Where Uganda, Africa?

6:12am PST- Portland, Oregon

In an attempt to really jump start my travel documentation, I’ve decided to take full advantage of my multiple 3 hour layovers across the globe to share with you the incredibly interesting and noteworthy things and events I see, in true Sarah story telling style (if you don’t get the joke, keep reading my posts over the next few months and you’ll understand ;D).

First let me start off by saying, I am amazing. Who fits 6 months worth of clothes/toiletries in one duffel bag and a backpack??? Oh right, it’s me…not to toot my own horn or anything… And while this is quite an impressive feat it unfortunately is going to make hauling around my checked duffel should or when the time comes not so much fun.

Earlier this week I was skyping with my old college roommates from good ol’ C1. They let me in on a little joke they had come up with and I thought I’d share it with you. I, being of supersonic hearing and mental quickness (this, in case you are unaware, is a complete lie- sadly), eagerly awaited to hear this great joke they had come up with. They tell it and what I hear is “Where are you going? Africa?” Apparently my blank stare gave away the fact that I either heard them wrong or completely missed the joke. Honestly you could say it was a bit of both. Really they had said “Where Uganda, Africa?” but it sounds like “where are you going, Africa?” I’m sure you all got the joke right away, but as usual it took me a little while to comprehend. But rest assured, once I understood I had a nice little laugh – fully appreciating how cleaver my friends can be.

It just occurred to me that I should probably plug my computer in now so I have battery power left when I get to Europe, Africa, etc. Hmm, it has also just dawned on me that I didn’t bring an outlet adapter so as of now I have no way of charging my computer once I leave the United States . . . awesome. Well, I’ll let you know how that one plays out…

The start of my trip has been dappled with surprises so far. First, on the drive to the airport I witnessed a lightning storm parallel to that of the mid-west – something I’ve NEVER seen on the Oregon Coast/Portland metropolitan area. In addition to seeing the sky light up with Technicolor bolts and flashes I also experienced my very first radio emergency message that wasn’t a test! Talk about exciting! . . . and I guess it really is a good thing the quarter sized hail and funnel clouds ended up being a bust . . . Then, after arriving at the airport I went to check my duffle and print my boarding passes and to my surprise they didn’t make me pay a baggage fee! Score!

Well I’m guessing there won’t be too much more excitement between now and when I board the plane. Oh who am I kidding? There are tons of people, foreign and local, and I’m a nosy person who likes to stare, of course I’m going to see more interesting things! However, I’ll try to remember them till the next stop because I’m going to go get myself a snack now. Interesting, I know. Don’t you just love the play-by-plays?

Later- Newark, New Jersey

Things of interest- One married couple sporting matching T-shirts with the words “I love my wife” and “I love my husband.” Perhaps somebody needs reminding . . . ? I sat next to a guy from Washington (state) who was starting a semester abroad in Brussels and an Italian guy on his way home from visiting his girlfriend in the states for 25 days (his words, not mine). Yeah, not too exciting here, I think that was it.

After that- Brussels, Belgium

Walked forever to find the right terminal I was supposed to be in, finally found it then waited in mild confusion with a growing group of others as to why it was nearing time for boarding and our gate was still blocked off. During this time I met a guy from Uganda named Tom, who apparently has been doing a lot of research/school/work regarding the peace corp and conflict management stuff. Anyway, he was pretty nice and full of useful knowledge about things.

On the plane I sat next to some girl from Hawaii who was going to do a term abroad in Kigali, Rwanda.

Even later- Kigali, Rwanda

My flight was continuing straight on to Entebbe, Uganda- my final flight destination, so I just hung out on the plane for an hour while it was being cleaned/reboarded. I talked to Tom a bit more then met the girl who would be sitting next to me on the last leg of my flight. She was a Canadian who had been working in Kigali for the last 9 months. It was pretty interesting to hear some of the stuff she had to say.

About 11:00 pm Uganda time (10 hours ahead of PSD)- Entebbe, Uganda

Finally made it!!! I got through customs pretty quick and found my bag traveling around on the conveyor belt within seconds. After a quick word with Tom I went out in search of someone holding a sign with my name . . .