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on Um Zayd wa Atheer (Uganda), 15/Jul/2010 18:32, 34 days ago
Returning to MasindiThe journey to Masindi was long and eventful. Ethiopian Airlines offers a basic, no frills service, specialising in poor luggage handling and non-communication. After stopping at Addis Abba the onward plane to Entebbe was declared to have mechanical problems. We were offered a switch to the Emirates flight and were glad to accept after hours of waiting. Our luggage, last seen at Heathrow, was not included in this deal and so we unknowingly parted company. Two hours of in flight luxury from Emirates temporarily lifted spirits before realising that a 24-hour wait and struggle awaited us at Entebbe. Eventually all was resolved and the door firmly closed on all thoughts of the return flight to the UK in 8 weeks time.I have been here two whole weeks now. The stories are unfolding, some not such good news. Earlier this week I was involved in a citizen's arrest, a shameful event for a drunk and his dishonoured family at a village burial. The local people thought I was an army officer, commanding authority whilst others stood and stared. Days later I am still cringing at the memory but it needed to be done. I know this family well and had to bring the horror to a swift end.The Masindi VSOs have been great in preparing the 'Little House' and meeting me off the Kampala bus. I have seen a steady flow of Miirya Project volunteers who have welcomed me back with great warmth. They have brought gifts of pineapple, paw paw, beans, maize, aubergines, eggs and mangoes. All greatly appreciated, especially knowing that they have so little to give. These gifts put catering off to a good start, at least until today when the gas cooker hosing caught fire. I think it is now mended but am feeling a little apprehensive. I feel tempted to buy a segiri, a clay or metal little stove fuelled by charcoal or wooden sticks. Alternatively I could put a pot on a circle of stones and light a fire underneath. This is what the local people use. It's a slow process for one pot at a time but has the advantage of not exploding.Once again the world outside of Masindi is closed to me. No news of events further afield accept for the World Cup. Ugandans love football and groaned along with you all at the exit of England. The few televisions in Masindi are mostly in bars so business must be booming. I had forgotten how noisy life is here and feel as if I have not slept well for weeks. Music often blares until the early hours and there is rarely a lull before my neighbour's 2 cockerels get into full throttle about 5. Throughout the night the large family of rats in the roof run up and down the rafters. Little can be done although I did bring some rat killer from home and this is placed in strategic corners, inside and out. I dread opening the verandah door each morning and finding a row of dead chickens.As they say here in Uganda 'The challenges, they are there'. I am glad that I have come back but realise more than ever some of these challenges are too great to overcome and that we are so blessed in so many ways.