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Friday, July 24, 2009

Murchison Falls





We just returned from our African safari. It was absolutely amazing. We drove to Murchison Falls national park and stayed at the Red Chili campsite. We slept in a nice tent for the two nights we were there. The tent was a step up from our usual homestead so we really enjoyed sleeping in style.

There were warthogs and hippos outside the tents which was fun. We went on a game drive in a safari van. We just crawled on top of the roof and drove the the African savanna. It was absolutely beautiful. We saw hippos, elephants, gazelles, water buffalo, giraffes, hundreds of birds, and a pack of lions eating a wart hog. We were within 20 feet of all of the animals just chilling on the roof of the car. It was spectacular.

We then took a boat cruise up the Nile. We saw hundreds of hippos, elephants, buffalo and enormous Nile crocodiles. The Nile is absolutely beautiful. The boat dropped us off on an very small island (more like a rock) at the bottom of Murchison Falls. It is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. The entire Nile blasts through a narrow steep gorge (15 feet across). We took plenty of pictures and returned back to camp.

The next day we took a hike to the top of the falls. We'll have to show you the pictures. It's hard to explain, but we were right on top of the waterfall looking down into the froth of water, dead fish, and crocodiles. It was awesome.

We are now in Kampala grabbing a bite to eat. We were hoping to go to the football match tomorrow. It was supposed to be Brazil vs. Uganda for only a couple bucks. We were really hoping to get to go, but alas it was actually today. \for some reason the wrong day came down the Ugandan grapevine. Oh well.

At any rate our trip is sadly coming to a quick close. We have grown to love Uganda and are sad to leave.
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1 comment:

  1. ashleighJuly 27, 2009 at 8:05 AM

    It's starting to sound like you guys are making all of this up. ;)

    ReplyDelete

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Town Center

Town Center
This is the center of Lugazi. The top left office is the "Youth Outreach Program" It consists of about 15 ugandan college students. They were born in Lugazi, and were able to earn enough money to go to college in Kampala. They have decided to return to Lugazi and build up the community by starting a non-profit group that focuses on orphans, street children, and widows. They are an amazing group of people. I want to be more like them. I am currently working closely with them to write a business plan, and letters to governmental agencies and NGO's to help them raise enough funds for their projects. It's amazing how a little money can do so much good. We are hoping to raise $5,000 to build a carpentry shop and bakery to teach the children viable skills. I hope I can help them succeed.

Village Hut

Village Hut
Mandy went into the rural jungle villages to deliver baby kits to new mothers. Entire families live in this small huts. Sometimes 10+ people per hut.

Our Room

Our Room
After sewing several mosquito nets together we managed to cocoon our bed in the safety of mesh. We sleep comfortably and the geckos, spiders and roaches thankfully stay on the floor and the walls.

Not Exactly the Marriott but it's Home Sweet Home

Not Exactly the Marriott but it's Home Sweet Home
This is our room in the back of the main house. We are the middle door. The left door is the charcoal room, the right door is Sam's room, our day time guard

The Well

The Well
This is where we get our water. (Drinking water comes from a bottling company) We use this water to clean, shower, laundry and dishes. We add bleach and soap to kill the algae

My Best Invention So Far

My Best Invention So Far
I managed to rig a spout to a jerry can and attach a tube to the end. There were a few bricks lying around which makes for a perfect stand and "tiled floor". Now we can stand up, shower, and rinse. Who needs indoor plumbing?

Our walk home

Our walk home
We walk this street everyday to get home. The children run out of their houses, yelling and laughing.; They grab your arms and hug your legs. They have nothing, but are so happy. I want to take them all home.

Boda Driver Wanna Be

Boda Driver Wanna Be
These are the "Boda Boda" Taxis. We pile on 1, 2, 3, maybe 4 people. I have seen 4 people and 2 chairs strapped to the back going down the highway. Classic

This is a typical store front.

This is a typical store front.
Businesses here are extremely small. Most of them sell the same things and have way too much inventory. I am teaching a series of business classes to various groups to help them with book keeping and inventory management.

Mandy Sleeping in the Airport Next to Her Friend Ronald

Mandy Sleeping in the Airport Next to Her Friend Ronald
Fortunately we were able to catch some shut eye in the Amsterdam airport. Mandy was able to fall asleep knowing that she was being watched by the family guardian

Mandy In Amsterdam

Mandy In Amsterdam
On our flight over here we were able to spend a day in Amsterdam. Neither of us had ever been there so it was fun to figure things out. Here we are in the subway station heading out into the city. I love subways