The Glory of Ugandan Transportation

Since I'm near a computer and have access to internet, I thought I'd write another blog. I don't have much new to say, but haven't really given y'all any hint of what getting around Uganda is like on public transportation. So I thought I'd relay some of my favorite encounters so far.

THE BUS FROM KABALE TO KAMPALA
The buses in Uganda are very similar to our greyhound or coach buses, but much older and more used. They tend to have 2 seats on one side of the aisle and 3 on the other, and often will load people until even the standing room is gone. While riding from Kabale to Kampala, a 7 hour ride on a good day, I was passing the time by reading a book when the bus pulled over for the 1700th time.
me, "what are we stopping for now?"
Scott, "I think the windshield just shattered. Didn't you hear it? He's kicking out the rest of the glass."
me, "no, are you serious?"
Scott, "yeah, see these shards of glass all over my bag? It's the windshield."
me, "oh. Neat."
Scott, "you might want to put on your sunglasses."
me, "okay."
I'm pretty sure these kinds of conversations are fairly routine on such journies.

MATATU FROM KABALE TOWN TO MY SCHOOL
I arrived at the taxi park at about 1pm for the return journey to my school. I had been told by the headmaster, who had taken me to town that day on business, that the last one would leave by 2. I figured sitting in a matatu for an hour waiting for it to fill would be okay. I should probably tell you that matatus are toyota minibuses that hold 14 passengers, 1 driver, and 1 conductor, who collects money and yells out the window for potential passengers. Often these get filled to an extra 3 to 4 people, but not on this journey. We sat in the taxi park until 3:30, at which time we drove in circles around the town to pick up more people. I thought when we had 4 people in each 3 person row we would finally be able to leave, but I was much mistaken. The taxi filled until there were 25 people, which means 3 in the front with the driver, 6 in the next 3 person row, then 5, followed by another 5 and only 4 in the last. It was the most cramped and ridiculously long time I've ever sat on a matatu. Needless to say I won't take the same one any longer.

FELLOW VOLUNTEERS RIDE FROM KABALE TO MBARARA
This PCV boarded a matatu in Kabale to ride to Mbarara. Her matatu also filled way beyond capacity, up to 21 people (there's supposed to only be 14). She was glad to finally be on the road, but her joy wasn't to last long. Outside of Kabale town her taxi was impounded by the police, and the conductor (who had already taken money from 3 passengers) denied his position. Finally after much questioning by the police, the conductor realized he was found out and made a break for it. He ran from the matatu with a policewoman hot on his heels. He however made it to freedom, disappearing into the bush to never be heard from again.
She was escorted onto a new matatu to be taken to Mbarara, and much to her chagrin, the new matatu also filled itself to 21. This one, however, made it without further incident to Mbarara, and only 5 hours after she had originally planned to be there.

So those are a few of my favorites from riding public transport in Uganda. I hope you enjoyed them, and I hope that you never complain about riding a bus in the States again.

Megan

Settling In

Wow. It's official, I'm a Peace Corps Volunteer, since Thursday, April 10. I'm currently trying to get myself situated, and my new house in living and working order. I'm having some furniture made, and am currently in the process of trying to make the place clean and homey. We'll see how far I get on that front.

I'm also trying to get to know my new neighborhood, which mainly includes several cows and goats, who I am getting to know very well. Yesterday I met 3 brand new baby goats, and they were lots of fun. I also got to know 4 of the cows that wander past my door every day, which was interesting. Who knew they were so friendly? One of them liked me so much she wouldn't stop licking me, which is gross.

I haven't done any teaching yet, but I have started helping the other teachers to finish their grading, since term just ended for the students yesterday. I have until May 25th to prepare myself for teaching physics to secondary school students, which is a very good thing since I've never done this before. I'm looking forward to getting started on my job here, and also to doing something as new and exciting as teaching. It should be interesting.

The area I'm living in is in the southwest of Uganda, which I may have mentioned before, and is the most beautiful part of the country. Its very hilly, I guess is how I should put it, and the climate is much different than the rest of Uganda, mainly its much colder. I wasn't expecting to need sweatshirts in Africa, but there I go making assumptions again. I'm going to need to buy some warmer clothing, because believe it or not it gets to 40 degrees F sometimes. I also hadn't realized that 2 months was enough time to get used to the heat of central Uganda, but apparently I am now a wimp to the cold. I'm thinking about buying a charcoal stove just to keep my house warmer.

Well, I suppose that's enough for now. I'll post again when I get to the internet next, which could be awhile since the nearest internet cafe to my house is 12 km away. I need to get a bike...

Megan