First Hours in Uganda - Oct 6, 2010 – 11pm Uganda Time

Unbelievable is the first word that comes to mind. I cannot believe that I have finally made it to Uganda! Dad, Michelle and Ann dropped me off at the airport Tuesday night at 5:55pm, and then I was off. In all of this I have obviously been SO excited to go, but I also felt scared. I have never had to travel on my own. So having the first time I do be all the way to Africa, I didn’t know if I could do it. BUT, with everything that has happened in the 48 hours leading up to my trip as a good recent reminder, I was 100% sure that God was with me, and that was what mattered.

The trip was uneventful (in a good way). I should have slept more than I did, but besides that it was great. I met some cool people along the way which was fun, because often when you are travelling with others, you don’t take the time to meet others, or it just doesn’t happen.

So after an 8 hour flight from Toronto to Amsterdam, a 5 hour layover, and then another 8 hour flight from Amsterdam to Entebbe, I made it!!! A bit more waiting in line to get a visa, luggage and everything scanned for the final time, I stepped out into the Ugandan evening. The best part about this pick up, compared to last time was that I recognized the people picking me up! Tom and Henry were both there to greet me. It was so great to see them again. I have spent the last 2 years anticipating this moment. And the last month hardcore getting ready to go, and finally the moment arrived.

The first thing I noticed about being in Uganda was that its smell was familiar. The smell of something burning (I’m assuming garbage). Now maybe it was because it was night time, and therefore I couldn’t really see anything, so my sense of smell was heightened, but it really reminded me of what it is exactly that I am getting myself into. To be honest though, I enjoyed its familiar smell.

From there they took me to the Entebbe Hotel which is where I am right now. In Uganda right now it is about 11pm, which means it is 4pm your time. And I have slept maybe 2 hrs in total since leaving Tuesday night which means that I should probably be sleeping. BUT, my mind was a whirl so I thought maybe typing up my events over the last little but would help me to gather my thoughts together.

It’s definitely different being here on my own. No one to talk to about how things are going, or what they think the expectation is on you in certain situations that no one will tell you. But Henry has been great, and I am excited to see what is next. Tomorrow the only things on the list are to get to Jinja, settle in to my room at Siouxanne’s and see the boys! I cannot wait :)

Take Care!

Love, Mel