Finding Home
After a few hours of sleep at the hotel, we grabbed breakfast and headed on our way to Jinja. It took a while to find tranportation but at last we found a cab that could take my baggage, Amanda, Olive, and I. Our cab driver was so great, I have been lucky to have good traveling companions the whole journey through. Making friends on all of my flights with some really fantastic people. I was glad to have some commpany as this was my first long trip that I have taken alone.
Jinja is the same old busy city that I remember. Constant noise and traffic pushing its way through. I have to trust the transportation more because I have a hard time being a passanger in the states and this is soooo much worse. In the last 48 hours I will have traveled by rail car, plane, bus, car, boada boada (this is the motor bike taxi), and boat.
In Jinja we hurry through our list of things to do so that we can make our boat in time there is only one boat that leaves to our island each day. Internet, banking, and paper work must get done to day as I will not be back for a while.
Finally we make it to the docks. So transport on the boat is so crazy. The public boat is the worst to take because it is always full and makes for a very uncomfortable ride. The islands also require me placing on a skirt as they are more strict and a women in trousers is unexceptable and many may even think you to be cheap (imagine what they would think of our hot pants and mini skirts). Placing my skirt over my trousers I wait to be loaded onto the boat after all of the shipments, and baggage has found its way on. Getting on the boat is just another piece of this odd transport to the islands you must be carried on and off the boat by a kenyama (which means strong man). The water is not safe and is known for causing infection/disease for those who are not immune. Making it on the boat I am set to ride on a bag of salt, flour, and sugar. I have to say that this is one of the more comfortable items to have been placed on. I was even able to sleep for some of the ride. Two hours, my long journey has come down to this I am heading what will be home. Home....In Africa. On an island.
When we approach the shore all I can hear is the sound of the children calling my name from the shore. Jeska is more the sound of it. I dont think there is a place in the world were you would get a warmer welcome. Getting carried off the boat the children surround me hugging me laughing and repeating my name. This is what I came for, the faces I love. Everything leading up to this was for this moment.
The rest of this week I have been able to get adjusted and have been greatfull for the time to get to know all the new faces and settle into my room. It will take some time to adjust still but I have been warmly welcomed into the community that I will live with. They created a big dinner the night I arrived an flowers were placed everywere in my room. Its really amazing to be surrounded by warmth after such a long journey.
Roomate??? So I thought I had a room to myself. You know the room right by the tree were the cobra lives... YIKES! But it seems that some one wanted to share my room also. Going to bed the other night I pulled down the sheets before turning my latern off and was greeted with company, a gecko had found its way to my bed were it layed spread out in the center. You would think that me choosing to go to Africa would mean that I was brave or at least not afraid of some small lizard. But now I couldnt handle it. Waking Amanda I made her come and assist me in moving him out. With a good try we kicked him off my bed but could not find were he got to. So I talked myself into sleeping figuring he would eventially find its way out. I was not disturbed again untill the next day in the afternoon when I was sleeping. He crawled his way back up. This time he would be out. Can I just say that even African men are not as brave as I would once think because they too wouldnt touch it but maybe just to humor them it left.
If home is were you make it, than let it be said that a week is nothing but a good begining.
After a few hours of sleep at the hotel, we grabbed breakfast and headed on our way to Jinja. It took a while to find tranportation but at last we found a cab that could take my baggage, Amanda, Olive, and I. Our cab driver was so great, I have been lucky to have good traveling companions the whole journey through. Making friends on all of my flights with some really fantastic people. I was glad to have some commpany as this was my first long trip that I have taken alone.
Jinja is the same old busy city that I remember. Constant noise and traffic pushing its way through. I have to trust the transportation more because I have a hard time being a passanger in the states and this is soooo much worse. In the last 48 hours I will have traveled by rail car, plane, bus, car, boada boada (this is the motor bike taxi), and boat.
In Jinja we hurry through our list of things to do so that we can make our boat in time there is only one boat that leaves to our island each day. Internet, banking, and paper work must get done to day as I will not be back for a while.
Finally we make it to the docks. So transport on the boat is so crazy. The public boat is the worst to take because it is always full and makes for a very uncomfortable ride. The islands also require me placing on a skirt as they are more strict and a women in trousers is unexceptable and many may even think you to be cheap (imagine what they would think of our hot pants and mini skirts). Placing my skirt over my trousers I wait to be loaded onto the boat after all of the shipments, and baggage has found its way on. Getting on the boat is just another piece of this odd transport to the islands you must be carried on and off the boat by a kenyama (which means strong man). The water is not safe and is known for causing infection/disease for those who are not immune. Making it on the boat I am set to ride on a bag of salt, flour, and sugar. I have to say that this is one of the more comfortable items to have been placed on. I was even able to sleep for some of the ride. Two hours, my long journey has come down to this I am heading what will be home. Home....In Africa. On an island.
When we approach the shore all I can hear is the sound of the children calling my name from the shore. Jeska is more the sound of it. I dont think there is a place in the world were you would get a warmer welcome. Getting carried off the boat the children surround me hugging me laughing and repeating my name. This is what I came for, the faces I love. Everything leading up to this was for this moment.
The rest of this week I have been able to get adjusted and have been greatfull for the time to get to know all the new faces and settle into my room. It will take some time to adjust still but I have been warmly welcomed into the community that I will live with. They created a big dinner the night I arrived an flowers were placed everywere in my room. Its really amazing to be surrounded by warmth after such a long journey.
Roomate??? So I thought I had a room to myself. You know the room right by the tree were the cobra lives... YIKES! But it seems that some one wanted to share my room also. Going to bed the other night I pulled down the sheets before turning my latern off and was greeted with company, a gecko had found its way to my bed were it layed spread out in the center. You would think that me choosing to go to Africa would mean that I was brave or at least not afraid of some small lizard. But now I couldnt handle it. Waking Amanda I made her come and assist me in moving him out. With a good try we kicked him off my bed but could not find were he got to. So I talked myself into sleeping figuring he would eventially find its way out. I was not disturbed again untill the next day in the afternoon when I was sleeping. He crawled his way back up. This time he would be out. Can I just say that even African men are not as brave as I would once think because they too wouldnt touch it but maybe just to humor them it left.
If home is were you make it, than let it be said that a week is nothing but a good begining.
posted by Jessica at 4:14 AM
2 Comments:
Jess, the story of your trip is just like a movie. Here Ad and I are just doing our usual things and arguing about whether I like pets more than I ought to, and you are a zillion miles away doing what makes you happy. SO weird. Jonathan would want to keep the gecko! Maybe, me too, if he's cute. I'm more a mammal person, however. Take care and we'll be thinking about you.
Jessica: It is so awesome to read your blog. I think you should write a book. I enjoyed reading your blog as much as I enjoy reading Donald Miller. Thanks for the visuals. Your mission is awe inspiring. You will be and already are blessed for what you are doing. Know that you are missed a lot! Andorra says hi and we both look forward to following your adventure. Many blessings!
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