I never planned to come to Uganda so this is a bit of a bonus. I'm going to stay with my friend Trisha in South Sudan and had to come here to Kampala to get a visa. I've never even been to Africa before. I arrived at Kampala local time 11.45pm so Godfrey the taxi driver wasn't best pleased as he'd been waiting since 9.30.Neither was he pleased about me not being able to pay him because my friend had paid the journey to someone in advance as i didn't have any money. but he was long-suffering about it. Poor man. He told me on the way that he had three children and one only three days old. Gulp. The journey from the airport could have been hair raising if I wasn't completely in the will of God and without any fear. the taxi felt wobbly in all depts inc steering, brakes and gears but Godfrey seemed calm and so was I. Arrived at guest house 40 mins later in pitch black. Lucky I brought a torch. I climbed onto the bed under the mosquito net and fell asleep in the most pich darkness I have ever known. Too tired to care. I had popped outside earlier for a quick cigarette and did wonder if one of the guards might mistake me for an intruder. Felt this wasn't a wise decision and decided not to do it again.
Woke this morning thinking it was 7 but it was 10 and had to let betty the cleaner in. She moved me to a much nicer room with a veranda and a view over the whole of Kampala that took my breath away. It's green trees and plants and red dusty roads with the biggest potholes I have ever come across. There are a few high rise buildings but most of them look unfinished. I don't think they are though.and what look like shanty shops for miles and miles along the sides of the roads. Children begging. I took a taxi into town to the Imperial hotel for money exchange and was gob smacked by this city. Hundreds of taxis both car and motor bikes pulling out with whoever has the biggest nerve seeming to be the highway code for right of way. Bikers wear no helmets, take two. passengers and women mostly ride side saddle I came back to the guest house just as the rains started and was soaked to the skin in the 5 secs it took me to run inside.. so the WiFi is working when the electricity is on and I managed to phone a couple of contacts and my daughter in Scotland. I really couldn't be any happier :)
