First Day In Africa

Awaken by the call of the coyotes, buzzing of mosquitoes, and the ever so soft chirping of birds. Today was the first day of school for the children. School started at 7:30am and the younger kids return at 4:30 but the older students are not out until 6:30pm. Once the children were off the Bishop and I had business to attend to in the town. When someone says the word taxi, most people think of a 4 seat, yellow car, and crazy driver. Well, crazy driver is the the only description of the list that fits. On our way to town the Bishop suggested we take a taxi. A taxi here is a big 14 person van driving crazy fast and picking random people up until it is full. However, just because there are 14 seats doesn’t mean the taxi driver was satisfied with the number. There were a total of 20 people crammed into the van with the Bishop and I as we made our way to town. The roads are unpaved and very bumpy so people were sort of flying all over the place. Prior to my arrive in Africa I was under the impression that most people were poor, which is the case, but of course they still have cars and the traffic was seemingly worse than New York City traffic.

Our first item on the agenda was to get my visa for Sudan. We made our way to the bank, dodging other natives in a hurry, and motorcycles and taxi vans. Once we reached the bank there was a armed army solider with a metal detector making sure that the bank stays safe. After talking to the bank clerk and learning that I can receive my visa tomorrow the Bishop and I made our way to some music stores to purchase a keyboard. We went to multiple stores to compare prices and finally decided on one. For lunch the Bishop took me to a restaurant and I tried casaba and linen bread.Casaba is a root that is frequently used in many meals,

Dodging motorcycles didn’t seem hard enough to the Bishop so he thought we should ride one. The newest form of taxi service in Entebbe is with the uses of motorcycles. It seemed like the only things on the roads were either taxi vans or taxi motorcycles. There are very few street lights so when people feel they want to go there is no hesitation. I noticed how close the cars, vans, and motorcycles came to hitting people and asked the Bishop how people can be comfortable with that. He explained how the Africans don’t worry about getting hit because it is the drivers job to dodge the on coming person. Each time we crossed the street was nerve wracking for me, and the Bishop noticed that and from then on took my hand each time we crossed.

We got back to the house just as the students were returning from school, and supper was being prepared. Fish and rice was what was served and it was delicious, also the Bishop and I picked up some mangos on the way back home and had those as well.

Life here seems very simple for most, and very challenging for others. It was very depressing to see street children laying on the ground begging for money. In contrast to that it was very interesting to see business man dressed up in their fancy suits, and then there are those who fall in-between. American brand clothes was for the most part what people wore here, brands such as Hollister, Abercrombie, and American Eagle.

The Bishop and I plan to travel to Sudan on either wednesday or thursday. We are going to travel by road, due to weight limits of only 20 pound luggage for the plane and also there is a lot of stuff to transport. I have two 50 pound suitcases, a keyboard and a bookbag, so the plane isn’t really a option, however the journey to sudan by plane was favored because it is only 2 hours verses the 3 day journey by car. Sudan had two planes that flew in weekly, but as of late one of the planes has been shut down making it very difficult to book a flight because they are all taken.

View of the Mountain sized Hill from the Bishop's House

In the Suburbs, where the Bishop's house is, there is a sense of calmness and peacefulness and relaxation verses the tension and sense of hurry in town. The air is calm and there are several banana trees that blow smoothly with the wind. The house is surrounded by a 6 foot fence and 10 foot gate. Looking out a distance from the house there is a magnificent view of a mountain sized hill with houses built on it all the way to the top. Since we are close to the equator the day and night are divided equally. The sun rises around 6:00 and sets by 6:00, that makes for a 12 hour day as well as a 12 hour night. As the sun was setting Bishop Peni and I went on a walk to a close store to pick up some things. He explained to me how he enjoys being here because there are few who know who he actually is. We began joking about how he is a man in disguise.

Later in the evening before we all went to bed the Bishop and his many house guest gathered in the front room and we sang prayers and hymns. Unfortunately they sang in Arabic so I could only hum along, but it was very interesting to listen to.

Life here is nice and something I can get use to quick.