built two water towers that provide the entire campus with potable water. This makes a huge difference in the health and well being of the staff and children at GSF. In the surrounding villages, people walk for miles to get clean drinking water. It wasn't uncommon to see adults on bikes or children walking to and from a well with yellow jugs filled with clean water.

After the celebratory greeting, we were given a quick tour and settled in for the night. Cannot wait to see what these next two weeks bring (Internet access was very limited, so blog posts will be done now that I'm home). 
Keep Smiling

"T" minus fourteen hours

Heading to Uganda for a short term trip!! It's exciting to be leaving the country again, although I could do without all the packing. This trip is only for a few weeks but the packing always seems to end to be a last minute activity. No matter how many things I set aside and pick up along the way, I never seem to have it together until the night before. Never fails there is always one more thing to get. And as I sit here writing this, I wish I had time tomorrow to head back to EMS.

 I will be heading to eastern Uganda to work in a clinic that is part of an orphanage and school. Friends of mine who I met prior to working in Afghanistan moved to Uganda in April to manage the clinic and school. The nurse at the clinic is away and they asked if I could come out and help. Another friend of mine is coming along and will be working at the orphanage doing various projects and organizing  games for the kids. During our free time, we hope to sneak in a safari and/or a white water rafting trip.

Checked the weather and its warm dry heat during the day but it appears to cool off a bit at night. Electricity and all the amenities we take for granted in this country will be available sporadically. Hoping its cool enough where we won't need a fan. While at the orphanage, in order to be respectful the dress code for women is skirts that come past the knees and shirts, no spaghetti straps or tank tops. Men, long pants and shirts. In the city we can wear shorts.

I'm trying to pack light but I think its a lost cause. Either way, I need to get back to figuring out how many outfits one needs for working in the clinic, safari and a possible white water rafting excursion.
Keep Smiling!