Traffic:
I know that LA traffic is known for being bad, but I think it is going to be a cake walk after driving around Uganda. Yesterday I drove into town to run some errands and then meet up with friends and was reminded how chaotic life here is. After avoiding stalled cars, unmarked 10-foot-deep holes in the middle of the road, stray goats, swerving bodas with giant wooden beams piled on them, mutatus spewing black smoke, venders frantically shoving carts across major roads, airtime salesmen walking in and out of stopped cars... I reached a roundabout that has potential to flow normally. However, a gathering of traffic cops were controlling the circle and creating more havoc than the 5pm crowds caused on their own. They sent half the cars clockwise, the other half counter-clockwise...needless to say, loud honks and gridlock arose. Then they held my line of 15 cars (waiting to enter the roundabout) for 22 minutes before waving us into the kurfuffle (yes, I was counting). This is one thing I am not going to miss at all.
Basketball:
I went to see my first Ugandan basketball game last night. It was the club league championship game. I was packed into the Kampala YMCA facilities along with several hundred other viewers. We practically sat on each other's laps to watch the surprisingly tight final game. I was surprised at both the quality of play (way better than I imagined it would be!) and the energy of the crowd. Next time, I'll have to bring something to cushion against the cement seats and the knees jabbing into my back (or perhaps a tarp to keep my pants from soaking up the sweat of the man sitting in front of me). A random cultural experience indeed.
Friends:
A few friends had a goodbye dinner for me tonight (before end of term hits full swing). I really appreciate the sentiments! When I think about the things I am going to miss, people are number one. I have met some really lovely people here. My friends are experienced travelers, confident individuals, intellectual readers, highly competitive board game players, caring friends, culinary experts, and loving spouses (to each other-- nice models). They have taught me a lot about being a settled, mellow adult (it might be a stretch to call myself either of those things, but I have certainly learned to slow down much more here!).
Important aside:
Happy birthday, Dad!
That's all for tonight, folks.
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