Hi Friends!
Let me share with you a weekend of solo travel in Uganda from Kampala to Gulu after dropping a fellow squad mate off at the airport (Month 7-July)
So we got to Kampala on a Friday after a 5+ hour bus ride. We spent a few hours at the mall waiting to head to the airport.
We ordered an Uber to bring us to the airport- wasn’t the best time. Traffic picked up a lot but after an hour and driving all over the place to find the best route, we made it to the airport.
Our Uber driver spoke English and was super helpful and friendly. He even carried her bag to the departure door and decided to stay and drive me to the hotel I was staying at.
We made arrangements for him to pick me up in the morning and drive me to the bus station to head back home on Saturday. I am thankful I had him to get me through the bus station craziness.
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So the bus stations in Kampala were crazy. Right when you pull into the station in a car, people start coming up trying to get you to travel with their company. They will even try to open up the car doors and reach through the windows. It can be overwhelming but they are fighting for business so it makes sense.
The Uber driver parked his car and got out with me to guide me to the correct area and basically be my body guard. He would push people away and be stern with them.
We finally made it to the bus company I had a ticket for to get me back to my ministry site near Gulu.
The bus was scheduled to leave at 10:30am but didn’t leave until closer to 1. I guess that is how things work. They wait until the bus fills up even if that means leaving hours after the scheduled time.
While waiting for over 2 hours, people selling stuff would come off and on the bus in hopes you would buy something from them. They sell stuff from snacks and sodas to electronics, socks, shoes, scarfs etc. They don’t just walk by but they put the items in your face even if you try to look the other way.
I hate ignoring people but I almost had to so I wouldn’t continuously get stuff put in front of my face. I put my headphones in and looked out the window which worked for a while.
*Oh but I did buy a fruit plate which was refreshing and yummy! It included Jack Fruit
Then sits my new friend Stephen. He was in his 20s and was heading back to his family after being in the city for school for a month
We talked for a bit but then we both decided to nap for some of the time.
The rest of the way got more interesting
During the bus rides, there are usually stops along the way where people outside try to sell things through the window. This is actually awesome because I usually always want/need a snack or drink.
Stephen bought a grilled corn (my favorite snack) and actually split and shared it with me. How nice. This is the hospitality and generosity we saw a lot in Africa. Imagine if we lived in a world that naturally shares with each other.
So besides the common fruit, veggies and drinks they sell through the windows, they also sell live chickens. They tie their feet and hold them upside down. It seems to keep them calm or something. People actually bought chickens through the bus windows. The chickens either sat on the laps or they would put the chickens underneath with our luggage. Definitely a sight to see. (I have video footage of this which I will post at some point)
woman selling fruit
I also sat across from a baby who wasn’t scared of me and smiled back-most babies at this point took some time to warm up to “foreigners” aka white people. This baby had corn as well and would “cheers” it with us. I then reached over and grabbed the baby and sat her on my lap. This would not even be a thing in the states but that’s what I love about Africa-you can just go up to someone and take their baby to hold and it’s totally acceptable.
Along the route on our way home we also passed by tons of monkeys-baboons specifically. They were just chillen on the side of the road or running back and forth hoping to get some food possibly. Either way, super cool to see them up close like that.
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So then I finally get to the bus station in Gulu, a little town close to the village I was staying in that month.
It was later than expected so my ride was no longer there and they couldn’t come get me since it was about to rain and the road to our village is hard to take when its rainy.
I ended up staying in this hostel I have been to before to work and get wifi at.
This ended up being an amazing blessing because I ran into a friend I had seen there before who then introduced me to John Pipes and Megan who work for International Messengers. They invited me to church with them the next day at their ministry site.
I got the ok and was able to go. Wow what a special day!
I got to spend time with the kids who were parentless refugees who now live on this compound.
The tin houses that GoServ Global build in different countries
Other volunteers visited and brought the girls dresses made by an organization in the US
We had church and it was bright, energetic, fun, welcoming and full of joy. They also had me tell my testimony which I was grateful to do so.
They then invited me to eat lunch with them witch was super tasty and filling.
I got to meet volunteers who were there working with GoServ Global helping build a new church building.
So many great conversations were add and great connections were made
That night they also invited me to a catered dinner back at the hostel. How blessed was I.
ok not the best photo but the only one we got
I finally ended up back at my ministry site Monday morning after being picked up by our driver.
I just love how God works everything out for the good.
The chaos was part of the experience and because the bus left late, I got in late which made me stay the night in the hostel to then run into a friend which created the opportunity for me to spend the day with all of them Sunday, able to see a different organization and make new connections. His timing is perfect-we just have to look at circumstances and situations in a different light and perspective sometimes.
So I just wanted to share this crazy but amazing travel experience with you!
Thanks for reading!
Love ya
Kristen
