All around Uganda

After the safari, I still had a couple weeks before I had to be back at site, so my friends and I (we turned into the fab five) continued to explore Uganda and see more people in our group. We slowly made our way to the infamous Southwest of Uganda, Mbarara and Kabale to be precise. Before going we recuperated in Kampala with some good food and Iron Man 3. Let me tell you, I love that city. Mostly I am just a city person and this village life nonsense is killing me, but Kampala has a few gems. Then we set out for Mbarara. After a long bus ride, where I made faces at a cute kid in the front, we finally reached. It was reasonably developed, but the people came off as very rude. We hung out a bit, reunited with our friends that did the camp in this region, made fun of a menu that included drinks called “blow job” and “pink p****,” and I got to meet up with someone from an underground organization that works with a very at risk group in Uganda. I am sure you have heard the news about the legality of a certain lifestyle here, well some people are doing very good work around the issue lets just say that. Went out that night to an awesome nightclub and had a good time overall. Next day we set out to a friend’s site in the middle of the woods. Well we had to travel a bit to get there, but the one thing the southwest does have is a gorgeous scenery. Rolling hills with tons of trees of all types, isolated lakes, and beautiful skylines. We hiked through what felt like three ecosystems. First it was typical Ugandan with banana trees and tall grass, next came a real rainforest with ferns and all, and finally a coniferous forest the likes of back home in upstate New York. We finally reached a secluded lake that years ago was believed to cure gonorrhea and housed a witch doctor. Of course we went swimming! We made family dinner that night ( I cooked!) and watched the Lion King in honor of our safari trip, especially because we were making references to it the entire time.

Eventually we reached Kabale, which was not all that impressive. Only thing nice about it was it was near Lake Bunyoni, where a volunteer lives. It was a nice get away, we stayed at a resort like place (do not picture anything remotely like resorts in Jamaica or Mexico, my standards have gone way way down.) Got to eat good food, play drinking games, swim, and just relax. A few of us headed back, taking a short detour along the way in a very very beautiful and delicious place, and began the dreaded journey back to site. Before going to Tororo, we stayed again in Kampala and explore the nightlife there. Went to an incredible rooftop lounge that played western music and then to a night club. Well the first one we went to was filled with pretentious Europeans and Americans (not that all of them were but many of them just acted ridiculous), none of us liked it. So we went next door to a place that was crammed full of Ugandans and had a total blast till 3 in the morning. I don’t want to go back to site!!!!!