Kampala, Uganda

Hi guys, Still in uganda. Have had the best time and the place is beautiful. We have travelled since the last time I was here on this same computer to places I think unkn own to everyone else except the people here. we camp everywhere we go. Have the opportunity to upgrade than if you think about it well it takes away from the nicer things at the end of the journey called the bar. So we all sleep in the tents go to the bar at tnight meet everyone else from other overlander trucks what else can I say. Today several of us bought mattersses around 8.00 dollars American. Pillows were the next thing and one more towel. All our clothes got washed yesterday so now all the ruck sacks are clean with clothes. The showers are the next biggie on things like thiss and yes we all take showers every night where ever we go and hot water which we don't really need as it is so hot here. Back to the trip. We were greeted by the border of Congo they really thought we were the UN. We were in a special small little thing that took roads even in the state of Maine would be considcered out of order. Our passports went quickly and off we went all ten of us in a 6 seater car type of thing. We stopped at a village about an hour before we were to go into the jungle to see the gorrillas which we were told it could take up tro 6 hours going through the jungle with the rangers. the stop over was to fix something on the car and out we had to go and be amoung people who really have never seen many white people never blondes or blue eyed people. they were terrific. They spoke what ever and we did the same. Music came on and away I went with beat. Some of the younger children wanted to touch our skin, our hair they sang to us I almost felt I was Diana it was so overwhelming. they have nonething but they have everything. Life to them is so simple even my grandparents did not have to live llike these people when they came to my counry. the gorrilas were awsome. We went up a hill entered the jungle got only about 15 feet and there was the silver back sitting down with his females and babies. Highly unusual the rangers said. I said Irish Luck. I was the least 10feet away from the big male. The pictures we got are surreal. We followed them for one hour qwhich is alloted and away they went into a farmers fields of corn. There are no words to explain what we felt, saw and realiozed until we got back into the crowded little what ever it was for the 3 hour trip back to a somewhat road back to the borders of Uganda. We stopped twice on the return one for a flat tire and again the two villages of people so poor you cannot imangine their clothing but there appearence was not to be as they were happy so happy they made us happy. As to our food, shelter could not be better. The people I'm with are the best. all new best friends ready to meet all my other best friends. We so far have played pool, volley ball, beach ball, tomorrow is white water rafting on the nile, what else can you say about something like this. the electric goes out alot in Uganda which makes it even better. Our cook is Sammy and he is the best. we all help in preparing the veggies, washing the dishes doing all the chores expected while on this. The average time we get up is around 4:30 or 5 am as we have long ways to go to the next place to set up and places we must see. Yesterday we spent the morning on a boat not seen by North Americans or my Eurpoean people or Ozzies for an hour down the nmost beautiful lake in Uganda to a pigmhy Island. We were greeted by the children and when I say we walked up a steep hill for over an hour I mean steep along the edge of this steep slope until we came to a small village. We were entertained by these people by their dancing and singing. This is real guys. Not National Geographic or discovery channel these people probably haven't bathed in their entire lives. A tooth brush is unheard of and to come from where we all come from it takes a bit to git use to the pugent smells. After tomorrow we head back to Kenya ending on Christmas eve in Narobi. Our party will be held at the Hard Rock Cafe in Narobi. Christmas midnight mass for me and on the way again early in the am of christmas for Serringiti for 3 days in the bush for the viewing of the animals once again. The pictures I've taken are unbelievable. Things I've never seen before even hard to explain. to think 7 more countries to go after Kenya. the next email thing won't be until Narobi as again we are going to some other lakes in other campgrounds before I arrive back to Narobi. Have the greatest and healthy of holidays and of course blessed as we are all blessed to be who we are.

Bye for now
Me

Mitch I get to the Uk May 1st I think. Get something in the wind let me know Tenerife?
Lee I lost you the phone kicked out nonething I could do. will talk with you from Kenya I can't tell you the time as I don't know the schedule in a few days.
Kim Forward to Darby please she does not ge the emails.
Jimmie Russ Laura Katie B #2 will try and ring you all Christmas eve. We are 8 hours ahead of you. Expect a c all anytime I can get on the phone box.
Mary S. This is the trip for you.
Everyone else I'm not ignoring you just email me you know how it is.
Lee again can't waite to speak to again. Remeber the where the red fern grows.