Day 2!

Saturday May 19^th 11:45 pm

The cranes and other birds keep waking us up around 4:30 and then it’s stop and go sleep until the alarm goes off. This morning we loaded the bus around 7:45 and went back to MUBS for breakfast. Godfrey was also there with some of his artwork and we were able to purchase some souvenirs and gifts. Food wise it was pretty similar to what we ate yesterday, biscuits, banana, and there was even some cereal. I’m not going to lie, I’m not a huge fan of the food we are eating but I guess it could be worse.

After breakfast, we loaded the bus to go to our first lecture and listen to Patrick Bitature speak on entrepreneurship. He is one of the richest men in Africa and we went to one of his hotels, which is one of his numerous different businesses. He started the telecom business in Uganda so he is responsible for bring the mobile phone industry here. He also owns hotels, insurance, and is looking to start a commercial farming industry in Northern Uganda. Even though the business world is so out of my realm, I found it really interesting how he worked his way from nothing to be quite successful and just the concept of entrepreneurship in Uganda interesting. He is definitely making strides to provide more sustainable and profitable jobs for the citizens. The hotel provided us with some refreshments after and I had some hot chocolate, samosas, and really really good bread.  

It was then back on the bus and back to MUBS for lunch. Lunch was literally identical to yesterday, matooke, rice, noodles, and chicken. I barely ate anything because I wasn’t really hungry and it just isn’t nearly that appetizing. Our next stop was the Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine. The lady who was giving the tour at the first location was extremely difficult to understand, but essentially they celebrate Martyr’s day on June 3^rd to honor those who shed their blood because of their Christian faith. We saw the locations the believed the burnings took place and also what they believe to be the home of the executioner. We then made our way down to a well that they believe is exceptionally holy water. However, I think our whole group was much more interested in the absolutely adorable and precious little boy we met. We then traveled just up the road to the shrine. Here we got some of the same history and also saw a church where beneath the altar they believe to be a bone from one of the people who was executed. The other thing we got to experience while at the shrine was peeing in a hole. Let me tell you, not something I necessarily need to experience again. Although it wasn’t the most interesting thing in the world, I feel as though I learned something about the Ugandan culture and religion. Apparently June 3^rd is a huge day for them and people often walk for weeks to come to the locations we visited today. It is also the location that two popes have visited at one point, which seemed to be a very big deal to them.

After finishing with the shrines we got to go see Arthur, the dean of MUBS, farm. The first thing we were greeted with when we got off the bus were twin, Prince and Praise, one year olds. I got to hold Prince for quite some time. Although he drooled all over my shirt I was literally in love and seriously considered trying to bring him home with me. That baby was probably one of the highlights of my trip so far; the kids here just absolutely melt my heart. Once I had to turn the baby back over we saw where they milk the cows and learned a little more about how he and his family sustain the farm. He then invited us down to his home that he just completed building.

We had to trek a half a kilometer to his house and let me tell you, sidewalks do not exist anywhere here. When they say we are going to be doing a lot of walking they more so mean hiking, so despite the fact that we were all absolutely exhausted we climbed and trekked to his home. Here, he and his family fed us some fresh fruit – watermelon, jackfruit, pineapple, and bananas. They followed with the main dinner course of sandwiches and fried bananas. We also got to try some Ugandan beer; it was just okay.

Following dinner we had some time to just hang out and get to know the MUB students more. Several of us started playing the name game that Jesca introduced us to and the next thing we know almost everyone was playing, even Arthur’s kids. When someone messed up they had to do a punishment, we had everything from cultural dances, to singing Call Me Maybe, to writing your name with your butt. Prof. Root had to write his name and Michael taught Dr. Bishop to dougie. It provided a lot of good laughs and some really good bonding opportunities. We then began to play train wreck, where one person stands in the middle and says something about themselves. If you agree or have a similarity than you have to get up and rush to find another chair. One of the funniest moments was probably when Prof. Root completely wiped out, sprawled out on the ground, then popped up and still got a chair. These games lasted quite some time and we ended up being there longer than we had anticipated. Before we knew it, it was 10:30 and time to trek back to the bus so we can be up and ready for our day at the equator tomorrow.

Good night!
~Mary