When Things Don't Go as Planned

May 11, 2012

Last Flight

What we planned:  Sit by each other and hopefully get a little sleep before arriving in Uganda. 

What actually happened:  We sat in four different rows, laid across three seats each, and slept quite happily for most of the flight. 

Journey to Masaka

What we planned:  Ride with Dave’s contact Idd, who was supposed to pick us up.

What actually happened:  Idd called us while we were driving to Masaka with someone who was not Idd.  Apparently Idd is sick, so he had someone else pick us up. 

Housing

What we planned:  Quickly find the compound; carry our suitcases into our furnished house, shower, and fall asleep in our beds.

What actually happened:  We couldn’t figure out where the compound was, so we drove around asking random people for directions.  We finally arrived, and a lady greeted us dramatically, and said “Welcome to Uganda” while opening the gate.  We got out of the car, and she informed us that our house would be ready for us in about a week.  We got a brief tour of our empty house, then had to find our way to the Maria Flo Hotel, where we are now staying.

First Day in Masaka

What we planned:  Sleep, explore a little, eat, email Dave and our families so they would know we arrived safely. 

What actually happened:  We did get some sleep, we all crashed.  Then we had to move rooms, because initially we got a room for all four of us to share.  I’m pretty sure the hotel staff was appalled, so they came into our room during our nap and told us that they had two rooms for us for after we were done resting.  We moved rooms, ate a dinner of sweet potatoes, rice, beans, and g-nut sauce.  We tried to connect to the internet, which was unsuccessful. 

Regardless of things not always going according to plan, life is good.  I’m in Uganda, and it is so amazing.  We were driving as the sun rose on our first morning in the country.  I’ve heard many people talk about African sunrises, and now I know why.  It was dark, and all of a sudden, it was light.  As I turned around and looked out the back of the van, the sky was red.  I’m pretty sure I was more than half asleep, but even in that state, it was beautiful.