Shanghai was to have been my biggest challenge as I’m
notorious for not being able to find my way out of a paper bag. However I’m
pleased to say with the help of a few people I managed to catch the Metro train
into Nanjing Road where I was to find the most amazing shopping stores
imaginable. Just window shopping and getting the lay of the land. Can’t wait to
go back and catch the train down the centre of this pedestrian mall and
hopefully it will return to where it began. People were everywhere. Bright
lights but not quite New York. After about 3 hours and a pair of shoes I caught
the return Metro for the hour and twenty minutes back to the airport.
Addis Abba here I come
With heavy bags in tow the only way up to the second
terminal was via the lift and to Bay F where I could check in thank goodness I arrived 3 hours before hand.
The plane was full. Women were in the minority and every man must of had at
least four to five huge bags to check in.
I blessed the staff back in Auckland who insisted I had only twenty kilo
per bag. I began to notice I looked like the white sheep. We were bussed about
four km out to the plane. And loaded in like sardines. Get used to it Pauline this is just the
beginning. My TV screen petered out half
way during this eleven hour flight. Great.
No light to read but phone was charging thanks to a young lady lending
me her charger. I was feeling that I needed to know this worked as my security
link to home. Alas on arrival at AB no phone connection, no security personal,
a monitor not updating and limited signage to gates. Thank goodness that my bags were in transit
and a young Chinese man who was in the same predicament. I asked if there was a
Star Alliance Lounge and the security let me… by passing the security screening
into the customs area.
Next stop Entebbe
The small plane was almost empty and the flight an hour and
a half which passed quickly. We disembarked on to the tarmac and headed
indoors. Ebola signs were up everywhere, hands sprayed and temperature taken,
forms to fill in and a visa to get. An hour latter I greeted Father Maurice
easily recognized by his big welcoming smile. I have a surprise for you he
said…… Outside waiting were three mini bus loads of teachers, students and
parents all singing and dancing. I felt so humble with flowers and cassava. I
wanted you all here to share with me.
Welcome to Uganda
A picnic spot on Lake Victoria was intended to allow the
students to eat lunch as they had traveled for four hours due to traffic.
However the president was flying in from the USA and groups of by standers were
lining the road and the traffic was disorganized and slow flowing. As we
proceeded along the way I enjoyed the scenery without my camera…. Shops consist
of small 2m by 2m plank buildings with wares hung and displayed outside. I’m
yet to find out how you know which shop has what as they have no names and are
so pokey and jammed packed with everything imaginable. Shops are about 2 meters
off the road as people talking, walking, and waiting in groups along with
motorcycles line the road edge. It took us four hours before we were out of the
city and above 40kmph and then proceeded to 80kmph for the next two hours
dodging motor cycles, pot holes uneven broken away road edges, slow cars and
loaded sugar cane trucks. Dinner was ready on our arrival at Kangulumira.
My home for the next month is a room at the Priests house,
along with the parish staff, priests and wonderful cooks. I have my own
bathroom, toilet and bed complete with a mosquito net. Cold water is available on tap and hot water
can be brought to me in a thermos. Mmmm..
The church and school are on the same grounds. The 200 meter
road to the gate is similar to a farm track with stones jutting out through the
red clay soil and negotiated best with a four wheel drive.
