Arrival

3 flights, 2 taxis, a bus and a boat
We arrive after 30 long hours,
And hike to our hut at the top of the hill
Just ahead of the afternoon showers!

Although the journey here was long and tiring, it all went relatively smoothly. There was enough leg-room on all the flights for Steve's extra long pins; we managed to sweet-talk the customs lady OUT of taxing us for the 40 pairs of plimsolls we were carrying; we bartered a good price for the airport taxi at 4 am to take us the 45km to Kampala, AND help get us tickets for the 8 hour bus ride to Kabale - the nearest town, (which after waiting 2 hours for it to fill was actually 10 hours). There were no traffic accidents end route and the bus dropped bus right outside the hotel, all bags still in tow!

After a leisurely start the next morning we took a 30 minute taxi to the "landing point" at Lake Bunyonyi, where we were met by Stephen from the village who accompanied us across the lake.

We met Edison on the other side, who greeted us like long lost friends, even though we'd only met him for a few hours, 18 months before. Between us all we carried all our bags up the long, steep hill.

The new shoes we brought as a gift for Edison fit him very well!
The village is a proper community, and everybody helps each other. They have all been working hard to get our hut finished, with the last of the preparations finished the morning we arrived. It is very comfortable, with two beds and mosquito nets. The villagers are aware we are coming to stay and help out, and they bring gifts of eggs, beans, potatoes, and passion fruit to our hut, carrying them on baskets on their heads.

Gerard is the cook, and prepares delicious meals, cooking everything over an open fire in a hut similar to ours. There is no electricity or running water, and we feel a little like pioneers being the very first Mzungu (foreigners) to ever stay here! We have a solar panel and light in our hut. Edison is eager to finish the other two huts so he can encourage more visitors/volunteers to come and stay.

The children come by slowly, to look at the strange people staying in their village. Some are very shy, some not at all. They are still on Christmas holiday until 22nd so we shall meet them all properly then.

We have bought a local chip to have internet, but it won't work, so today we have travelled to a posh resort with Stephen, but the electricity keeps cutting out so it has taken all afternoon to write this!
Please be patient - this story will unfold at the African pace of life - very slowly!