Geography Field Trip to the West

Sorry it took so long to upload, but internet has been very slow. I might leave out some details being so late updating the blog, but the big picture will be shown!

I finally got to travel around this beautiful country and venture out with the S6 Geography field trip. It was a three day field trip to the western region of Uganda. I was so excited that I was asked to join, although we were leaving at 5:30 in the morning. But it was well worth it!

Fishery

The trip started by heading into the Queen Elizabeth National Park grounds. Our first stop was at the fishery where we were taught about the practice and lifestyle of the fisherman of the area. We discussed with the head of fisherman department about the types of problems occurring with fishing and the different types of fishing used to catch a variety of fish. One of the biggest problems are the hippos in the area, sinking the boats and killing the fisherman while they are out. They brought out the different types of fish that were caught: catfish, lungfish, etc. They then showed us one of their biggest catches, (I don't have a clue in fishing terms how to identify size, etc.) but this fish could eat me! It was humungous! None of the girls would get anywhere close to it. Amusing to say the least. They then gave us a tour of the boats, nets and other equipment used. The last stop of this portion of the trip was to show how the fish were preserved and where they were then sold. I have gotten to encounter this market before and was very grateful of all the fish bought on my journey home in a packed mutatu, if you recall. (heavy sarcasm)

Water Safari

We then went into the national park, which I can't wait to go back and take everyone who visits there. There was a lot of crazy driving around Lake Albert on our big luxury bus, but we finally stopped to start an awesome day of site seeing on a water safari. I was so lucky during this part of the trip that my family made an appearance to make me feel at home and not alone. It was really sweet of them to even stop and pose for some pictures. I hope you enjoy them! 

Darren made an appearance 

For me, this was by far the best part of the trip. I got to see wild elephants, baboons, water buffalo, cob, alligators and a huge array of beautiful birds.  I was able to get some wonderful pictures being on top of the boat the whole time and truly appreciate the magnitude of these animals. I was a little disappointed I did not get to see a hippo (aka mom) out of the water and was really crossing my fingers to video tape one running, but there is always next time. I know there is hope, because Emily and Ryan went a couple of weeks ago and saw them gnawing on some grass with their youngsters. So I can't wait to go back!

Mom was nice enough to show up

We spent most of our day at the park visiting the visitor's center and seeing different look out points across the lake. The best part of all of this was at the end of the trip when we finally sat down to each some lunch, Chelsey wandered up so daintily and basically sat down beside us all to enjoy our lunch with us! I was so excited! (Of course no one new why, but this is the animal you get when you call yourself Paco and no one else gets to choose theirs!)

The next trip when I go to the park will be an overnight so I can see the lions at dusk or dawn.  The lions will be fantastic, and I am sure frightening. But now I know the good lodges to stay and decent recents to get some local or American grub!

Herds of water buffalo, hippos and elephants

Chelsey (Paco) looked SO beautiful!

The only flamingo breading ground lake in Eastern Africa

The next part of our journey was to the salt mines by the national park. On our way to the mines, we drove past the only lake that flamingos would visit in Eastern Africa. Not only that, but it was a breeding lake for all these flamingos! They were gorgeous. We attempted to get up closer to get better pictures, but they flew away. Under their wings, though, were amazing black markings.

When we got down to the salt mines we got to listen and learn about the turnover of salt pans, the collection of salt rocks and the mud used for beauty products being picked from the pans.

Salt pan, almost ready to pick

Listening to Salt Mining Lesson

Aut was majestic

On the way out of the salt mines, we passed by Austin waving is delicate little hand to me!

That night we stayed in Kasase (the devil's armpit because it is hotter than hot there!) I was actually a lot of fun to stay with the girls that night. All night we watched and listened to music videos as loud as possible until I gave up at 10:30 when the dvd started to repeat itself for the third time. I got to partake in a vegetarian meal because I didn't clarify when I didn't eat meat, I meant I don't eat fish either. This made it a little difficult because they had to make a couple of our meals last so I finally got to eat around 11:30. The girls stayed up blasting their 80 tunes until at least midnight before they headed to bed. I love how some things don't change no matter what country you are in.

Climbing the hill between lakes

The next day we got to venture up to Fort Portal to visit the caves and waterfalls. The caves were about 1 km away from Mister Galen's school so he was fortunate to join us in this part of the trip. When you go to the caves they put together a nice little package for you. All of which I was unaware of. First when they are telling you the history of how the caves came to be, they give an interesting folk story to lure you in. Then they take you hiking up into the hills around Fort Portal to visit the 3 different crater lakes around the grounds. It started off like a nice little hike, we all looked like lemons in our matching uniforms marching to an unknown beat. I loved being at the tail end of it all to take all the pictures. After the second hill, a bunch of girls vetoed the rest of the trip and ventured back to the

Not everyone could make it to the top!

cave site to wait for us. The rest of trooped off to our third and largest hill to concur. Uncle E, our head teach, gave up half way up the hill and trotted back down. But there was no stopping the rest of us. I loved that I was doing this all in flip flops and a skirt, made for some excellent hiking! Alas, we finally made it to the top and got to see the spectacular country side and Rwenzori mountains. (I am running out of descriptive terms, so I might have to start reusing some.)

The girls were thrilled to get to the top, we had a little song and dance and a photo opportunity. (Which if you don't know, Ugandans love to take pictures, but the best part of it is that they hate smiling in them. I keep telling the girls that I won't take pictures of them unless they smile. It only works some of the time, they prefer the Blue Steel look, and who can blame them.) We then had to make our decent to meet with the rest of the troops to go and visit the caves.

I believe this hike was what brought me closest to some of the girls. It was so much fun!

1 of the 3 lakes w/Rwenzori Mts

We then ventured into the caves, which was glorious because we were all dying of heat and sweat. It was a little adventure and we all got to stand under the waterfall to cool off. Again it was a fun photo op for a lot of the girls to work on their poses! They truly never miss a chance. 

That night we went back to Kasese and luckily for me the girls were exhausted from the hike that most ate food at a normal time (8 pm) and went to bed by 10 pm. I was thrilled because all the music booms from below my room at the hotel so I got to go to bed at a decent time!

The next day we traveled out to the Hema Cement plant where we got to tour through the different sections. It was a loud plant so I didn't get to hear much of what was going on...

Getting gear on for the cement factory

The trip ended with a fun bus ride home where there was a lot of chatter and excitement from all the sites we got to visit. We listened to various gangster rap songs, where I taught the girls the "real" meaning (dulled down about 100%) of the songs that they were singing. Very amusing to hear the teachers sing the songs as well. They really need to check the lyrics out. I also taught the girls, although not all singers in America are religious that doesn't mean they are demon worshipers. Also that most Americans don't watch the TV priests as their normal tv show everyday. Let alone watch or follow them at all. The best thing that I taught half the girls is where America actually was and the relative size of their country compared to ours. I was a bit shocked at this because I was on a geography field trip, right?!

All and all and amazing trip, and I am truly blessed to be at the school I am because not many PCVs can go on an all expensed paid field trip to different parts of the country, just because I am new at the school! 

When I get more internet I will be uploading the rest of the pictures from the last month! Trust me, I have not forgotten about my blog!