Safari

Last weekend I went with six other girls to Murchison Falls National Park on a safari.  The first thing we did was stop at a Rhino sanctuary and trek some rhinos.  It was really fun to see rhinos in the wild just doing what they do.  I don't even really like rhinos so it got me excited to see the animals that I really like.

Our Guide

Accommodations for the night

The next day we went on a game drive early in the morning,  we saw elephants, giraffes, Ugandan kobs and a bunch of baby animals. 

Ugandan Kobs--the national animal

Warthogs

Buffalo

Andrea and Me

Can you see the lion?  (look on the left)

A tower of giraffes

With our guide on the Nile River--can you see the hippos in the background?

 
We took a boat cruise on the Nile where we saw a crocodile and some elephants drinking from the river. 

Hugging the world

Baboon!

Crocodile

We got out of the boat and hiked to Murchison Falls- a waterfall on the river Nile.  I have never seen a waterfall so powerful and out of control.  It reminded me a bit of the blowhole in Ensenada Mexico.  We sat on a rock for a while and just enjoyed being there. 

The trail

Enjoying the waterfall

We spent the night in huts with grass roofs.  it was so peaceful and quiet.  I loved it and it was just what I needed.

On Sunday we drove to a rain forest where we went trekking for chimps. We saw about seven and got to hear them all yelling and screaming.  It was amazing!  We were just deep in the forest looking for chimps.  At one point my foot got tangled in a vine and someone had to help me get loose.  I also tripped over a branch and fell straight onto my knee.

 It was a fantastic experience, even though there are no zebras in Murchison Falls National Park.  I am really going to try to take a day trip somewhere to see zebras but I am running out of time and it is pretty much all accounted for.  

Sorry this post if so brief, I will add more details and pictures once I get home.

Things I Look Forward to When I Get Home

• Hug my family
• Wear a seatbelt
• Take a long, hot shower with no one rushing me
• Eat a steak
• Eat an apple
• Have a sleepover with my sister
• Get a pedicure
• Give and hug my doggies
• Sleep in my own bed
• Have my own room and space
• Step on American soil :)

I'm sure there is more but this is what I can think of off the top of my head

Two More Weeks

I can't believe that I will only be in Uganda for two more weeks, it has gone by so quickly!  I feel like I have not accomplished anything.  I will be going on a safari this weekend and heading out to the Islands again for a few days next week.   This time we will be going to three different villages to do some HIV testing and pass out condoms.  I think there will be a doctor or someone from a clinic accompanying us.  The eye camp will be on Saturday.  Maybe a day trip to Jinja and another trip to the African craft market to get a few more things and then I will be flying home.

Happy Birthday America!!!

Last night a group of us went to the American Recreation Association for a fourth of July picnic.  I got to have a hamburger and some popcorn.  They even had face painting and cotton candy.  There were African dancers and an African children's group sang and danced.

Some United States Marines presented the American Flag and a woman sang the national anthem.  It was really cool to see and hear our national anthem all the way in Africa.  I felt so proud to be an American.  I hope that I never again take that for granted.  I am so lucky to have the right to go to school, have running water and clean clothes, and even to have somewhere to put my trash.

Upcoming this week:

• HIV day at Kyombogo village--about forty minutes outside of Lugazi
• Meeting with Bernard tomorrow
• Safari this weekend