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Thursday - Day 3
Livy's alarm is really starting to do my head in, but at least it wakes me up. We woke up around eight, got up showered and headed to breakfast, not forgetting to take our Malaria tablets with us; which my Mum has kindly marked M T W T F S S so I know where I'm up to, bless her. Breakfast was about as exciting as yesterday, so I only ended up having a few pieces of pineapple, probably need to buy some cereal to keep me going. After breakfast we called Cathy and arranged to meet her at two o'clock, so we could can go and meet Godfrey Kiganga the man who is running our induction week. We had all morning free so we decided to get boda bodas to the Nile Resort hotel where you can pay 6,000Ush around £2 to use their pool. The hotel was pretty tranquil and definitely an oasis from the hustle and bustle of Jinja. After we'd used the pool we sunbathed for a bit and then headed back to Jinja for some lunch. We went to the Source cafe and my chicken and guacamole wrap was very tasty, apart from the wrap part which was a bit thick and greasy! We headed back to the guest house in time to meet Cathy at two o'clock. When we arrived back to our surprise and delight the Wolverhampton gap year students had arrived. Like us they found it all a bit overwhelming and surreal at first but after five minutes talking to us, they seemed to relax. Cathy arrived to meet us so we told Rachel, Sophie and Miles that we'd meet up with them later on in the afternoon. Cathy took us to meet Godfrey who was very friendly and welcoming and told us that we were all going to have a meeting at the Zamo Hotel , which is just down the road, on Sunday to discuss the dos and don'ts about staying in Uganda. He seemed really concerned that we had an enjoyable stay here. After the meet Cathy took us to another school near Wanyange to pick up her brother who'd had an interview there that morning. He was applying for a teaching job although he was only 16 which seemed strange. We also met Cathy's Mum who looked younger than she did. Once we'd got back to the guest house we decided to nip to Indulge for a smoothie and I got to update my blog! Back at the guest house we had a big chat with Rachel, Miles and Sophie; they were just as lovely as we'd remembered them. Miles was shattered but Rachel, Sophie, Livy and I decide to head out for dinner a bit later. We persuaded a very eager Rachel and a nervous Sophie that boda bodas were by far the most efficient means of transport and so we got on them in pairs. After a slight detour to a restaurant which we later learned had changed its name, we headed to 2 friends again and all arrived in one piece. We all had a really nice meal and my chicken biriyani curry was especially delicious. Back at the guest house we treated ourselves to some PG tips tea and watched a bit of Mamma Mia before realising we were all shattered. Livy and I used our trusty sewing kits to fix a few larger holes in our mosquito nets.
Friday - Day 4
We woke up slightly later this morning and decided to venture to breakfast in our pjs. The pineapple is getting considerably better every morning, but I still can't face the toast! Annette came into breakfast and informed us that 3 boys had arrived at two o'clock in the morning; she decided to wake them so they could get some breakfast. We were all excited to meet our new arrivals. In walked Dom, Ollie and Joe, boys from Hampton School in London, out here doing the same thing as Livy and I. We had a massive chat and it was pretty clear we were all going to get on really well. After breakfast Livy and I showered and changed and went to sit outside on the veranda to read and write our blogs. All the others were being met by their link school, like we had been, to be showed around and introduced to people. Livy and I decided to go to the market and when we told Cathy she offered to come with us to help us with prices etc. The Market was incredible, very similar to that in Gambia, with rows and rows of stalls selling everything from shoe polish to passion fruits. We managed to pick up a variety of fruit some we'd never seen before and some vegetables for when we eventually decide to eat in. After the market Livy and I went to Flavours for some bruschetta and a smoothie and then to Indulge to take advantage of the free wifi. When we got back everyone else was and we all sat outside writing our blogs and reading and having a massive chat about our time in Uganda. Livy and I were going to cook tonight but we decided as it was the boy's first night we should all go out. When we all sat down, another two gap year students arrived; they had been here since the 14th butas part of their placements they go to villages some weeks. Tom and Marianne again seemed lovely and agreed to join us for dinner. Marianne told us all about what it was like living in a tiny village and the experience sounded amazing, although not the excessive amount of stodgy carb loaded food. After some confusion about where we going to go we headed to Flavours . At night we all decided that it was safest to go boy-girl to a boda boda, Joe was my boy and we had a laugh on the way down and both agreed how surreal the situation was. At dinner we sat on two long picnic table pushed together. Down my end were Rach, Joe, Dom and Marianne. It seems so strange to think we've only known each other for a few hours as literally you can't shut us all up. As a group we've all just clicked and it seems that we're really lucky to all get on so well. Dinner was lovely and the food and service was excellent. I learnt a lot about my new housemates and literally everyone is so different but so lovely and as a group we've bonded so quickly.After dinner we decided to hit some of the local bars. We all just split the bill and so with the excess money that was left over from rounding up, we bought everyone a drink in the first bar, Spot 6! All squished into a booth we again had a massive chat and everyone got to know the people next to them.After there we headed to "Babez" although we had been warned just to be careful about the local prostitutes. However they didn't hassle us, apart from Dom a bit, and again we had a really good time. Smirnoff Ices are the drink of choice when your out out here, that or beer, they were 2,500Ush which is about 80p! We had such a funny time and eventually headed back to the Guest House. Joe and I got back first and got slightly over-excited by the magnetic letters on the fridge and with some light handywork managed to spell everyones name in the fridge, even the two people who had literally just arrived, and seemed lovely, Connor and Jenny from Bristol. We all chilled in the kitchen for a bit and then all got cups of tea and went and watched the rest of Mamma Mia. Eventually we all retired to bed.
Saturday - Day 5
Livy and I woke up around 8.45 and decided to go straight to breakfast in our pjs again. We were greeted by most of the rest of the house and eventually everybody and we all sat round talked about what was the plan for today, we all decided to chill for a bit and then go for a group shopping trip to get some communal items for the kitchen, as we had decided to all take it in turns to cook for everyone. We went to town on boda bodas, Joe was my trusty partner once again, and we ended up buying a crate of beer, wine and two nights worth of food; Joe's spaghetti carbonara, with me as sous chef for Sunday night and some sausages and chicken wings for a bbq on Monday. We then decided to head to Indulge for a smoothie and a sandwich. I had my classic smoothie - Naval Cadet which is mango, orange and lime and is truly one of the nicest things you've ever tasted. Livy and I shared a chicken and bacon sandwich as well. We had a chat over dinner about things we'd like to do over our month holiday which is around April 23rd and all decided that Safari, Goriila Trekking and somehow getting to Zanzibar (Island with stretches of white sand) were all high in our list of priorities. When we got back we all decided to sit on the grass and sunbathe and chill out as that evening we'd been invited to a local girl's graduation party. In Uganda graduation is a huge deal and they have massive parties to celebrate. On the grass Ollie brought out his guitar and we all had a sing-along, I think it was at this point it just struck me how amazing these next few months are going to be. Uganda really is a very special place and to experience it with such a fantastic group of people is incredible.The boys chucked a rugby ball about and the girls all read and chatted and then we had a group game of poker. At about half three we all decided to go and get ready as we were getting picked up at half four. I decided to wash any black clothes an underwear that needed doing before i got ready so I was slightly rushed for time. We all decided to get dressed up so I wore one of my trusty Ibiza maxi-dresses. When we all got in the truck, I was surprised at how smart the boys looked. They'd all made an effort in their chinos, shirts and ties. We arrived at the end of Mass in time for all the speeches which we'd been advised would last a couple of hours. In Uganda speeches are very popular and it was no exception with speeches lasting over four hours. We all took a couple of toilet breaks, but it was very repetitive! As the speeches were winding down, the food buffet opened so we took the chance to fill up while sampling local Ugandan food. I mainly just ate rice and sauce with some cabbage. You only get a tiny bit of meat, and chicken doesn't really excite me so I gave mine to Joe, who was most grateful to have some more meat. After the speeches the party started and all twelve of us literally danced the night away. Classic circle dancing took place and everyone really came out of their shell even more. The sleazy RnB is hilarious to dance too and everyone was just pissing themselves the entire time. It really was such a good night, Ollie summed it up for me when he was like "I just wake up in the morning with the smuggest grin on my face" because we all get on so well. It really is so weird to think that we've only known each other for a matter of hours. I feel really lucky to be a part of this.We left the graduation party around half twelve and got a lift to Sombreros, Jinja's most popular nightclub. We had to pay 5,000Ush to get in but once we got in I was surprised by how good it was. The music and atmosphere were really good and we all agreed this would be our regular night out spot.The music was pretty similar to the RnB room at tiger tiger and our circle dancing carried on. Around three we all got our boy girl boda bodas home mine and Joes broke down again, luckily it was near enough to walk back to the Guest House. Back at the guest everyone was still pretty hyper. We all went and chilled in mine and Livy's room so not to wake Annette.
- comments
Gran and Grandad we are back from south america, missing you a lot, but your blogs are fantastic. sounds like you are enjoying yourself and have met some great people. all ou love