7th Week, Kampala Day 3
Monday August 24, 2009
11:38pm
Parting Words, Spurned Boda, & Night Jam Session
Today was only mildly interesting. I got up past 10am as usual, waking up intermittently to the sounds of screaming Jesse (2-year old son of Isabel). I had a lot of good dreams, filled with cute guys and travels and such.
This is Jesse (yes, he's a boy) and one of the helpers.
The morning was kind of confusing. I had intended to go to Entebbe Airport with everyone, but Hirome and the others (Calvin and Josephine) weren’t arriving for a long time and with Davy in the equation, there didn’t look like there was going to be much space for me. Still, I thought at least I could get a ride to Red Chili’s or at least the city – and delay the time of having to say goodbye to everyone. It would be so convenient for me and my luggage as well.
At the end, the Mbale and Busolwe troupe didn’t arrive until past 12pm – I said a tense greeting to the three and then we all sat down for one last meal together. At first I wasn’t going to eat anything, thinking it was just matooke; but when I found out it was actually sweet potatoes, my appetite returned!
What happened next really, really sucked. It sank my spirits completely. I had been totally prepared to leave with the others in their spacious SUV and rushed to pack everything in time to leave with them. Just as I was finishing and hurrying outside Sharon started calling for me in a really loud voice. “Yeah, I know, I’m almost done here!” No, she told me, actually I would be unable to go with them at all. After all, David had to come along with them to use his ID for a gas discount at the station (what in the –??) and they were afraid of police inspeection if we were to overload. I was so pissed at hearing this that I almost wanted to turn around and storm out of there without saying anything. I barely said goodbye to Mr. Hirome, who I may never see again. Sharon hugged me, Calvin wished me a safe journey, and then Sharon also said “I love you too many.” And then they disappeared…
One last time: the two of us fooling around in Uganda.
I was so angry. I hadn’t even properly said my goodbyes. I felt so stupid and cheated. Now how was I supposed to get to Red Chilli’s, anyway? Josephine made matters worse by telling me that she was sure they wouldn’t be coming back till past 5pm. Eventually I decided to make my way to the city on my own and Josephine had the courtesy to accompany some way before turning back.
Getting to the city wasn’t easy. No one knew Red Chili’s. I eventually took a slow taxi for 1k, then (after a lengthy and arduous process of bargaining) had to transfer to a boda for 5k roundtrip. Red Chili’s (a backpacker’s hostel that was organizing our safari tomorrow) turned out to be totally ghetto (no bed linens provided, even!!) and it was in the worst, most random location. Getting there was no fun because we basically had to ride through some kind of industrial sector that persistently smelt of burning rubbish and had enormous smoky trucks passing through all the time. I checked in and used the free Internet available there for 20 minutes.
When I got back to my boda guy, damn was he pissed. He demanded 10 000 for the “long” wait. As if boda drivers have anything else to do anyway! He dropped me at the Kampala Serena Hotel (best hotel in Uganda) and proceeded to launch into the most aggressive boda tantrum I’ve witnessed as of yet. Seriously, it was like as if I had personally and deeply offended his dignity or something. Even though we had clearly agreed that the price was including waiting time. Eventually, I handed him 5500 and allowed the numerous and sympathetic security guards there to haul him off. Whew. That was actually my idea in choosing to stop at this hotel… I knew the security there would protect me!
Swimming pool at Serena Hotel.
After that, I kind of just wandered. First ate another sub at Debonairs. A club this time, with bacon, salami and chicken. For only 5500 it was utter perfection.
Fresh fruit market in Kampala.
Of course I found the forex right away but still kept wandering for the sheer heck of it. I bought a Bic pen, a hairband, and this very notebook. I didn’t leave that area until past 8pm, and only on the insistence of Claire and Andrea, who I’d agreed to meet in a restaurant somewhere. I truly love wandering there and almost dying dozens of times!
Kampala market at night. I love it.
I got a boda to the National Theatre and then found Masala Chaat Indian House where they were waiting for me – wait a minute, wasn’t this exactly the same Indian restaurant as we ate in on the first day (treat of Dr. Juliet)? Argh. I didn’t order anything but the sugar cane juice for 2500. Heh. I love that sugar juice!
After that, we headed to the live music jamming session at the National Theatre, a sort of place where artists from all backgrounds meet. It was pretty sweet. I sat in the front row (ie, the lowest step of a small stone staircase in front of the outdoor “stage”). They were mostly Ugandan guys wearing wacky hats jamming on guitars, keyboards, drums and there was one very short guy on a trumpet. At one point a really hyper, super-intense Swedish girl (who spoke English, of course) took the stage with keys and vocals, and also a man with no legs but a beautiful voice! We didn’t leave until around 11:30pm, and only because we have to be up by around 6:30-7am tomorrow.
Jam session at National Theatre.
I had a great time, though… God, I love music and the stage.
-Valerie
