21 May
Nile Safari and Dance Day
Today was our free day in Uganda to get to explore a little bit. We got up pretty early to drive to Lake Victoria National Park and all I can say is best.drive.ever. It was a whole lot of dance party with 80s music, Aladdin, and some awesome 90s rap music. The drive was one of the most beautiful of the week and 2 hours of it was actually in the park. We drove to the edge of the lake to take our riverboat tour to Murchison Falls. I had heart that we would see a lot of animals but really did not expect to see as many as we did. There were so many hippos, elephants, and nile crocodiles and they were so close to us. Meryl and I rode on top of the boat, just sitting up there, taking pictures, trying to drink it all in. I got some truly amazing pictures of the animals- trying to capture the sheer beauty of where we were. I think it is evidence of God's creation- Meryl asked if Africa was this beautiful, how unbelievable would Eden have been. It literally looked like something out of an incredible movie set but so much better. The sheer wildness of it all was enthralling and exhilarating- so lush and untouched by man. To think that anyone would ever see it and not be moved by its beauty is absolutely unbelievable. I will say that the crocodile sort of lunging at our boat was pretty terrifying but would could say they saw a nile crocodile that close? The falls were amazing, even at the distance we could get to. The boat ride was absolutely amazing and the sort of thing you never want to come to an end because on it you feel utter contentment and closeness with God. The consolation is that driving back we got to finally see babboons and lots of them. Too bad they are terrified of humans but I did manage some pictures. When we got back we went to some craft stores to get souveneirs. I was able to get a lot of necklaces from Joann from the hotel to give to people. She is so sweet and king and also a student so I wish I could have bought more. I love sitting outside the hotel waiting for dinner right after it rains because it is always so cool and peaceful. After dinner, the Masinidi Cultural Center came to play and dance for us. They are so talented and words can't describe how they move. They pulled us up and I got to dance with them wearing traditional dress. It was the coolest thing I have ever done by far. They make it look so easy but really it is so difficult to learn. Thankfully, they were very gracious in teaching us and not laughing at our inherent Muzungu-ness. I got to dance with Mr. Jimmy and Fred0 definitely a highlight of the trip! Mr. Jimmy is just so sweet and dear and I can't imagine this trip without him. Saying goodbye to him was one of the hardest parts- hoping that I would get to see him again sooner rather than later. He gave us bracelets that he made and I nearly cried. I feel like this whole experience has been so emotionally draining and filling at the same time but little things like that mean the most. The sweet little smiles of the kids. The hugs. The not wanting to leave to know it will be a while until I can return- that is the hardest part.
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