Kampala, Uganda....AFRICA!

May 16, 2011 I will be going to AFRICA!

This is no little trip, it will last six weeks, and will be life changing.

I am not scared of Africa, or anything that might happen there...I am afraid of the airplane ride!!

Many of you may laugh at that, however, for a girl from a town with the population 1,312, riding an airplane is a BIG DEAL!!!

My friend Shana, one of the girls going on the trip with me, sent me a message the other day to encourage me for the day. She quoted an amazing book that I have read called Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. It says that "God is our protector and we wouldn't need a protector if we didn't take risks for Him. He longs for us to need Him and trust in Him to take care of us."

This really helped me and it also made me realize that I am taking a HUGE risk for Him this summer by going to Uganda. I have no idea what may happen or what things we will experience, but I know my God has a plan for me!!

I will be going to Kampala Uganda, which is the capital city of Uganda and the largest city, about 1 million people.It contains several big name hotels, banks, universities, and other large businesses. 

There are three methods of public transportation: boda bodas, matatu, and special hires. The fastest method is the boda bodas; motorcycles that you see all over the city.
Boda Bodas are extremely dangerous as their drivers will do whatever it takes to get you to your destination quickly. Expect to dart in front of and against traffic and even though crowds of pedestrains when necessary. Boda boda accidents account for most of the hospital visits and traffic fatalities in Kampala. Mind you..I will NOT be traveling by a boda boda!!Matatus are a series of minibuses that follow relatively preset routes all over the city and many other parts of the country. Confusingly, they are known as taxis in Uganda. Each matatu has a driver and a conductor, both of whom will shout the destinations of their vehicle out the windows.This is what I will be traveling in when need be!!
Some main attractions in Kampala include;

• The Uganda Museum.
• Kasubi tombs, where the remains of the Kings of Buganda are buried, was a major tourist site. However, these were extensively damaged by fire in March 2010.
• Nommo art gallery
• National Theatre
• Cathedrals - Rubaga and Namirembe (not very interesting itself but good view of the city)
• Parliament of Uganda (and independence monument).

 Owino market...in the picture to the right.. is one of the largest in this region of Africa. The endless booths that line the chaotic alleys of Owino offer a mind-boggling array everything from homemade irons, to American hand-me-down-clothes with the Goodwill price tags still on then, to an amazing array of African foods, to any and everything else under the sun. Everything at Owinio starts cheap and gets cheaper with bargaining.

Food is ALWAYS something I love...and Kampala has the food! There are TONS of different food options available!!
Common options include meat (usually beef), rice, beans, Matoke (steamed green bananas, served mashed).Common dishes that can be found in the most of city restaurants and in the country side are Fish and Chips and chicken and chips.
For a street snack, the famous "Rolex" is very enjoyable. It is made out of a chapati (kind of a pancake) wrapped around an omelet, with cabbage and tomatoes

I am SURE I will have much more information on Kampala in a few months that are much better than what I found here online.I cannot WAIT to take pictures and post them on here and let you know how each and every day is going during my journey through Kampala.

Love you all!!
Keep praying for this trip and for God's hand to be working through me to His people in Kampala!!