Exploring Uganda and back to my Masai family in Kenya..

I went to Uganda by myself by overnight bus to Kampala.  I had a rough border crossing with my visa but eventually got there.

That first day in Kampala I found it strange not to hear the East African language of Kiswahili anymore.  It was odd to be a tourist in a foreign country again but now I was much more experienced in how things worked.  I knew how to haggle down and felt completely comfortable jumping on the back of a boda (motorbike) to get where I needed to go.  It’s all about confidence.

The city of Kampala..
The city of Kampala..

One thing I did notice in comparison to Kenya was that everything was so much greener and they had a lot more water.  There were bananas everywhere!

I spent just a couple of days in Kampala wandering around the streets and buying a few souvenirs to take back to my Masai family.  I walked through the craziness of Owino Markets which was jam-packed with people – no faranji (tourists) though..  It had everything you could think of!  I had a ‘rolex’ for lunch which is eggs, tomato and cabbage wrapped in a chapati –yum!

A typical sight when a matatu (bus) pulls up – never a shortage of food or drink to purchase..!
A typical sight when a matatu (bus) pulls up – never a shortage of food or drink to purchase..!

From Kampala I caught a local bus to Jinja which was beautiful.  I really enjoyed Jinja and booked myself on a full-day white-water rafting adventure down the Nile.

Whitewater rafting along the Nile –fun!
Whitewater rafting along the Nile –fun!

The rafting was great fun and I met some cool people.  We spent the day going down various rapids and past many locals bathing in the Nile.  Dinner out with the people I had met from rafting and then I missed my overnight bus (well they never stopped to pick me up!) so stayed an extra night in Jinja.  I wasn’t too fussed as it meant I had another full day exploring Jinja.  I jumped on a boda (the back of a motorbike) and got the driver to show me around taking me to a cool view of Lake Victoria and some cool spots along the Lake for sunset.

Great view of the Nile from Jinja..
Great view of the Nile from Jinja..

I was only in Uganda for a few days as I wanted to get back to my Masai family in Kenya.  Unfortunately I had a bad bout of food poisoning on the overnight bus back across the border to Nairobi which made for an uncomfortable journey.  I felt much more at home arriving in Nairobi and knowing where to go and what bus to catch without the locals ripping me off and having to pay ‘mzungu’ price.

I had one of the Masai pick me up on his ‘piki piki’ (motorbike) and take me to Olasiti where I went straight ‘home’ and to bed, not feeling well at all.

I slowly slowly started to feel better the next day and met the newer volunteers who were great!  I helped them with building the orphanage (they had done a great job!) and got some painting done.  On the weekend there was a Masai wedding which was very interesting to experience and I am glad we got to take a few pictures for them.

One of the beautiful ladies in her jewellery for the Masai wedding.
One of the beautiful ladies in her jewellery for the Masai wedding.

My ‘host mum’, Hannah, was due to have her baby whilst I was in Uganda and I had hoped to meet the little one and help Hannah around the house, but she still hadn’t had the baby!  Instead, I helped Hannah doing various things such as the dishes and helping with the meals for her.  I even taught Hannah how to make cookies using a chapati tray and a saucepan over the fire!!  Now this is something I am quite proud of.!

I also got to spend more time with little ‘Angel’, my host ‘sister’ (Hannah and Paul’s daughter) who was just shy of two-years old.  Angel was gorgeous and each time I would arrive back at the home she would come running up and grab my hand to play with her.  I had great fun with little Angel and she managed to learn a few English words too.

The gorgeous little Angel..
The gorgeous little Angel..

I had a great time with the new volunteers (helping build and paint the new orphanage etc) and even though Hannah did not have the baby whilst I was there (she ended up giving birth to a healthy baby girl, the night I left of course!), I was able to lend a hand and enjoy my last few days with them.

Painting the orphanage with the new volunteers (the Kiwis - Judy and Hollie!!)..
Painting the orphanage with the new volunteers (the Kiwis – Judy and Holly!!)..

I thoroughly enjoyed my time living with the Masai and they were very welcoming.  I learnt so much about their way of life and they are some of the friendliest and happiest people I have ever met.  They know how to appreciate life and gain happiness in the simplest of gestures.

Hannah, Angel and Alice saying their goodbyes as I left..
Hannah, Angel and Alice saying their goodbyes as I left..

Eventually it was time to move on from Kenya and I booked a flight to Ethiopia.  I found it really hard leaving the most incredible country of Kenya, as I had met so many special people and had really felt ‘at-home’ but I was slowly running out of money and needed to move on.

It was time for my 50th country..

Some of the children of my ‘family’ coming to say goodbye..
Some of the children of my ‘family’ coming to say goodbye..

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