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on Um Zayd wa Atheer (Uganda), 31/Dec/2008 12:20, 34 days ago
Masindi to Rugby. A Long Way HomeAfter 2 frantic days of packing, storing, returning and giving things away my remaining luggage and I were ready to start the journey home. My 2 holdalls felt lighter and looked diminished. Would that describe me too? There had not been too much time for reflection as I worked right up until the end. Leaving the house and Godfrey had not been difficult but my colleagues in the Community Department and the village volunteers had been another matter. We had become close.Fortunately I had a companion from Masindi to Heathrow, as another volunteer, Sue was booked on the same flight. Another volunteer was also having a lift in the taxi as far as Kampala. Just 2 weeks before Christmas it seemed a good time to produce a CD of carols from Kings College, Cambridge. Moses our driver didn't exactly join in but he smiled as his 3 passengers sang along. It suddenly struck me as being a bit bizarre. Inside a chorus of Away in the Manger and a closer look would have shown one of the singers knitting a teddy bear. Outside the bush of rural Africa with a ragged herdsman and his long horned cattle negotiating the hot dusty road.Four hours later we were outside the VSO office. Expenses had to be settled, Interpol visited, and I had a meeting with my Programme Manager. It is now policy that all departing volunteers have their finger prints taken before they leave the country which are used to verify that there has been no criminality. With clean and clear consciences we stepped boldly forward, filled in the paperwork and rolled our fingers into the ink. The clerk was rough and bossy but it seemed best to obey orders. No photographs so stand against the door and have mug shots taken. My shirt was disapproved of, too revealing and a hand leapt forward to button it up to the chin. By then I had the giggles. Out of the blue we were told the clerk was from Masindi and so I tried a Runyuro greeting. At last, she was able to offer a smile and some helpfulness.We now had 24 hours in Kampala to visit friends. Apart from the taxi driver being stopped by the police for a traffic offence it was uneventful. On Saturday night there was a gathering of about 30 volunteers. We enjoyed mulled wine, more Christmas carols, party fayre and Scottish bagpipes. Sue and I left at 9pm for the drive to Entebbe and an overnight stay in preparation for the early morning flight. Sue and Mamma Mia were good company on the journey and at last at Heathrow I saw the boys and Andrea. That was another precious moment.