Arrival

It is the fourth of february a friday morning, heading to the airport to take the flight to Uganda. The train ride goes smoothly, the airport floors are shiny. Everyone is heading somewhere else. The queue to the baggage drop is not as sufficient as expected, feel the irritation running through my blood stream, and by looking at the facial expressions of others in line apparently this sentiment is shared by many. Why is it taking such a time to check in, sure I have two hours to check in, but that is not the point. This is Europe, we need and expect things to be done and fixed fast. My impatience and the expectations I have get the better of me at times. Why am I so different when I am abroad? I wish I could sometimes place my travel mentality when I am in Europe, but hey maybe that is the reason I constantly urge to go abroad. Just like myself more when I let go of expectations. Finally headed to another line and get checked in, on the flight and then arrive in Uganda. The airport in Entebbe is not crowded, the floors are not shiny. Get to the Visa check in, already had a visa fixed for six months but apparently that does not mean much. If the person behind the desk is in a bad mood he gives you a stamp for one month and the money you spent getting a longer visa is tossed down the drain. I was met up by Boca and his two daughters, standing with a sign with my name on it. They are my ride to ADRAs head quarters in Kampala. It is 8 pm, it is around 25 degrees and for me the weather is perfect, Boca however finds it a bit chilly. We have a 1 hour drive ahead of us. Boca and I instantly connect, and I find myself sharing topics with him I only tell people I have known for a while, if even that. It was such a nice talk, and I thought to myself if I am instantly struck with such a nice encounter so soon, how much more will these four months give me? We are driving in quite a speed, and the traffic here abides by its own rules. I am the only dork in the car wearing a seat belt. But hey better safe than sorry, right? Eventually drive up to the headquarters of ADRA. The security guard who was wearing what looks like a winter jacket, (can not help smiling within) let us in. Meet Thore and Siri who are the current directors of ADRA. Robin the youngest son was asleep on the couch. I also met Robins home schooling teacher, a young girl named Elin. I had a small chat with them before heading for bed. I was glad to see them be so pleased with the chocolates and cheese I got them, since it is almost impossible to get it in Uganda. Thereafter I head to my little guest room in the guest house outside. It is perfect for me and has all I need, a desk, a bed, and an own bathroom.  It feels so tranquil, and the house is overlooking the Victoria Lake. A branch had hit the internet wire and the electricity was out during the day. The electricity was now back but not the internet, so I do not know yet how frequently I can keep myself updated. Like Siri said about the situation, this is Africa, welcome. Feel no sense of irritation through my blood stream, have no sense of expectation or impatience. I am just pleased with a sense of adaptation and acceptance.  An already changing mindset questioning, why do I need to go to the other end of the world to realize the meaning of what matters and more importantly what does not matter that much?  

Weekend

I was woken to a bright sun light and warm weather. Ohh heat, how I have missed it! Then I headed to have an amazing breakfast with fresh fruits and juices. Thereafter we all headed to church. The sermon was interesting but it was way too long. He just talked and talked. Should have told him that the brain only has a certain amount of storage space and beyond a limit you just stop listening. Furthermore at times he really screamed. It might have been a waking call, just in case anybody fell asleep, which some people did. But In all fairness the overall message the pastor tried to convey was nice.  When we left church we were stuck in one of Uganda’s amazing car traffic lines, nothing moves and there is no reason for why.  You just simply have to force yourself on the road again. In the evening we headed to the botanical garden in Entebbe, where the first Tarzan movie was filmed. The trees were amazing and massive.  We just got lost in them and of course could not help myself but had to hang from a liana just like Tarzan does. However I was quite bad at it. Then we saw some kids who had taken a giant palm branch and headed down a hill in such a speed. We asked if we could try, so Elin, Robin and I gave it a try. It was a lot of fun. Kids can really be creative and have fun with anything they find. However I suppose the part the kids laughed at the most was us making a worst attempt than theirs of sliding down the hill. It is settled, when I have kids I am not going to spoil them with technological and high gadget stuff but hand them a branch and say, be a kid, be creative and imaginative!    

Weekend is soon over and the internet connection is back. The ADRA work begins on Monday. What a relaxed nice weekend it has been. Now sitting by the pool and having a fresh passion juice. However I am looking forward to Monday and being on the field. Thore asked me if my insurance coverage also includes an emergency flight ride home in case something would occur. Apparently they also work in remote areas with heavily affected people and almost no one goes to those areas, not even the registered NGOs, so you never know what can happen there. Do not know what to expect but I gladly take upon the offer to join and see what actually goes on there. Will be interesting to see how the development work is being performed and also how it is being perceived by the locals.