A lovely day for Ian got off to a very bad start!
on Ian Smith (Uganda), 03/Mar/2010 19:48, 34 days ago
We were warned to be on the lookout for pick-pockets when using the minibus taxis in Kampala. This morning, (Ian) having been warmly greeted and offered a prize seat up front was told after 600 metres that I was on the 'wrong' bus and I'd have to get off and get another - so after scrambling out I discovered my pocket had been picked clean of loose change and bank notes - fortunately the wallet was in the rucksack that was clutched safely on my lap.A bit of blow to start the day - still, within 10 minutes, Abdul, a 'special hire' driver (saloon car taxi that you have to yourself) was taking me to work via an ATM to replenish stocks of the folding stuff. As it turned out Abdul forgot to go via an ATM and dropped me at work assuring me that it'd be OK to settle up next time I booked a ride. Things definitely looking up!Once at work (my third day) I felt - and was - really included in an excellent problem solving discussion in which we focused on the problem of having to arrange a public consultation event 200 miles away without a sufficient budget to do the work - we came up with several options (including saying: "No - without the resources we can't do it!"). Pleased with ourselves, we went off for lunch together. I had stewed beans to die for with chappati and spinach.Back at the office we all tackled a budget setting exercise together with writing a justification for why we need the money (for a funding bid to US AID to establish a proper office for the MARPs Network - the organisation I'm working for). Again we're all chuffed by how much we've enjoyed working together on the task.Now, at the end of the day, I had to go to an ATM to get cash - so Sam, one of my colleagues, offered to walk into the City Centre with me to find a VISA ATM. The route that Sam chose took us right through the minibus taxi parks and market areas - absolutely heaving - and I can't recall seeing another white face. I felt a little keyed up by this but needn't have worried - most people didn't look twice and those that did make eye contact had a twinkle or a smile for me. Wow! The walk was about two miles in length through the very busy evening rush hour crowds and up and down the very hilly Kampala streets in the warm evening sun. My senses were (mostly pleasantly) assaulted by unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells - probably soon to become everyday experiences.At the end of the walk with more cash in my pocket and having waved farewell to Sam I sank into a chair in a cafe and waited for Renate and Abdul. I had a smile on my face and a freshly blended and ice cold water melon juice drink in my hand. I had that lovely knackered feeling!