Famous Last Words!

Ok, not really... but this will be my last blog before coming home. I seriously cannot believe that this is my last full day in Gulu. I am quite sad. We leave for Murchenson Falls tomorrow at 2:00, will safari on Sunday morning and drive the dreadfully bumpy road back to Kampala in the afternoon. It's gonna suck! We will spnd one night in Kampala at Backpackers Hostel and then off to Jinja where we will raft down the Nile and for the brave - bungee jumping! I will be brave that day as it is one of the few (three?) places in the world you can still legally jump and touch the water.

I am wondering around the town on Gulu for now quietly reflecting and sucking down a Splash juice box - orange flavor. I'm not sure what to write about my time here... I'm much better at storytelling in person. Besides, the power is not here, hasn't been here for two days and internet is expensive because it is being run by generators. I will tell you this:

My trip here has been amazing and I have found myself comfortable here, even developing a routine that will be hard to shake. I will miss my school, my American roomates that are now my family and my new Ugandan friends. There is a happiness here that seeps into you - even through the stories of war and troubled times. I'm excited to come back and find a new place to live and start the school year, but this place will not be easy to leave. I will see you all soon with tons of pics and stories enough to drive you nuts. (750 at last count - but i won't make you sit through them all - I'll give you the 'good parts version') Wish you all could see the sky here today, it is open and full of cotton clouds like the ocean after a storm. I will see you all soon, hopefully over margaritas and mexican food! love you all! Jo

Dave - I would love to discuss the crazy arabic keyboards here and the trouble with typing at an internet cafe in Uganda, but I only have 6 minutes left. I can't wait to see you and exchange stories, hope Ireland and rugby were grand! WE need a dive bar hop soon!

oh... i have a confession

Ok... so I posted my last blog and a few days later I was looking through my pics and realized I lied to you all! I wasn't actually wearing my crocs for the big hike... I forgot I changed right before we went up. I wore my running shoes instead. Don't hate me... I still wear my crocs on a daily basis. They still rock.

Today is Monday and we got back yesterday from a Rhino Sanctuary. We hiked out to stand 35ish feet from 5 of them! It was like the Wild Animal Park with no gates, bars or being in the tram. It was kinda awesome, but hte ride was about an hour and a half longer then we expected. My butt was so numb! I am walking into the market to pick up a few things and my skirt i had made. I am not teaching this week because the Senoir 4 girl have O level exams. I am going to sit in on some other classes, observe the teaching college and primary school. (i feel like i wrote that last time?)

I joined our girls today to wash clothes and last night a few of us helped make chipati (like tortillas!) I can't believe it's only 10 days left. My tile is quickly running out yet again and i want to post a few pics. Love you all! Joyce, I had a stand up shower yesterday and actually used conditioner! You're right, can't wait for the bath... I'll be washing red dirt off of me for weeks!

See you in 10 days! love jo