Friday, after the well was fixed, Donna and I rode with Charles in the tipper to Gulu. He had to take it bak to Bobi, so we thought it would be a good time to leave the village for a while and explore the city! What a great weekend it was!
We started on Friday night in Bywale, walking around the streets and market, while Charles had the tipper serviced. We then headed out. Charles dropped us off at the Kakenyera hotel, but there was no room at the inn, so we called Cosmos, and he took us over there. We ended up staying at the Cosmos for 3 nights, and in my opinion, it ended up being better than the Kakenyera. It was in a great location, clean, hot water (that I finally figured out my 3rd shower, but I don't care because I got a shower) and breakfast. It also had a great common room where we were able to relax and also visit with other guests. It reminded me of a nice hostel.
We didn't get in until almost midnight, so we went right to bed, although didn't sleep too well because of parties going on around us. It turned out that Saturday was graduation, so graduation parties were everywhere Friday night.
Saturday morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel, then went to the coffee hut to get our bearings. Oh man, that coffee was delicious!!! My first cup in over a month! SO GOOD!!! It's also a common place for Mzungus to hang out, so we talked with a few people and they helped us figure out where to go.
I should add that we also enjoyed a piece of chocolate cake with our morning coffee. I love days like that!
After coffee we walked around the town, until we ended up in the market. It was so neat to see the market and shop there. We ended up spending a lot of time there over the few days. We found souvenirs and even had a skirt made. For lunch we took bodas (motorcycles that take you around like a taxi) to Sankofa and had burgers and pizza. It was in a beautiful courtyard, and very nice and relaxing. We walked home from there, shopped some more, and then ended our day early, relaxing in the common room. I was beat after that, so we called it an early night.
Sunday we tried to go out for breakfast, but due to a communication error, although we were told that they had breakfast, it turned out that their cook was still at the market shopping. So we drank tea, and then headed back to the hotel for breakfast there. More shopping on Sunday, and getting things made, and then lunch at Churchill courts. That time, I was much more comfortable riding the boda. Didn't scare me nearly as much! More shopping, and then we stopped for a soda before heading home just as the storm hit.
Monday, we made our way to the bus station and rode home with a chicken next to us. That was a great surprise! We didn't even know it was on the bus, until we heard it and watched someone pull it down from the overhead luggage bin where our bags were. We got a big laugh out of that.
The ride home was surprisingly quick and we stopped in Bywale so that Donna could go to the market, and I could enjoy a soda and read, while watching our bags. We then took Bodas back to the village, and got caught in a rain storm. It was pretty crazy, and quite the experience of a day of travel in Africa! One that I definitely will never forget!
We came home to the pump being out again, but Praise The Lord, they got it fixed today! So, we should be good to go now!
Thanks for your prayers for the pump situation, for safe travel, and for my time here! I am very thankful to have people praying for me! I know I was praying a lot on that bus and those bodas, but God is so good! I am home safe!
Last night Elijah came and brought me a note. It was the sweetest note that I have ever been given! My heart is full of love! I can't believe that I only have 3 weeks left! As much as I miss everyone back home, I am going to be really sad to leave here! These kids are amazing!
One final PTL came tonight, as John Kerry stopped by my hut. I hadn't seen him or talked to him in a few weeks and was really sad about that, but tonight, he finally came back around! I am so happy! We are hoping to pull out the parachute again this weekend, so hopefully the kids will come around!
I love these kids!
Got to love the coffee hut!
The market from inside
Sankofa
I love this painting! But he wasn't finished with it yet, so I bought a painting of giraffes that kept catching my eye.
Catherine and Monica, who made some stuff for us at the market. This is my skirt.
Donna and me on our last stop, Tangawizi! (REAL Gingerale!)
Our little chicken buddy!
The vendors at each bus stop. You can't see it here, but they also hold up and sell live chickens! There were a few more on the bus than we originally thought!
On the boda ride home. You can't see me, but this is my driver.
My boda is just on the other side of these cattle! This is right before the rain hit!
PTL for safe travels! Thanks again for your prayers!
(A lizard just dropped in the middle of my floor from my ceiling. I need to go take care of that now!)
Love this Carly,
ReplyDeleteI had a lot of fun in Gulu...you are most appreciated as a travelling partner,..lol