WEEK 7
On Sunday we had a good time catching up with Chris & Hazel from Brentwood.

Monday 4 September 2006
This morning I (James) made an attempt to continue with our paper chase from Friday. It only took 1½hours to get to our first stop (it can take only 20 minutes if the traffic is light). But we got the first piece of information fairly quickly after I pleaded helplessness and indicated that coming back tomorrow was not really an option. The clerk THEN agreed to look to see if the information was ready, which it was. But I was re-directed to another office, visited on Friday, to complete another section even though we had given in copies of the relevant information to the first office. The next bit is even more confusing, so to summarise I participated in 6 separate queues after which I was then told to wait 2hrs before going to the next one. Ann, who had driven me into town and waited patiently, agreed that we should go to another venue to complete other chores including a cup of coffee and a cake.

This is where we learned that the alteration to the radio phone so that it would work in Arua would not take 5 minutes and previously indicated, but 5 days. By which time I would be in Arua but the phone would be in Kampala. We explored other options with the help of the MTN representative but agreed that that was the most viable option. Hence we will have no e-mails, blog entries or internet until around the 7th Oct. However, we will look for an internet café or other access points. Our mobile will work in Arua.

By now our two hours were up so we returned to the previous office. I gave in the papers, was given a receipt and told to come back on Wednesday. Not again! I repeated my previous plea and it was suggested that I try tomorrow. So we’ll see. I should also say that all the people I spoke to were actually very polite and helpful even if they didn’t actually say very much!

The rest of the day was more productive. Chris and Hazel were with us at Matoke for the rest of the afternoon and managed to stay interested as we showed them pictures of Arua and described the house in some detail.

Tuesday 5 September 2006
We went to Entebbe today with Chris & Hazel – taking them on public transport. The public coped very well. We had a friendly ‘conductor’ who recognised us on the way back too. We were a bit late starting out so went straight for lunch and the Lake View Hotel. Then a gentle stroll in the Botanical Gardens to admire all the … well, trees. I’m sure that those who are particularly botanical would enjoy it but there was a distinct lack of flowers. But we enjoyed the company and time with friends from home. Our evening was spent packing. How many people pack curtains in their suitcase? And I’ve just been informed that I will be getting up at 5.15am. I didn’t realise that time existed. And for those who haven’t heard yet – we won’t have internet access or a while, possibly until the beginning of October – so no more blog entries for a while!

WEEK 6
On Sunday we observed the Sunday school at Zana and it was very interesting to see the methods and the content. All the children stayed in for the church service which followed – a total of 2½ hours for them! The day ended with Gill & Steve joining us for a traditional English Sunday meal – beef and Yorkshire pudding! Well, almost ended. At 7pm we had a phone from Arua offering to take our belongings up in a lorry on Tuesday afternoon.

We had an early start on Monday to travel to Jinja with Steve and Gill and arrived at Bugalai falls in time to see the rafters surfing the rapids. This was the same Nile river route we took three years ago and when the rafts capsized it brought back memories of that trip. It was good to watch from the side and stay dry. [See photograph] We stopped for lunch at the source of the Nile where the fresh water springs meet Lake Victoria. We visited an orphanage, Good Shepherd Fold for a quick tour. It was a great encouragement to spend time with Steve and Gill.
On Tuesday we visited the doctor. For a medical check up for our driving licences – nothing serious! I (James) had developed an itchy rash or two over the weekend so took the opportunity to ask advice. I had been attacked by “hairy caterpillars” (see http://www.cbit.uq.edu.au/software/riceipm/keys/Html/creatonotus.htm). We had been warned about them bit I didn’t see them – their hairs and powder they release from trees produce and itchy rash – as I can testify! The lorry from Arua arrived as planned; as it left with most of our belongings we wondered where and when we would see them again!

On Wednesday we went into Kampala for a change. We were left at the Post Office to met John Ondoma, the Chairman of the Board of Ushindi School. We had a good meeting and agreed to travel to Arua next week to stay with him for a few days. Following our meeting, we explored central Kampala. This was not our intention as we were trying to find the Eagle Airline ticket office to book and pay for our flights. After only four calls to ‘base camp’ (Matoke Inn) for first the address and then directions we discovered the office and duly booked the tickets. So at last, we’re going. But with mixed feelings – we want to get going, but don’t want to leave the relative comfort and security of Matoke Inn. But I’m sure we’ll settle in there too in time. We’re getting more courageous every day. We managed to find Nandos one of the first restaurants we went to in both of our 2003 and 2004 visits. OK, so we were actually looking for the Nile Grill – but Nandos was easier to spot. Then we had to find our way to the taxi park, find the correct taxi and the place to get off. It doesn’t sound like a major thing but if you’ve ever been to Kampala you’ll understand. Needless to say, we managed with no difficulties and feel we’ve almost mastered Kampala and its public transport system.

Sillar came joined us for lunch on Thursday. It was great to see him again as it was his original letter to the UK that initiated our interested in Uganda. He also visited the UK and remembers many of the people at church and at school whom he met in 2003.

On Friday we had planned to go into Kampala early with Ken and Ann to deal with the paper work to transfer ownership of the car but this was delayed because the new Matoke Inn generator was due to be delivered. It wasn’t so we went in time for lunch and then followed a short paper trail across town. The traffic was horrendous and didn’t seem to be moving for long periods, but eventually we succeeded.

Andrea was taken to Owena market on Saturday and bought some curtains (or material, I’m not sure which) and some blouses. ‘Unfortunately’ I was had to forgo this exciting privilege. I’m still trying to think of an acceptable reason! Incidentally, the hairy caterpillar rash is almost gone, but still itches a bit.