Luxuries

Yesterday we left Jinja around 7am, which meant we were up around 5:30. It was a long day, which included a order crossing, which always adds time.

When we leave Uganda, we all pile off the bus and fill out a form and get an exit stamp, wait around a bit, then pile back on the bus, and when we get to the Kenya order we all pile out again, fill out another form, pay $50 and get a visa, wait a bit more and pile back on the bus.

We arrived into the town of el Doret about 3 and set up and tents and went down to the bar by the pool. Most free time at camp is spent sitting around at the bar having a drink, so many Smirnoff ice have been consumed so far. Usually at least one before dinner and one after.

It was the last night of the tour for 10 of our travelers, so we had a meal prepared for us in the bar, which meant we didnt have to do any prep, or washing up. And getting to sit at a table, instead of eating off your lap is quite a luxury these days.

When I was packing for this adventure, I said - travel pillow, no room for that! I'll just ball up some clothes and put it in a pillow case. So that's what I've been doing. But now, one girl has four pillows (from other travellers who have already left) and I mentioned I didn't have one, so she has loaned me one. Laying my head down last night was amazing. This trip is an excellent reminder of all those little luxuries. Being able to get up and go pee in the night without being chased by wild dogs, etc.

We had a couple after dinner drinks and a group photo. It was a bit sad. It's strange, because it is people that you've only known for 10 days or so, and you will never see again, but they are also the people that you saw a mountain gorilla with, and people who like you can spend hours talking about a destination without getting bored, and people who are planning their next adventure, while still enjoying this one. These are my kind of people.

This morning we were up a about 530 again, tents down, breakfast made, and we packed sandwiches for lunch. We headed off at 7 and at about 12 we stopped at a small grocery store, and a small shop with neat African arts and crafts. We continued on to nairobi, and about 2 we arrived and dropped off some of our group. My tentmate headed off. We continued on to our campsite, outside of the city. We've sent our tents up, and dinner should be ready in about an hour. Tomorrow morning we will pick up 14 more travellers, get a new truck, and a new guide and crew. So lots will change tomorrow. It's like the merging of tribes in survivor.

A few of us just walked to a small mall a short distance from camp. Me and June spent an hour or so at a little cafe and I had an amazing sundae. It's a lovely experience to sit down and order what you'd like.

Tomorrow we are off to cross into Tanzania, and will arrive into Arusha. From there we will head off to Serengeti and ngorongoro crater for the weekend. No power out there, so it may be next week by the time I am online again. Enjoy your weekend - hopefully its warming up!

PS - everyone has been concerned I was actually holding a child in my previous post, and there have been some comments that I may be becoming maternal. Don't worry, tis not the case. Even the most non maternal (me), can't just ignore an orphan staring up at you and holding up their arms. They just smile and stare at you. They hold both your hands at the same time, so they don't have to share you. Three thousand children a day die in Africa from malaria.
There classrooms are empty. Only the teachers have one notebook. The kids are amazed by even a simple elastic. These sort of children are much easier for me to enjoy, rather than the sort that run circles around our office eating our brochure stamp. But thats just me.

Anywho, much love to you all. Can't wait to show you the rest of the pictures and tell you about all the adventures!