K-k-krazy Kampala, the first week

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's hard to believe it has been exactly a week today since I arrived in Uganda. What a week it has been. First of all I though I would never get here is was such a long journey - 24 hour from Melbourne to Uganda kind of felt like a really bad joke by the end of it - but never the less I eventually arrived. There was no time for rest. Training started the very next day with classroom lessons and a fabulous walk around central Kampala. The taxi parks are something to behold, they must be the most chaotic places in Africa and possibly the world. It's the beginning of the rainy season so there has been a bit of that which just acts to add the the mayhem. You should see the potholes. One just doesn't expect to see potholes in the middle of a capital city, not ones you could fall down anyway.

The people in my training group are amazing, a really diverse group from all over the world and I have made some firm friends already. The volunteers already here in Kampala held a party for us on Saturday night which was really good. Our first day and into it already, it was a bit overwhelming at times. So many new faces and names.

We went to see some Ugandan dancing and drumming which was pretty spectacular and a pretty good way to get fit I would think. We also had an incredible Ugandan woman come and share her story of living with HIV/AIDS with us which brought me to tears. Some of the issues to come will be confronting I am certain.

Today I met my employers and moved from the training centre to central Kampala. The employers were fabulous and really motivating and engaging. The looked after me really well and I am really looking forward to starting work - although it is a challenge of momunental preportions.

My house in Kampala is not sorted out so I am staying with some fellow volunteers for a few weeks until it all comes together which I am sure it will eventually.

I am hoping to be brave and venture out alone at the weekend and hit the markets to get some clothes for work. Ugandan's are very well dressed they put me to shame really, so I guess I'd better look the part.

Currently it is the end of a very long week and I am a bit exhausted, but there is pizza and dancing tonight to say hello and goodbye to the arrivals (me) and the departures (not me). So I guess I should dust myself out and check out the Kampala nightlife - apparently it's something else.

Will add photos soon.

So the story continues...what will the next week bring I wonder.......

My Last Night In Oz

Here I am in Melbourne on the night before I fly out to Uganda for two years. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions and activities. The lowlight was saying farewell to the fine golden retrievers - Earl and Olive - and the highlight the family farewell, the last chance drinks and of course dressing up as a gorilla for my work farewell.

Thanks for all the farewells and I'll see you from the other side, stay tuned......