Jet Laaaaag....

I am incredibly jet lagged, but I am here and so happy to be here. My trip over was extremely long (48+ hours, not including the time change) but actually surprisingly good. I ended up having a row to myself for most/some of my 14 hour flight from Seattle to Dubai which made it so much better. I laid down for a little bit and tried to sleep until a little elderly Indian lady came and asked if she could sit with me. I have to admit that at first the selfish part of me didn't really want to share my “luxury row” but when I saw where she was sitting, in the middle with a crying child on one side, I was happy that I could share with her and glad she was able to sleep. The airline had given us these little toiletry kits at the beginning of the flight and at one point I look over and she's going through mine asking if she can use the stuff in it...I just laughed and said sure... why not?! She then proceeds to lay down in the middle seat with her head pretty much in my lap. I didn't really know what to do so I asked her if she would like a pillow. All in all, I have to admit the whole situation was a little awkward, but it makes me laugh thinking about it now.

After a 14 ½ hour layover in Dubai I got on a plane to Entebbe, Uganda. It was a couple hour drive from the airport to the Rafiki Village where I am staying. I wish I could describe the African driving. Never again will I think the structured driving in America where people mostly follow the rules is crazy. There is no such thing as “lane lines” here, well at least not by American driving standards. The pot hole filled, rutted clay roads just kind of swarm with cars, trucks, bikes, bodas, people and animals. There is constant honking as people go where they want. If someone wants to get in front of you they will just pull up and start pulling in front of you, then they will stick their hand out the window and motion for you to slow down. If my mother thinks the roundabouts in Anchorage are crazy, then she should never drive in Uganda! It all seems chaotic and crazy but I love it. The whole way exhaustion kept forcing my eyelids shut but wonder and excitement kept popping them back open. I couldn't help but want to take it all in. There are lots of soldiers and police with huge guns, which in a way I find comforting. The people are friendly and welcoming. The air is warm and humid. Lush green trees make a sharp contrast with the red clay dirt. I suppose there are parts and things that are dirty, smelly and chaotic compared to sanitized America, but it's beautiful and wonderful and I don't think you can help but fall in love with it here. I am exhausted but I am so happy to be here and can't wait to see what lies ahead. :)