'Muzungu' in Kampala

Week 1
Spent with other newly arrived VSOs at a training centre near Kampala. We were introduced to the delights of the local lingo (Luganda), taught how to pluck a chicken & how to avoid malaria, as well as other bits 'n' bobs. We were also taken to see an African dance (photos attached).

Have met lots of friendly Ugandans – particularly those who run the local bar which we descend on every night. The strangest thing is getting used to complete darkness falling at around 7pm & with no street lights anywhere, we are quite a sight with the bobbing beams of our head torches as we come down the hill!

Week 2
Kampala is hot, dusty & orange & roaming with goats & chickens; the 'roads' are full of pot-holes & cover-less, 5ft deep manholes - a scary prospect when riding the boda-bodas (motorcycle taxi) in the dark! At night, I can hear the chattering of the monkeys, occasionally the traffic & boom of the night clubs, & - as it's the rainy season at the moment - the frogs... I can now see what people mean by a 'frog chorus' - they go on croaking for hours!!

I have met my 6 colleagues & found out that we share our office with a local radio station next to the Mulago Hospital. Much of the week has been spent house-hunting though & we finally found a little bungalow in a compound close to work today. I'm hoping to put my hammock up in the garden.