Live, Learn, Experience: Goodbye

My last two weeks in Uganda were bittersweet. It was really difficult to say goodbye to my friends and especially my host family. Everyone had been so supportive and kind and I will forever be grateful for their hospitality and understanding.

I saw the farmers at Kyango on Thursday and we cleared the field and planted a couple dozen rows of beans. The farmers were very willing workers and were excited to be using the donated seeds from Seeds for Peace. We are all anxious to see how they will grow in the Ugandan climate. As a goodbye and thank you gift, one of the farmers gave me a gorgeous rooster. I was quite a sight walking home with a rooster snuggled up under my arm; especially since most Ugandans carry them upside down by their feet!

On my last day of work, my two supervisors and Hanifah took me out to Plot 99 for a goodbye meal. They presented me with some gifts (a beautiful purse and a certificate of appreciation) that were a great surprise. I had a good time with them and it was a nice way to say goodbye.

My host mom took me for a manicure and pedicure the night before I left Masaka which was a fun little excursion for the two of us. We cooked up my rooster for my final dinner along with rice, potatoes, cabbage, and just a huge plate. It was absolutely delicious. It was one of the best chickens I have ever tasted and it was cooked really well. We even had left over for breakfast!

Fantastic dinner

Enormous breakfast

My flight was early (5am) on Monday so I planned to stay overnight Sunday at the Backpackers in Entebbe. Since most of the kids were in school, we arranged to visit them on Sunday on the way into Kampala. Conveniently, they are all in the same school so we were able to make just the one stop. It was really great to see them again, especially Feli since we hadn't checked in with her since dropping her off at school. She (and Dora and Derrick) seem to be doing great in school; making friends, enjoying classes, and adjusting to boarding school life. We took some photos and I gave them the surprise present I had prepared: a photo album with about 65 photos of the family and I. They loved it and the kids even announced they were going to keep it with them at school. We had a short visit of about twenty minutes or so, took some photos, and then continued on to Kampala.

The drive took awhile but I made it to Entebbe Backpackers around 5pm. I ate a quick dinner and then tried to head to bed early; one, because I had to be up at 2am to drive to the airport, and two because I started a head cold coming on.

Unfortunately the head cold persisted and continued to get infinitely worse with each flight I took on my way back to Canada (which was a total of five...which completely sucked). Luckily I have a saviour for an honorary aunt who put me up in a hotel in Amsterdam for my overnight layover (Citizen M Hotel is really modern and cool! I highly recommend it!) so I could get a halfway proper sleep and good hot shower. I made it back to Vancouver (as did my bags) after an two days of travel and although relieved to finally arrive, I was glad I kept my warm clothes accessible!

And here are a few more photos from my last few days and goodbyes with the family...