Kampala
Back on african soil after a sevenyear break, last time being AIDS 2000 meeting in durban. Kampala, Uganda’s capital, is just in the northern hemisphere – a mighty 0.05 degrees north, or 3 miles north of the equator nestling against Lake victoria, the largest saltwater lake in the world. But we’re also a long way east – the equivalent of somewhere in russia, between st Petersburg and Moscow, just a tad further south.
strange walking out of Entebbe airport this morning; was expecting noise and urban oppression, it was delightful, calm, lush, warm welcomes from the locals. so the 7 of us on this HART charity trip were bussed into Kampala. Only problem was the guest house wasn’t expecting us…so after 2 hours of ringing around we arrived at a lakeside hotel compound being prepared for a commonwealth meeting in a few months time. all mod cons, even internet access from the bedroom. Mossy nets up and apparently cocha, and the air con works thank goodness, it’s pretty oppressive. Kampala elegant and surrounded by hills and the lake; noisy birdlife and plenty of palm and jacaranda trees to paint a lush tropical picture.
Just settling in today; the hard work starts tomorrow when we head north to the camps and the orphanage. The plane taking us sounds small – we’ve had to submit our total weight, so now know the size of most folks on this trip…and what a group: a human rights lawyer, a pharmacist, dental hygienist, nurse, charity workers, and yours truly. raymond our man in Kampala is a delight. and Moses, his sidekick. How do you two know each other?’ someone asked. ‘we’re brothers’. Aha.Time to change some dollars into Ugandan shillings (several thousand to the pound of course), then a bath, nap, drink, supper, sleep.
caroline (Lady) Cox, our esteemed leader, is exceptional. 70 going on 25, full of energy, warmth, humour, impeccable manners to everyone she meets. she is also first out of the bus to offer her arm – we’ve started calling her ‘Simpson’.
