I decided to go for a walk around town (Luweero) as not much else is happening. I have noticed that the kids toys are very simple, an old paint roller on a handle or some wheels attached to a stick to push around.
The vehicles are mostly re-furbished from Japan. A 1998 is just about new here and the trucks still have the Japaneese writting on them from their previous owner's business. Gas is 3600 Ugandan Shillings (about $1.50 Cdn / litre) and plastic water bottles are used to carry everything from water to gas to kerosene so you sure woudn't want to mix up your drinking bottle.
As I walk around all the kids say "hello Murango" (sp) which is basically "hi white man" and they wave.
***Note the name of the blog has changed - why I don't know but those who know me and computers will know this is normal - sorry for the confusion
Brad
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Wed Jan 11
We arrived at the Shanghai Restaurant for our Rotary meeting after Sue and I walked by the presidential residence. Interesting place with nice grounds and more armed guards. You have to remember not to look at it though as they left the manhole cover off the access that just happened to be in the middle of the sidewalk. Luckily we noticed it or one of us would have had to go to the meeting alone. The meeting started at 6pm with introductions of visiting Rotarians (about 9) including one from Washington USA. After reciting the 4 way test and the object of Rotary we sang a lively song and began the meeting. The project co-coordinator from the Makidye Club gave and an overview and I brought everyone up to speed. The Club is committed to getting the container to Luweero and several members are coming upon Saturday to have a tour. I brought the 2011 and 2012 Rotary cash calendars to show the great pictures of our country and presented the calendar to the president. ( I wonder if they will win?) We had a great dinner of lamb on an iron skillet for me and fried Tilapeia for Sue with a ginger sauce. Both were excellent. We headed out to the Grand hotel to await our driver - the place was rocking with a live band but we just sat down as Jackson arrived.
Wednesday morning we awoke and one of the Rotarian's from the meeting called to advise that the protest was going ahead and the shops were closed downtown. Sue's sister also called and suggested we head to Luweero just in case! Off we went through the suburbs around the City seeing a whole new section of the city and then back on the highway. We arrived and Sue bought some Calabrea (Banana flour biscuits) and we munched on them while Maureen made eggs and African tea for us.
I sent an email to our shipper and they advise that there is a large backlog and congestion in Mombassa and they are trying to get the container out - everyone cross your fingers for us.
We start on the garden tomorrow and hopefully get the Rotary symbol painted on the front of the library.
Wednesday morning we awoke and one of the Rotarian's from the meeting called to advise that the protest was going ahead and the shops were closed downtown. Sue's sister also called and suggested we head to Luweero just in case! Off we went through the suburbs around the City seeing a whole new section of the city and then back on the highway. We arrived and Sue bought some Calabrea (Banana flour biscuits) and we munched on them while Maureen made eggs and African tea for us.
I sent an email to our shipper and they advise that there is a large backlog and congestion in Mombassa and they are trying to get the container out - everyone cross your fingers for us.
We start on the garden tomorrow and hopefully get the Rotary symbol painted on the front of the library.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Tuesday Update
We have made into Kampala and I thought I would update as we were told that the shopkeepers are closing all the stores tomorrow as a protest to the banks. Apparently the banks have raised the interest rates to 28% even for people with existing mortgages. This being done with the okay of the government as they reduced the money in the central bank to buy the last election so they have to restock. The good part is that the banks pay 14% on savings accounts but the rules are very fluid and that can also change on a whim. I probably won't invest in the banks here.
There are 3 kinds of police officers here, military who patrol and have teargas cannons located strategically around the city, regular police that repond from pick up trucks if required and traffic police who aren't armed and their main position appears to be to stand on the side of the highways and flag over trucks for inspection and are required to pay to get by the check post. I was discussing traffic investigations and was informed that the first question the police ask upon arrival is "did you honk?" everyone is honking all the time so a "yes" answer could never be disputed. The boda boda (motorcycle taxis) cut everyone off and squeeze into any open spot causing breaks and horns to work overtime. If they get hit by a car the car driver pays for the repairs to the bike and the hospital costs as the car drivers are richer. Doesn't matter who is a fault.
I was lucky to have a "power monkey" donated to test for charging the cell phone as power is a rarity. I can charge the cell from it and then leave its power pack to be charged either in the wall socket or by solar. It is amazing to think that I can call home from 8 hours away for about $0.10/min I just have to remember the 8 hour difference, however I am getting up most mornings at 5 so I get a call to Sue after the boys are in bed.
The little guy I scared by taking a flash picture the first night is now my friend as he does the Hi 5 whenever he sees me. He wants to drink from my water bottle so I always save him a bit at the end to drink and he wants to share. He is now wandering around the buildings taking "pictures" with his camera a broken radio!
They have a nice snack for me - a pastry made of banana and Yucatan root flour. It is very tasty and GF.
We decided to have afternoon tea at the Grand Imperial Hotel downtown as we kill time waiting for our evening Rotary Meeting and I asked for these pastries but they are a country item from the villages and not available in town. Apparently they are not "city" enough.
On our drive here we found a small hole in the front tire. Jackson pulled into a gas station and went to a guy in the corner, he looked at the tire, told jackson to turn the tire to the left and he promptly repaired it on the car. Adding a little air he charged 5000 shillings (about $2 US) and off we went, a 5 minute tire repair.
The toen came around and cleaned up after the Flea market yesterday it was quite a mess. Last night as the vendors were leaving on eof the Maama Watali girls (Maureen) went out and collected money from the people who had been using the front of the home and library - literally they hung stuff for sale on the windows and dug holes in the front yard to put up posts to hang display items.
I am impressed that even though there is poverty all over the place almost everyone is working. If you stop at an intersection or slowed in traffic (continually) the vendors approach every car, not just tourists, to sell papers, telephone air time, plastic items and fruit. It is better that everyone has a bit than some have lots.
We have decided that the small dirt area that has been a collection spot for left over construction items and the like in the back of Maama Watali would make a great compost garden. The whole area besides this one is concrete to allow the rains and water to wash away. Having a small garden will allow the girls to get a bit of their own produce, teach composting, and help reduce teh amount of waste as there is a subsantial amount of fruit and vegetable peelings left that can't be eaten. It may take awhile as the ground under the construction stuff appears to be gravel but time is relative things move at a snail's pace.
There are 3 kinds of police officers here, military who patrol and have teargas cannons located strategically around the city, regular police that repond from pick up trucks if required and traffic police who aren't armed and their main position appears to be to stand on the side of the highways and flag over trucks for inspection and are required to pay to get by the check post. I was discussing traffic investigations and was informed that the first question the police ask upon arrival is "did you honk?" everyone is honking all the time so a "yes" answer could never be disputed. The boda boda (motorcycle taxis) cut everyone off and squeeze into any open spot causing breaks and horns to work overtime. If they get hit by a car the car driver pays for the repairs to the bike and the hospital costs as the car drivers are richer. Doesn't matter who is a fault.
I was lucky to have a "power monkey" donated to test for charging the cell phone as power is a rarity. I can charge the cell from it and then leave its power pack to be charged either in the wall socket or by solar. It is amazing to think that I can call home from 8 hours away for about $0.10/min I just have to remember the 8 hour difference, however I am getting up most mornings at 5 so I get a call to Sue after the boys are in bed.
The little guy I scared by taking a flash picture the first night is now my friend as he does the Hi 5 whenever he sees me. He wants to drink from my water bottle so I always save him a bit at the end to drink and he wants to share. He is now wandering around the buildings taking "pictures" with his camera a broken radio!
They have a nice snack for me - a pastry made of banana and Yucatan root flour. It is very tasty and GF.
We decided to have afternoon tea at the Grand Imperial Hotel downtown as we kill time waiting for our evening Rotary Meeting and I asked for these pastries but they are a country item from the villages and not available in town. Apparently they are not "city" enough.
On our drive here we found a small hole in the front tire. Jackson pulled into a gas station and went to a guy in the corner, he looked at the tire, told jackson to turn the tire to the left and he promptly repaired it on the car. Adding a little air he charged 5000 shillings (about $2 US) and off we went, a 5 minute tire repair.
The toen came around and cleaned up after the Flea market yesterday it was quite a mess. Last night as the vendors were leaving on eof the Maama Watali girls (Maureen) went out and collected money from the people who had been using the front of the home and library - literally they hung stuff for sale on the windows and dug holes in the front yard to put up posts to hang display items.
I am impressed that even though there is poverty all over the place almost everyone is working. If you stop at an intersection or slowed in traffic (continually) the vendors approach every car, not just tourists, to sell papers, telephone air time, plastic items and fruit. It is better that everyone has a bit than some have lots.
We have decided that the small dirt area that has been a collection spot for left over construction items and the like in the back of Maama Watali would make a great compost garden. The whole area besides this one is concrete to allow the rains and water to wash away. Having a small garden will allow the girls to get a bit of their own produce, teach composting, and help reduce teh amount of waste as there is a subsantial amount of fruit and vegetable peelings left that can't be eaten. It may take awhile as the ground under the construction stuff appears to be gravel but time is relative things move at a snail's pace.
Tuesday
Sue and I are headed into Kampala to attend the Makidye Club evening meeting. Just to let everyone know the internet connections are very slow taking over 20 minutes to sign on and 2 minutes for every email to be posted .
To make matters worse the repair the missing keys on the boards with whatever is around so it is not the gratest for a hunt and peck typist. The latest keyboard was so gummed up that I had to drive each key like a manual typewriter so please accept appologies for typos or no responses
To make matters worse the repair the missing keys on the boards with whatever is around so it is not the gratest for a hunt and peck typist. The latest keyboard was so gummed up that I had to drive each key like a manual typewriter so please accept appologies for typos or no responses
Monday, 9 January 2012
Monday - Flea Market
Monday the streets of Luweero fill with traders and framers from all over to sell anything to the locals and distributors going farther north. The streets out front of Maama Watali are closed and tarps of goods area everywhere. This is definitely going to effect our basketball court and hockey rink out front. I met with John the contractor and paid for 3 windows and 1 door but I had to walk through the Market to get to the manufacturer. The down payment was provided after haggling and off we went. He has to prefab everything and wait for power to come on to weld some day soon hopefully. We walked 2 km to a local school - lots of pictures but this is their summer and no kids are in class. We stopped by one of the Micro Business Maama Watali started and the lady proudly displayed her 300 chickens.
Speaking of chickens, after lunch Steve prepared the chicken for supper cutting off the head, de-feathering and gutting it. I have seen the whole process now, good thing I didn't name it.
Speaking of chickens, after lunch Steve prepared the chicken for supper cutting off the head, de-feathering and gutting it. I have seen the whole process now, good thing I didn't name it.
Sunday - the chicken
We got up to breakfast of fresh pineapple and headed to town for some thing substantial. After a hearty breakfast we drove to Sue's sister's house as some of the goods from the wedding were donated to Maama Watali so we filled up the car and headed out with a live chicken in the back and off to Sue's fathers house. He had the nicest gardens yet on his bit of land in the suburbs. I saw a school so headed with Sue's Luweero Moses to get some pictures. Not too often a school has a goat chickens and calf tied out front. This is the first time I have had my live supper driving with me (I wonder if her knew as he decided to jump into the front seat when we stopped and pooped on Sue's and Chris' purses). On the way back we stopped at a school for sale just outside of Luweero, 4.5 hectares with dorms for 300 a banana plantation, farming area and a soccer pitch. It needed a new sanitary system and running water. Asking price $300,000.00 US. (any sponsors out there?) We arrived at Maama Watali and had a meal of beans, potatoes and cabbage the an early night.
Saturday - the introduction
Saturday we started early 7:30 to get to Kampala. Dropping off 2 Maama Watali people on the way we arrived in Kampala early so we ere able to get on a High Speed Internet and change some money. We met several of Sue's relatives and the 9 of us in a Mazda 5 type of van headed to a rendezvous with some more relatives and a 2nd car. We changed into our formal attire and headed out. An Hour later were at the location and were greeted by Sue's brother. Once again we were treated like royalty seated behind the dad's to watch the event for good pictures. Both sides had a representative who asked questions and bantered the event away. The groom's clan arrived on the edge of the property (town) to be allowed access. They were met and allowed to pass. The had to answer questions of worth and lineage before the groom was accepted. The other clan then presented the single women who were rejected so they looked for more after more questions. Once the groom found the one he liked his clan had to "pay". They brought in fruits, vegetables, drinks, flour, sugar, 2 goats, calf, hind of beef, and 6 live chickens. After the items were dished out the bride and groom were brought together and the presents to the parents were given. This took 61/2 hours..... Luckily I had Susan to translate the whole event. We ate and headed home if you can imagine in the complete dark as the power was out in the city. - I slept - Jackson drove
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Friday / wedding day
We arrived at the library to see that the carpenter had taken down the dividing wall and was busy taking nails out to reuse the wood. We also had a door removed from a back room to use in securing the storage area. I was able to hold one piece of wood but that was it they really want to do this themselves. We have decided that the electrical system is so unreliable that we are going to disconnect the house from the "grid" and make it totally solar. We will be able to use existing switches and wire which will make it easier to run them as the wiring is in the concrete walls. We had to "drill" a hole through one wall for a new circuit but since the tools are not yet here the "drill" was a man on his knees with a chisel hammer and pipe. The circuit we ran will be in plastic conduits and the "knock outs" are done by heating a metal bar int he fire and pushing it through. The building outside has been painted yellow, green and white and it really stands out.
We headed off to the wedding of Steve and Edith we were treated like royalty, announced by the MC as the guests from Canada and when it came time to eat we were served right after the bride ad groom. There was lots of colour with the ladies dresses and decorations. The music was done between speeches but it did start at 2 and end at 6 in a very hot outdoor setting. They served a buffet of rice, sweet potato and beef.
We headed off to the wedding of Steve and Edith we were treated like royalty, announced by the MC as the guests from Canada and when it came time to eat we were served right after the bride ad groom. There was lots of colour with the ladies dresses and decorations. The music was done between speeches but it did start at 2 and end at 6 in a very hot outdoor setting. They served a buffet of rice, sweet potato and beef.
Friday, 6 January 2012
Library update
We were greeted in the morning by the movie announcer using the pa system to notify the town of the activities of the day. The true Town Crier.
The container has arrived at Mombassa Kenya and we are waiting to hear if it is on a truck yet...
Our library is on the way we met with the contractor this morning and we went through the plans and what we needed. Off we went to the hardware store to get more paint. John the contractor took off with the paint of a Boda (motorcycle taxi) we didn't want to watch as he loaded himself 2, 5 gallon jugs and 1 1 gallon on the back of the taxi. This is the usual method of transport with everything from a family of 4 (Mom Dad 4 year old and newborn in Moms arms) to a bed heading off.
We went back into Kampala to meet with some Government contacts and pick up a solar light for demo. When we returned the girls had cooked us a meal of dried tilapia fish in peanut sauce. The power was out so no movie was available.
We headed to the guest house and called it an early night.
The container has arrived at Mombassa Kenya and we are waiting to hear if it is on a truck yet...
Our library is on the way we met with the contractor this morning and we went through the plans and what we needed. Off we went to the hardware store to get more paint. John the contractor took off with the paint of a Boda (motorcycle taxi) we didn't want to watch as he loaded himself 2, 5 gallon jugs and 1 1 gallon on the back of the taxi. This is the usual method of transport with everything from a family of 4 (Mom Dad 4 year old and newborn in Moms arms) to a bed heading off.
We went back into Kampala to meet with some Government contacts and pick up a solar light for demo. When we returned the girls had cooked us a meal of dried tilapia fish in peanut sauce. The power was out so no movie was available.
We headed to the guest house and called it an early night.
Day 3 - Kampala Downtown
After a hearty breakfast Sue took us for a tour of the downtown markets. We have been invited to a formal event on Saturday - one of cousins is getting married and the man's family is presenting him to Sue's (the girl's side) to see if he is worthy. I am required to wear a long shirt (dress) and Chris has to get a formal outfit. Sue called her sister's and away we went shopping. We might as well have been on a leash as we had know idea where we were but never strayed from Sue's side. We saw the areas of Kampala that were the major trading markets and stops the importers made on the way to the Sudan etc. Quite an experience and we realized if you have the right connections you could get anything here. After our several hour tour Jackson started us on our way to Luweero. A stop at another cousins to pick up some items and were off. Except not with any speed as you have to negotiate, cars buses, motorcycles pedestrians and the occasional goat in rush hour. The 417 is a dream any time of the day. Once we arrived at the library we saw the start of the conversions, new paint, floors repaired and the work continuing. The Maama Watali girls cooked us a great traditional meal and we met the young kids. Across the street the movie house was playing an outdoor movie that the owner translated from English to Uganda and apparently not always accurately. We headed to our guest house and called it a day.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Day 2/3
Here I am in a Internet Cafe in Kampala.. As soon I started typing the power went out and we all had to start over - Unfortunately the timer on the computer didn't shut off with the power outage.
On the way to the airport I realized that I didn't have a watch so that was the first unexpected purchase.
We left Ottawa on time with little problem (except Chris had to go through secondary inspection which will become a theme) and traveled direct to Frankfurt - we then went to Brussels then to Kigiji (sp) Congo then arrived in Entebbe at 23:35 on Jan 3. 20 hours in planes with very little airport time but at every terminal we landed at one end and had to walk to the other (or a different terminal in one case) . We think the pilot was trying to win the "shortest landing strip prize" at Entebbe as I have had longer stops in helicopters. For the "gluten free" amongst you the meals were great but the snacks could have been improved. When your neigbour is eating a hot Tandoori Chicken wrap and you have a piece of ham between 2 slices of GF bread (not toasted) it is hard to swallow. However, the ice cream over the Nile was great.
We were met at the airport by Sue and here brother Jackson. We were very happy that Jackson was driving as they drive on the left and lane markers and signals are options seldom used. Everyone in cars move slowly and there are motorcycles and bikes darting amongst them with parked cars and pedestrians to make things just a little more interesting.
The weather here is a beautiful 28 sun and a slight breeze. We stayed at Sue's cousins house last night and were awoken by the roosters at dawn which would have been nice if we didn't get to sleep until 3am. We are heading to the library this afternoon after sightseeing Kampala today. Being the real tourists we are asking all sorts of questions and are heads are on swivels trying to take it all in. The large birds circling the city are apparently a member of the vulture family but they look like a cross between a Blue Heron and a Crane.
On the way to the airport I realized that I didn't have a watch so that was the first unexpected purchase.
We left Ottawa on time with little problem (except Chris had to go through secondary inspection which will become a theme) and traveled direct to Frankfurt - we then went to Brussels then to Kigiji (sp) Congo then arrived in Entebbe at 23:35 on Jan 3. 20 hours in planes with very little airport time but at every terminal we landed at one end and had to walk to the other (or a different terminal in one case) . We think the pilot was trying to win the "shortest landing strip prize" at Entebbe as I have had longer stops in helicopters. For the "gluten free" amongst you the meals were great but the snacks could have been improved. When your neigbour is eating a hot Tandoori Chicken wrap and you have a piece of ham between 2 slices of GF bread (not toasted) it is hard to swallow. However, the ice cream over the Nile was great.
We were met at the airport by Sue and here brother Jackson. We were very happy that Jackson was driving as they drive on the left and lane markers and signals are options seldom used. Everyone in cars move slowly and there are motorcycles and bikes darting amongst them with parked cars and pedestrians to make things just a little more interesting.
The weather here is a beautiful 28 sun and a slight breeze. We stayed at Sue's cousins house last night and were awoken by the roosters at dawn which would have been nice if we didn't get to sleep until 3am. We are heading to the library this afternoon after sightseeing Kampala today. Being the real tourists we are asking all sorts of questions and are heads are on swivels trying to take it all in. The large birds circling the city are apparently a member of the vulture family but they look like a cross between a Blue Heron and a Crane.
Monday, 2 January 2012
Day One - Departure
We are leaving today (Chris and I) heading to Uganda via Brussels and Frankfurt. The container sent by the Stittsville Rotary Club has been delayed by two weeks so our plans have already changed. I received an email for Sue, she arrived last night without any adventures to report and that it is nice and warm in Kampala
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