We’re here!
After a trip that was longer than we expected or are indeed used to, we nonetheless made it to the project. It took longer because of various setbacks such as changing the money we brought with us. In the lead up to our visit we’d kept an eye on the exchange rate: the economic struggles in Europe, combined with positive reports of oil finds in Uganda, meant that the Euro rate had fallen against the Ugandan shilling. The bank’s rate was going to be less than 2,900 UGX per Euro. Pastor Israel informed us that we could get 100 shillings more per Euro in a cash exchange. So we took the 22,000 Euros in cash with us and got an even better deal: 115 shillings more per Euro, giving 2.5 million shillings more on the total exchange. But it took some time. Not only did the money transaction take longer than expected, but the trip to Kampala, too. We decided to let Ben and Pastor Israel take care of it while the group stayed in the hotel in Entebbe. The traffic chaos in Kampala and not having a sufficient supply of shillings slowed everything down. Ben and Pastor Israel finally got back to the hotel at 13:30 and decided to first eat. We had to wait a while for that as well. That’s how things happen in Africa, and just one more reason to take the popular T-shirt slogan seriously: “No hurry in Africa!” At 15:30 we finally left the Hotel in Entebbe and headed to the project for a 6 hour trip. Pastor Israel drove the bus and Ben drove the Toyota Hilux. On the way we bought a fish that, as is customary, is transported on the car grille. We like to adapt to local customs, so we fixed the fish neatly to the grille. But wrapped in a plastic bag (typically European). We stopped when it got dark for some delicious corn-on-the-cob, sitting and nibbling for a half an hour. We arrived safe and sound at the project at around 22:00 after driving for over 3 hours in the dark. We couldn’t tell the difference between our suitcases because they were all, equally, covered in dust. But a wipe with a cloth did wonders. After having given everyone a hearty welcome it was high time to find our beds. We agreed to not breakfast too early and get a good rest.