Taxi Ride to the Village Market
My flight did not leave until 3pm this afternoon. With AeroLink Uganda’s superior customer service they radioed the lodge not only to confirm I would be ready but to confirm they were still coming. It amazes me how so many other countries with fewer resources can so easily outperform the U.S. and we don't even know it is happening.
Knowing everything was set with my flight I walked down to the local village again. This time a few people recognized me and said “Hi”. I talked to the guy who was drying out his maize last time and asked about the market that was 4 kilometers away where he sold it. He then asked if I wanted to go. I jumped at the opportunity and replied with an enthusiastic “Yes” as I love visiting local markets. I was under the impression that I would be going with him, however he flagged over some guy on a motorbike and the next thing I knew I was negotiating a price. We settled on 3,000 Shillings, or about $1.50 USD. Before I could fully understand and evaluate the situation, I was on the back of a motorbike of some guy I just meet heading to a village that I had no idea where it was. I once rode on the back of a motorbike through the streets of Hanoi, so how bad could this be? And why not, I already saw the gorillas and chimpanzees.
This seems like more than 4 kilometers, but maybe it’s just the bumpy roads.
We got to the market and he asked for his money. I had misunderstood that this was only a one way trip and that he would not be waiting for me. I paid him and he took off. I would worry about my return trip later, I was feeling alive and wanted to start exploring the village and market.
This was a place that I did not want any trouble and would be on my best behavior. Meaning the cameras stayed out of sight until I wanted to take a picture, at which point I asked first. Sometimes they said “No”, other times they asked for money, and when they said “Yes” without asking for money I took the shot. The local electronics repair department.
The machete department.
Beautiful views.
I’m pretty sure I came from over there someplace.
It was euphoric, this is what life is about, being a little scared, being out of place, but talking with the locals, growing and learning. Being able to buy unrefined salt.
This was a little confusing as those looked like very nice hinges however I could not find a door in the village that would have been worthy of them.
I found someone making sandals out of old tires but he would not let me take a picture of them. However a teenage girl came up to me and asked if she could take a picture of me using her cell phone. There is no infrastructure for cables but it’s easy to put up a cell tower and most have some kind of cell phone. I had this happen before in Myanmar and it’s a clear sign they don’t see too many Mzungu or white people here. I told her I would be honored to have her take my picture, which she did. However my face did not show up so she made me take off my hat and took another picture. This one worked out and I could not be happier for the experience. This is what it is all about, it's the simple things that matter. I fell in love with Uganda, its beauty, its people, its place in the world, we can learn a lot from it. The local seamstress.
I then checked out the local butcher.
Tomorrow’s slaughter.
OK, I should probably start figuring out a way to get back to Ndali.
That looks like a taxi stand over there.
I talked to them and was glad to hear that they not only knew where Ndali Lodge was but would also charge me the same 3,000 Shillings. And just like that I was on the back of another motorbike of a guy I just met heading back to the lodge, this time I had no worries on where I was going or if I would arrive there or not.
Back at the lodge I took a few more pictures before Fred and I would head back to the airstrip.
The AeroLink Uganda plane arrived in no time, I said good bye to Fred and climbed aboard the plane. Looks like another bumpy ride to Entebbe.
I would have one last night in Uganda before flying out early in the morning.
Tonight I would be staying at the Boma Guesthouse. An AeroLink Uganda employee stayed with me until we found my driver, which again just blew me away. The Boma had a bed, a fan, free transportation to and from the airport, and cheap Nile Specials.
Tomorrow would be my fourth time at the Entebbe airport and it would be the start of my two day journey to Maun, Botswana. My trip was one third complete and if it ended here I would have been totally satisfied, having no idea the amazing events that would come.
VIDEO: Uganda - Day 6 - Village Market