Day Two

I went out on the town today with my dad. Woke up around one (still jet lagging, its 2:00 am as I type this) and went straight for my dad's office, located at the top of one of Kampala's many hills. Everyone seems to be really friendly so far. Welcoming me to the country and the city, received quite a few compliments since I landed even though I felt like I looked shitty. I must admit, its a nice change from the fast aggression of New York and the constant complaints of New Jersey. I have yet to get used to it, just as with the fact that they drive on the left side of the road, the steering wheel on the right half of the car. And that a US dollar is 2,500 Ugandan shillings. But these are minute changes, changes that I'll surely get adjusted to.

We then visited Hala at SIHA (Strategic Initiative for women in the Horn of Africa) which is the main organization & person I'll be working with. She is a wonderful woman. She welcomed me with open arms in Arabic, saying that I will learn a few things under her supervision. I followed for a majority of what she was saying. My Arabic is rusty but I understand it alright. The office is also located at the top of a hill; might I add that Kampala is full of hills. It overlooks the city and the view from her patio was astonishing. But I didn't come all the way over here to do office work. She suggested a number of options for me to get in the field. I have quite a few choices but we decided that I'll do office work for a few days just to catch up with the program and then by the weekend, get out and put some real work in.

They'll most likely have me blogging or doing some social media related work. Which isn't a problem. I learn best hands on anyhow.

I got to take a lot of photos today. It's really beautiful. The hills, the greenery, the plant life. The animal life. I almost forgot to mention how I was awaken by a rooster this morning. The air smells pure, none of that pollution shit. I feel at ease with the environment.

We went to eat at this cafe which reminded me of an African Panera Bread and visited a gift shop. There were quite a few Caucasian families dining in the cafe. My dad said that's to be expected. A lot of European and American humanitarians and activists come here for work. On top of that, Uganda, well Kampala at least, is a very religiously diverse city as well. "You may find a family here where one brother is Muslim and one is Christian."

 The streets here are intense. At rush hour, traffic is crazy. I'm talkin about, you thought New York was bad...The bouda-bouda (motorcycle taxis) drivers have no regard for the flow of traffic and cut through the sides and drive on opposite sides of the road. I've seen quite a few policemen, but they must have bigger issues than controlling traffic. The roads themselves are underdeveloped, tight, and filled with potholes. 

I have another day off tomorrow to meet with more people that I'll be working with and complete the work I have to finish for my people back in the US. Is it the weekend yet? I'm ready for the hands-on work. Put me in the field!

- Peace and blessings. Be back soon.

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