Tuesday March 11th

Thankfully it didn't take a little flying creature to get me over my writer's block. This time it only took an 8 legged beast and a trip of faith to Kampala.

Last night, I was getting all situated so that I could shut off my light to go to bed, and as I was rearranging my pillows and adjusting, I noticed a huge spider on my mosquito net. Realistically, they should rename the mosquito net to be called "creepy-crawly-flying creature net." This trusty net has kept out mosquitoes, some spiders (especially this big one) and even bats. The spider was luckily on the outside of the net. I mean, there are big spiders in North Dakota, but I don't know what type of spider this was and what it could "do." Also my viewing of "Arachnophobia" a few too many times didn't help the matter any. The sighting of this spider just clarified that the bites that I have been getting while I sleep are not only from ants, but from spiders. Mystery spots solved.

As soon as 6:30 am rolled around, I was off once again to Kampala. The road to Kampala is getting so much better, it's actually quite remarkable. When I first arrived on January 14th, I got so motion sick from swerving in and out and in and out and in and out of all the potholes. And just a few weeks ago, I counted a total of 134 speedbumps placed within the distance of about 2 miles. The construction crews put up speedbumps to hinder drivers from racing through the freshly laid asphalt and rock. Today when I went, the road was so smooth for so long that I felt like I wasn't in Africa anymore.

So, we were about an hour into the 2 1/2 hour drive and my driver takes an unexpected turn off the usual road. I thought, 'Maybe he has to run a quick errand,' or 'maybe he has to talk to someone quickly.' After we had driven for quite a while down this washed out gravel road that I would never imagine taking my car through, I start to get a little skeptical because there was no errand, no friend, or no words from te driver. I have ridden with this driver quite a few time already, but I don't know him that well. How much do I really trust him? We drive and drive on this unfamiliar gravel road for a good half hour. The whole time I am just trying to have faith that I will get to Kampala eventually (and safely.)

Finally, I saw the relieving sight of a paved road. I started to see familiar landmarks and I knew that I could breathe again. I later found out that we had taken a detour because of traffic and construction. Being in a totally different country and having to put my trust in someone to take me to a city where I stick out like a very sore thumb is at times really scary. But that is what faith is for.

I got the shopping done rather quickly and was back to Kasana by around 3 pm. Every hour I get home before sunset I count as a blessing. Oh Kampala, such a necessary city but a stressful one at that.