Twists and turns
on Um Zayd wa Atheer (Uganda), 25/Apr/2009 18:28, 34 days ago
Living in Masindi is tough, honestly. But as of this moment it's gorgeous. It's 5.45 pm and I'm sat on the lawns outside the Kolping Hotel, Masindi, sipping a nice cold lager. The sun is still bright and there is welcome shade from an old spreading jacaranda tree. I'm also feeling a bit smug. This lunch time I came back from Kampala, proudly clutching my motorcycle licence and feeling some affinity with my shiny new bike. I think we are beginning to bond, just a little. The bike has yet to be delivered to Masindi on the back of a pick up truck. It's not a Harley Davidson but it will be admired.Achieving the licence was not without complications and its own twists and turns. Six volunteers from across Uganda took part in the training and only 4 were asked to take the 'test', myself excluded. After 2 mornings of driving around a dirt track the instructor had declared me 'fit' for the road. Whether he was right or wrong I didn't argue. The 4 candidates were told that the police were strict and naturally felt apprehensive but there was no need. During the 'test' a bike wasn't sat on. There was an offer of marriage and a bid for a biking jacket. Despite all offers being declined the pass forms were still signed, justifiably too!! All had taken the training seriously and we had worked hard. One way or another were all now licenced to drive.Tomorrow, Sunday, I shall be down to earth again. I'm going north to take part in a mass polio vaccination day. Six children recently died and Uganda with the help of the WHO is responding well. They are looking to immunise every child. Finding them in itself is a massive job.As I have said, hotel life continues here. It was a relief to return to Masindi after my experiences in Kampala. VSO booked 6 volunteers into the impressivley named La Grande Chez Johnson. It is neither cheap nor cheerful. In no particular order it has building work on 2 sides, is on a busy road above a bar and restaurant and so is very noisy, water supply varied from nothing to a cold trickle, there were massive holes in the mosquito net, the breakfast was paltry with yet more eggs and the pair of bathroom flip flops consisted of a size 5 blue left foot and a size 8 red right foot. The last straw came when a pair of trousers that I sent to the laundry 'disappeared' for 24 hours. They eventually turned up at Madame Manager's house and returned to the hotel in a sorry state, minus a button and with burnt red label marks generously spread down both legs. If you are ever in Kampala I suggest you turn down any offers of accomodation at LGCJ hotel. Don't be impressed with it's name. Johnson, who ever he is, should be ashamed of himself.