Ugandan Times

"Some people are more certain of everything than I am of anything" - Karl Jung.

Being here is a learning experience, for new perspectives and ideas. For example if a Ugandan women is fat then she will be perceived in a respected manner, that she is wealthy and perhaps healthy. It's obvious that views are different around the world.

First blog being in Uganda. It's been a while since I left Heathrow airport and time has certainly flown by. The topic of Malaria seemed to dominate our first couple of days here. Michael was that classic worried British traveller. We all just needed to settle and find our comfort zone however I'm sure travelling is about being out of your comfort zone? Driving through the roads of Entebbe, Jinja, Kampala and eventually all the way to our home in Kanungu, we were exposed to a whole new way of life. There was the hustle and bustle of Kampala, where on the roads it was each person for themselves. People on the way to work, smartly dressed and sitting on the back of a moterbike (the taxi service). It was pretty funny to see one traffic controller trying to maintain order in the middle of a cross road... good luck mate. Jinja was more Rural, lots more goats tied up outside houses and cows just strolling the streets. Oh yeh, a cow is a very honourable gift to give to your new wife! I did some white water rafting on the river Nile whilst being in Jinja. Jumping out of the boat and just drifting down the Nile was one of the most peaceful experiences of my life. I kind of wish I wasn't with a group of western tourists for that moment but then again I can't be a hypocrite. One of the best drives of my life, certainly in my top 3, was from Kampala to Kanungu. As we got more remote the roads became steeper, more windy and certainly more spectacular. The views were dramatic. I can't believe how flat Cambridge is. I stopped overthinking and just appreciated.

We have been at the lodge for a while now. We are in a quiet pocket of the country, where you can get amazing views of the Bwindi impenetrable forest. However being so remote you have to travel a fair distance to hit the main town. Its a walk/run/taxi ride I'm willing to do so I can watch Arsenal matches. There is a lovely walk through the hillside to the most local of schools in the area. It passes through people's houses where you can exchange greetings with the people, goats and chickens. If you ask a Ugandan how they are, they will always reply with "I am fine". The chef at the lodge joked with me saying that if a Ugandan person was on their last breaths, they would still say they are fine. However maybe it's more of a local thing and doesn't relate to say, Kampala?

We have spent the last two weeks at a holiday school teaching drama, dance, art and music. Our final performance to the rest of the school was a solid showing. The kids who were too shy during the two weeks somehow found their voices when it really mattered. Football is better than Hangman.

Me: "So class what would you like to do next lesson?" Class: "Football! Teacher give us the ball" Does an education really matter when all they want to do is play football? Probably still does.

Who would know we are on a football coaching programme with arsenal? Oh yeh we started coaching today! A very satisfying day. We went through a few dribbling sessions with three different groups. On The whole it went very smoothly. Got disturbed by some goats walking across The pitch, other than that no real drama to take note of. We have asked the kids to bring in their machete's and pangas to cut the grass. Of course we will help being such selfless volunteers blah blah!

We coach in the most natural of surroundings, it really helps the mind to be healthy. The views.

Premier league is massive here. We play football every Monday on the local grassy/dust pitch. Goals made from wood and enthusiasm for the game naturally built. It's normally who ever turns up plays, our very first game was Mazungus (white people) against the Rachigas (locals). We drew 3-3, the Rachigas played a lovely flowing possession game where as we adopted a more conventional long ball, hit and hope sort of tactic. It was like the total football the Dutch made famous against a Tony Pulis Stoke side. I should know better to play in a more attractive way being an arsenal coach. Football in the rain in Uganda is my new favourite thing.

It's certainly a different style out here, I like it. Hard work gives you a reason to be happy. No kids here will be going round their friends house to play call of duty over half term; they will be working for the benefit of their family. Everything is done with such a purpose. Meal times are important and providing for others seems to be very important. We are most welcome here and the Ugandans certainly make us feel that way. They are always encouraging us to eat more. Food is so much more enjoyable when it's made simple. No messing about with what sauces go well with it or if you have enough veg. You just eat and so does everyone else. No food is ever wasted, no courgettes left on the side of your plate.

So far I'm up to date with my Malaria tablets so there is no need for concern, you know being in such a "dangerous" place. I could get attacked by a lion any minute now. It's been an enjoyable few weeks.

#Uganda