adventures

As students left school at the end of April en route to enjoy their holidays, I also left school in anticipation of having some holidays. Unlike the students who dig, plant, weed, fetch water and firewood, cook, clean, wash, and do other domestic work or find some employment to earn money for school fees, I went in search of some relaxation, exploration, adrenaline, and adventures.

In Kabale I experienced hospitality, graciousness, and gratitude while visiting my sister's sponsored child in a village 3 hours from Kabale town. While driving to and from the destination, I was thankful for having a 4-wheel vehicle as our expert driver maneuvered through the curvy, narrow, dirt roads. Normally I wouldn't find this unnerving, but the absence of guard rails on the mountainous roads and the approach of large lorry trucks that consume most of the road prove to cause many accidents, especially during the rainy season when the roads become impassable and slippery. The actual visit to the village was impressive. I was able to learn about the various programs that happen in the community which are co-ordinated by the organization. In addition, meeting my sister's sponsored child, her family and her home brought immense joy to everyone that I know my visit will be cherished for a lifetime.

In Rwanda, I experienced cleanliness, safety, warmth, and acceptance. When our bus crossed the border, all plastic bags were torn and removed since the Rwandan government effectively enforces the ban against plastic bags. Maybe North America will soon realize the benefit of removing plastic bags and follow the lead of this African nation. In addition, the cities, towns, and surrounding environment in Rwanda are void of any type of garbage, unwanted vegetation, and dust. To maintain such a cleanly state, the third Saturday of each month is designated for citizens to clean the entire nation. During the other days, hundreds of workers sweep, pick up garbage, empty garbage bins, and keep vegetation tidy. Unlike Uganda, all motorcyclists are required to wear a helmet. I felt very safe on a motorcycle for three reasons: (1) I also had to wear a helmet; (2) only 1 passenger is allowed, instead of 2 passengers plus the driver in Uganda; (3) women cannot sit side saddle. The natural beauty of Rwanda: it's rolling hills, green surrounding, and overbearing trees, is enhanced by the way I was treated as a foreigner. Being in Uganda has made me used to being called muzungu, and getting inappropriate and unwanted attention from motorcyclists and (male) pedestrians. But in Rwanda, I was not in the spotlight, nor was I ever harassed by individuals. As I visited a couple of genocide sites, I learned much about the history of Rwanda and human nature. Discussing these genocide sites is not adequately achieved here, so I'll avoid going into detail.

I experienced hiking, child friendliness, and wandering through villages at Sipi Falls. Although it is the rainy season, most of Uganda has been neglected in this aspect. In consequence, Sipi Falls was not as majestic and grande as it has been in the past. Nonetheless, to see the three sets of falls took four hours. We hiked to the top, walking past people's grass-thatched homes, through people's gardens where they were growing sweet potatoes, and through communities where children hollered "muzungu, how are how?". At the top of the falls, we sat in awe for a bit appreciating the beauty. At the second falls, I swam in the icy cold natural swimming pool where my feet felt the slime on the rocks and the force of water going over a short rock fall. To reach the third falls, we descended a completely vertical ladder before balancing ourselves on rocks to cross a stream. The afternoon was needed to rest after a vigorous workout that my body hadn't had for many months.

I experienced "probably the best rafting in the world", as one tour company suggests, in the Nile River. Yesterday, almost seventy people climbed aboard ten different rafts to enjoy a six-hour rafting experience. The first bit was devoted to safety training in the water. We learned the appropriate techniques to hold on to the raft, to "enjoy the ride" after falling out during a rapid, to hold on to the kayak that would save us after flipping, etc. During this safety talk, three members of our group decided to not participate, which left only five rafters in our boat, including our guide. There were ten rapids in total, including some class 5 rapids. Our raft flipped a few times. In consequence, I swallowed a few litres of the River Nile, bumped around in the foamy water, and my instincts kicked in as I swam to the raft. During one rapid, our raft was completely perpendicular to the river, with my body upside down and knocking my friend's helmets. But we defied the laws of gravity and managed to get back upright on the river again. As a result, I got a few bruises after flying in the air. On the long flat stretches, I swam in the Nile, just floating and doing somersaults in the water, and doing front flips off the raft. The most intense rapid occurred at the end, appropriately called the "bad place". Most rafts flip over and people sometimes lose their clothing, and are beneath the water for several haunting and frantic minutes. My team went first, after the safety raft and kayaks had gone. Sitting in the middle, I didn't see the enormity of the rapids as they approached. The people in front of me and beside me both fell over but I threw my paddle away and hung on with both hands while my feet dangled in the air. Miraculously, I was able to stay in the raft, along with my guide and another person. We watched as one raft flipped over and their guide unintentionally managed to flip his body back onto the upside-down raft. Following the rafting, we enjoyed supper and conversing with some of the other rafters. Late in the evening, we all gathered to watch video footage of our experience: people falling out of the rafts, rafts almost tipping over, people sitting on the front embracing the raft in anticipation of falling into the rapid, kayakers saving people and paddles after being capsized, and cheering after successfully completing a rapid. This particular experience has definitely proven to be the most exhilarating and thrilling trip I've done in Uganda (also the most expensive!). I also highly recommend white water rafting the Nile River, since it's "probably the best rafting in the world".

I look forward to a few more adventures during my next two months in Uganda...