Today we woke up a bit late (to catch up on jetlag), we had a nice breakfast again and blended a fruit drink.  The fruit here is TO DIE FOR- I thought that mangos in Jamaica and Brazil were good, but literally like heaven here.  We then left to go to a meeting of the Ugandan National Committee of the United World College.  It was really fun to meet so many Ugandans who had a shared experience of the two years at international boarding school.  I also contacted one of my UWC co-years who is interning here in Kampala and she came to the meeting.  It was so fun to be surrounded by friends!  My host had to leave for a family dinner and she had me go off with my other classmate. We took a long trip to her hostel (American / European central) and now I’m here!  It is such a weird experience to be in Uganda sitting on a computer and being surrounded by white people.  The last couple of days here I’ve only seen one or two westerners-  I can’t help but compare our experiences.  It is such a different way to see a country as a tourist.  You do not go to the crazy congested areas, you hear way too few foreign words, and, I believe, the “us” vs. “them” mentality is too prevalent as you see the locals strictly as people who assist you or are different.  That said, I’m glad I get the experience this one night in the Western-style hostel because I’ve gotten to meet very interesting like minded people and discuss our views of the location as outsiders.  

Now for the Boda Bodas.  This is the local way of calling motorcycle taxis.  Which are the most convenient way to get around town, but also the scariest.  The weave in and out of the traffic jams, go incredible fast, and are pretty old and rickety.  Not to mention the utter lack of helmets, or any protection for that matter.  My host prefers that I not take them - so we’ve been taking public transport, but now that I’m with my other classmate we took a long 30-45 minute ride here.  I explained to my friend when we got off that riding the Boda Boda is more frightening than when I was on the largest rollercoaster in the world, or bungee jumping, or anything else- because with all of those you are assured that you will not die, and if you do- there is somebody to sue!  Unfortunately Boda Bodas like to rip off foreigners- however, we’ve developed a system in which our local friends will bargain in the local language of Luganda and get us the lowest price possible.  The 45 min ride we just took cost $3.50 for three riders on two bikes.  Welcome to Uganda! 

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