Nile River Thrills

People travel from around the world to ride for a day on the Nile River ($75 - $125 US). The Nile changes elevations as it runs from Uganda, its source, to Egypt; as a result there are rapids. Some of the falls and rapids are now under water due to the completion of the Owen Falls dam and more may disappear with the construction of the new Bujagali Dam. For now, there are spills and thrills available to the hardy and brave. About an hour's travel from Jinja is the end point of most rafting companies, a short portage around Itanda Falls and then one final set of rapids. After 36km on the water, the rafters must be tired but the last set of rapids are the finale. The scenery is spectacular, but the road to Itanda Falls is not well marked, so a challenge to locate but worth the 1 hour trip out of Jinja, especially if you can watch the end of a rafting group. Fortunately, the rafting companies hire people to retrieve those who end up swimming in the Nile.

A Busy Month

It has been awhile since I added to this blog - we've been busy, the internet is up and down and the power is on and off. That is usual for this part of the world.

We visited the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Monday. It is located on an island in Lake Victoria and takes 1 1/2 hours to get there by traditional boat. The chimps are injured or orphans that have been discovered in the wild and are transported to one of the sanctuaries located in the country, treated and then kept safe from poachers and disease. They keep 40 on the island for tourists to observe and to preserve animals on the brink of extinction. We watched them eat, play and socialize. They even have a social structure with a president and his body guards. The villagers on the island were relocated so that the sanctuary could be developed.

Our P-Day two weeks ago was a trip to the Kakira Sugar Factory located about 15 minutes east of Bugembe. The factory has been operated in the area by the Madhvani Group, an Indian company, since 1920. When the Asians were expelled from Uganda during the 'reign' of Idi Amin, the government took over the sugar industry but were unable to operate it successfully. The original owners were invited back in 1985 to resurrect the industry which provides employment for workers in the sugarcane fields and factory. There are villages located all through the area to house the employees as the consortium owns alot of the land in the area.

I continue to marvel at the resourcefulness of the the women as they cook outside. The cake that was made for the Relief Society Social was made outside and cooked over the charcoal 'stove'. It was an orange cake and delicious. I don't know how they know when to put the pot over the coals, but they do - I have problems controlling the heat in my gas oven!

Oil Changes and Taxis

The taxis often have sayings on the back windows. Every once in awhile the message is priceless as you can tell by the picture taken on our way out of Kampala. We had just attended a joint zone meeting with Elder Renlund and his wife when I spotted the saying in front of us. Due to the usual traffic jam, the taxi was at a standstill like everyone else.

At home it is so easy to get an oil change, just drive in, wait for 15 minutes, drive away with an oil change and lube job. Not so here, after two days, a broken part, oil in our cooling system and a nonfunctioning vehicle, we learned a hard lesson. The lesson is, 'try not to get an oil change anywhere but a dealership or you are in big trouble.' Our Nissan dealer is in Kampala. On the road again!

Family Home Evening and Farewells

Sunday February 28 was the zone family home evening which is held the last Sunday before transfers occur. We decided to have it in our home as it is more intimate and I could cook a meal. We had been reminded that the last FHE before we arrived, all they had to eat was pineapple and cookies (great sighs). So, it was spaghetti, garlic bread, marinated cucumber salad, potato salad (South African style) and blonde brownies. For our next meal I will make sure to serve some rice, just fresh bread, and no fancy salads. Serving and cooking food for two different cultures at the same time can be a bit of a challenge at times.

On Wednesday we had the opportunity to pick up and transport 4 departing missionaries from the Bugembe Branch. Imagine 4 from a Branch of 100 all entering the MTC at the same time. We listened to their testimonies on Sunday in Sacrament meeting as well as two other young men who will leave in 2 weeks. President Moses Mbiro is known for the number of missionaries who leave from his small branch. He was there to say good-bye as were some of the branch members and friends.

Another First

Lake Mburo National Park is located approximately 4 hours west of Kampala. It is a wilderness park and home of several animals I had never seen before. We stayed at the Mihingo Lodge just outside of the park gates. What can one say about the most novel and unique accomodation we have ever encountered. Perched on a hill overlooking a waterhole, solar heated water and electricity, gourmet meals and we slept in a canvas sided tree house - we hope we will be able to return again! The roads are dirt, winding and not particularly well mantained but the animals roam on the road, at the side, in the trees or the lake. We saw zebra, topi, warthogs, impala, eland, Ugandan cranes, hippos, crocodiles and birds. It was peaceful, beautiful and not busy at all. The hardest part was getting there by car and back - Indianapolis 500 driving but worth it.

Bujagali Falls and Dinner Guests

We have decided to invite some of the various District Leaders to have a meal with us in order to get to know them better. On Saturday evening we invited District President Gava, his wife and two little daughters to dinner. As I am not sure what food they like other than what we have experienced in the last month, the menu was a variety of food we enjoy. I served Bacon Potato Choweder, Rice and Coconut Curry Chicken, a vegetable salad, home made rolls and Queen Elizabeth Cake with ice cream. Recipes were requested so the meal was a success. I enjoyed holding the baby Vadrian and 5 year old Vilenta had a beautiful hairdo done by her Mom. It had been very hot and our visitors commented on how the weather is hotter than usual - up to 36C on Saturday.

Monday was P day and Zone Activity Day as well. We started off the morning on African time as we waited for the hired taxi to pick up the Shipleys and the 4 missionary sisters at the Jinja chapel. The Elders were 45 minutes late and Sister Zimondi won the extra cookie as she guessed their correct arrival time. We took the car as the taxi was too crowded and looked like it was on its last legs.

The drive to Bujagali Falls takes about 20 minutes on typical roads, very dusty and lots of potholes. When we arrived at the entrance gate, the white faces were immediately recognized as a source of revenue so Sister Wamalwa took over and the price was reduced to a reasonable amount. We stayed at the falls for about 2 hours as the taxi had developed a flat tire and had no usable spare - but it was peaceful, beautiful and quite cool near the water. There were 17 of us there so everyone appreciated the chocolate chip cookies and chocolate banana muffins (my oven has been busy). The highlight of the morning was when a young man provided us with 'entertainment' by riding through the rapids clutching a yellow water container for the grand total of 5000 shillings ($2.50). It's a hard way to make a living but there are a few at the falls who approach the tourists so they can 'entertain'.

Hot Again

I guess I lied, the weather is back to hot, hot, hot! The fans are on in our home all the time. As Elder Shipley was out and about doing church business I did more baking. The Sisters are quite happy to be my guinea pigs - last night it was Naan bread and today white bread and chocolate banana muffins. I think I have finally figured out the oven. Now if I could just figure out how to get rid of the ants in the kitchen... We had several missionaries at the house today for meetings and to be fed whatever has been baked. We did get the opportunity to teach a lesson to a member preparing to go to the temple and will be able to visit with her again to make sure she is well prepared for the experience. She sent us home with the first sweet orange we have tasted since arriving; most taste like a lemon and look like a lime.