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Friday, December 17, 2011 - Arrival in Kampala

By Philippe Lamoise

Chuck, Joanna and I left San Diego on December 15. The flights to Entebbe were uneventful, with connections through Chicago, Brussels, and a brief stop in Kigali (Rwanda). Rotarian Patrick Batumbya from the Kampala North Rotary Club was at the airport to greet us. We arrived late in the evening of December 16, so we went straight to check in at the Namirembe guest house in Kampala, a one hour drive away from the Entebbe airport. This guest house is very quiet with a nice view of Kampala. And cheaper than some of the big hotels I stayed in the past.

On the first day, December 17, Rotarian Herbert Gudugwa from Kampala North Rotary Club took us to exchange some money, and buy some local chips for our cell phones. We now have 3 cell phones with local phone numbers. This will make it easier to communicate with our hosts, and between the team members if we get split at some time. We tried to purchase a USB wireless modem for my computer, but the system was down in the store, so we will have to try again tomorrow. See Herbert, Joanna and Chuck having lunch at the guest house on the right.

In the afternoon, we learned we were invited to a wedding reception in the evening. This was for Emmanuel and Angela, the daughter or PDG Francis Tusubira (Tusu), our main project contact in the Kampala North Rotary Club. Chuck had asked me a day before departure if he needed to pack a jacket and tie, and I had told him I would take a jacket and tie for myself (as the team leader), but he would not need it. Ooops! That's what Amanda said in the video, we have to expect the unexpected! So the three of us went there dressed as we could. This was a wonderful event at the Serena Hotel near Lake Victoria in Entebbe. We had a great time, enjoyed some local beers, and met many local people, Rotarians or not. On the left, the bride is having the first dance with her father.

While we were at the reception, Herbert was picking up the second part of our team at the airport: Geoff, Amanda and Shelly. I asked him to call us when they arrived, so I spoke to Amanda, and told her they had missed a special welcome reception in our honor, with music, 200 guests, etc., with bride and groom provided…

We drove back from the reception, and arrived at the guest house 15 minutes before the second batch of travelers, and were glad to be reunited. 6 of us are here safe of sound. Annslie will join us in a week.