Getting up around 11:00 and struggling through the process of getting ready--a quick, cold shower that unfortunately didn't cool me down for long as I immediately regained my sweat mustache and coinciding claustrophobia. Then lathering on the intense deet bug spray and sunblock, Katy throwing up her doxy (malaria preventative medicine), and the heat all resulted in an anxious and moody Sloane. But then we finally stepped outside.
Bota bota, cows and children. That pretty well sums up our first impression of Uganda as we stepped outside of the Backpackers gates. Our plan was a hefty one: buy water and check out the beach. WIthin two minutes of walking the red dirt road, our first bota bota heckler approached us (Bota botas are motorbike taxis). At the same time, a herd of adorable school children crossed in front of us as several huge, black cows meandered on by. Without a thought, we hopped on the bota bota and flew to town, giggling with disbelief and trying to take in all the sights that flashed past us.
After loading up on bottled water and being dropped off at the water's edge, our 4,000 shilling ride suddenly escalates to 10,000. Our timidity was our downfall as we gave into the "Muzungu price" (Muzungu is Lugandan for white person). You live, you learn! We'll be stronger barterers next time. Katy and I share a love for water as our souls' refuge. This shoreline, albeit small, featured surprisingly crashing waves and not that much trash. The tourist bars and restaurants included actual bamboo huts. One more bucket list item checked off! We didn't dare to stay under the hut for too long since we weren't paying customers and everyone was staring at us. But it was fine because there was still so much left to see! As we strolled along the dirt road seeking out other possible beaches, hundreds of striped dragon flies danced around our feet as the cool breeze set the mood to mellow. The sandy beaches were half the size of the grassy strips behind them. This grass, mostly covered by small yet shady trees, is the spot for locals to cat nap. Which made me wonder, do Ugandans have a name for their equivalent of the Spanish "siesta"? Or is it just all a part of "Africa time"?
Walking back to the Backpackers, we saw one bota bota carrying an entire bedframe-headboard and footboard attached-with more home decor on top, another carrying ginormous bushels of plantains, and another with at least five people crammed on. These bota botas are beasts. Back at the hostel, we sat on the porch in meditative peace. Ready to try out some of the in-house restaurant, we grabbed a table inside while the tv bumped the songs #Blurredlines followed by Macklemore's Can't Hold Us. Our roommate Brittney would have shrieked with excitement, and our roommate Kelci would have checked into a new hostel. Katy and I just laughed at the fact that these songs were playing right now, in a hostel in Uganda, Africa.
As the night drew to a close, Katy and I stood outside our dorm room, gazing at the stars that seemed to be growing by the hundreds in front of our eyes. One of the hostel workers walked by, and commented on the stars as well. He used to study them, as well as civil engineering. And Buddhism. And is an avid reader of Eckhart Tolle and Stephen Hawking. After listening to this man talk about lessons he's learned and things he's experienced throughout his life, he finally introduced himself as Frank. He's Frank, of Frank's Backpackers. The owner of this adorable hostel. As we talked about our drastically similar takes on life and how to live it, I felt tears subtly begin to well. Seeing as books have always been my dearest companions and life coaches, I instantly fall in love when I meet people who read the same things as I. Frank is a talker. Hardly getting a word in edgewise, he gave me, one who always has something to say, a run for my money. Tying together his 75 different tangents, Frank's summation of life is simple and lovely: Just be happy. Do what makes you happy, be where it makes you happy, and don't live outside of those moments. He was also adamant on the importance of hard work and how frustrating he finds the laziness of so many Ugandans and the coinciding negative aspect of "Africa time". This sparked several questions in me as I wanted to pick his brain on his ideas for capacity building and the like. However, it was late and Frank wanted to shower. Energized and thankful that we have several more days here, I went to bed looking forward to the next time I speak with this intriguing old man.
And that's all just Day One.
No comments:
Post a Comment