LONG, LONG, LONG TIME

Hey all, been quite a while since I wrote down my thoughts in this forum. Actually, the thing is that my life hasn't been that rosy, things just seem to be going wrong. Anything that could go wrong, went wrong and there is nothing I could have done to salvage the situation. I could be doing something wrong, terribly wrong.

But that is a story in the past and I do not dwell on the past.

We I took a deserved break last week to visit Uganda. Needed the time alone to just go relax, refresh, rethink my options and basically just REORGANIZE! And reorganize I did. Ok, day one was ok, left Friday p.m. aboard Air Uganda (till last week I didn't even know they existed, but the gamble paid off). The flight was smooth, no incidents but I was kinda disappointed that they only served sandwiches. No option of a vegetarian meal. Sorry, the option was to take water or soda or juice (packed, and made in Kenya but I'm not mentioning names). Flight took an hour, just like going to Kisumu on KQ.

Surprise surprise, Entebbe airport has grown, shame on JKIA. Last time I was there I thought we'd been flown to Kisumu! But now, I'm embarassed to have an international airport that we call Jomo Kenyatta. I'm sure the all knowing will say the EBB airport has been build with help from the Israel Government, so what! We pay enough taxes to do a better job than that. We have a bigger uglier airport, but please don't ask what I'm doing about it. We pay for services to be provided and later cry foul when our money is misused on nothing at all. Ni sawa tu.

My drive from the airport was uneventful, I must have looked ridiculous through ooohhing and aaahhing about the state of their roads, paved, pothole-free, manicured grass, it was just lovely. Passaris would grab every bit of free space for her advertisements. The country is so green, even though kinda warm compared to the freezing temperatures in Nairobi now. Banana trees??? everywhere, taxis (matatus) and bodabodas (my buddy dint notice they were all the same color until I mentioned it to her).

Just a kilometre or so from the airport we stopped for dinner. Nice place and the food was great (the chicken was nicely done). All I can say is that Ugandans are generous with their potions. From there went home to sleep as it was well past 11 pm.

Woke up early (11am) the next day, prepared and had breakfast then went to the Beach. One of the loveliest, coolest, unpolluted beaches I've seen in ages. Those guys know how to preserve their stuff. Unlike Kenya where if you happen on a beach you cannot even find place to stand, in Uganda they have space, space and more space, you could actually somersault, roll on the beach, skip, dance 'naked' or do whatever, its was just lovely. No beachboys too. And Ugandans are so polite it hurts. 'How are you madam?'. 'What will you have madam?'. 'I will do so madam'. Imagine even women old enough to be my mom calling me 'madam'. I wish we could emulate just a potion of this kindness. From the security guard at home to the small kid wondering if a 'blakaberi' (blackberry) is a phone or a calculator and go ahead and have a heated discussion about the phone until you come to the rescue then they thank you and continue with their playing. Imagine sitting in a hotel having your lunch, or whatever meal and residents just pass through like its nothing big, where in Kenya would you get an open hotel where anyone can just walk in and out without having to be thrown out coz you are not a paying patron or you do not look like you can afford a square meal there. I was impressed.

After relaxing, went back home, showered and changed, relaxed a bit then left for Kampala, some 40 kilometres away. Took about 30 minutes. Went to the mall, (Called Garden City), and you should have seen the glow on my face when I saw Uchumi Supermarkets! So big, so spacious, so fully stocked, selling SEATS! Goodness gracious. I bought a Nation Newspaper (at 7pm). There was no Standard Newspaper, shame. Took the ramp to 3rd floor (they have lifts that they do not use, and yes, they work). I actually watched a movie.

After the movie we decided to go dancing. I remember the street where the clubs are from ages ago, hasnt changed much. We go to Silk Lounge (a real lounge). On entering, there's a barrier for those going in and those going out. In a corridor getting into the club? Please! Anyway, payed 20k for entry, ha ha. On entering the 'lounge' I cant help but marvel at the creativity of this guys, leather seats, different colors, lovely couches, OMG, I just sink into one but I have to move as the damn AC is on. We are the only ones here, and its at 11pm. I know in Kenya on weekends people start trotting into clubs from as early as 1pm. I politely ask the waiter to turn off the AC but he says it would not be allowed coz when the patrons walk in and start smoking, the place will stink like crazy. Too bad smoking in UG is not banned in public places.

I actually order for a pot of tea. In a club! Well, how else was I going to keep warm with the AC at a -ve temperature. Well, the lounge starts getting full at around half past midnight. And did I mention i was in jeans and a heavy sweater? Well, I happened to be overdressed. These guys do dress for the occassion. Nice tiny fitting outfits, clutch purses, very very high heeled shoes, the men are in ties are 1am in the morning, beats logic. I was damn impressed. My problem was with some two pregnant gals who just looked ridiculous in their tight tops with hanging bellies, I felt so bad especially when they started drinking and dancing (if swaying from side to side with a protruding belly is dancing). I couldn't say a thing.

The DJ was the most annoyed guy, he kept interrupting music and announcing events happening in Kampala next weekend, who will be where, and no one seemed to mind at all! Well maybe its the way they do things there so I just played along. Danced kidogo, to keep the cold away, and it did not help. At around 3 am a cake was brought and apparently it was one gal's birthday and the music stopped, she was sang for the birthday song, she cut the cake, served her friends while the rest watched and wished, then the music continued.

Anyway, left the city at around 3am when life was beginning to happen. I was exhausted. Outside there were as many people waiting to come in as there were inside. And there was a sign outside too 'HOUSE FULL'. It was great though, all was fine.

Reached home so exhausted and went straight to bed, waiting for another long day tomorrow, Sunday.