The end of last week was capped with a bittersweet goodbye
from my family. Having seen some familiar faces (from home) was a good reminder
of how valuable friend and family is back in the states. Giving hugs and thanks
at the Entebbe airport, I informed my worried mother that I would be home in no
time. As they disappeared into the long queue for security, I went to flag down
a taxi, which would return me to my Ugandan home. For the duration of the
forty-five minute drive, the highlights from the previous eight days were on
play in my head – the hotels, Lake Mburo, Gorilla trekking, and the Ubumwe
Community Center.
On the night of my family’s arrival we went straight to the
hotel. Walking into the hotel room, the feeling of ritzy masked my feeling of
happiness. Having spent so much time here (in Uganda), I nearly felt my
accommodations were too overwhelming for what I have deemed as ‘comfortable’
for the past five months. Trying to block out the high-tech gadgets around me,
I merely embraced the mosquito net-free bed and quickly fell asleep.
The first two days spent, on the brief holiday, was out and
about in Kampala. Other than having the great pleasure of listening to my
family rant on about the unbearable African heat, much of the time was spent
showing them around my neighborhood. The family seemed to have enjoyed the
visit to my compound, seeing the SWB center, and participating in the kid’s
training session; all of which were on their ‘highlights’ list by the end of
the trip. I cannot begin to describe how great a feeling it was to be able to
share something with someone (in person), rather than trying to describe the
experience over the phone. The days in Kampala ran by quite rapidly and our
journey took us towards western Uganda.
Entering the park at Lake Mburo was ever so exciting, thanks
to the unexpected greeting of a family of warthogs, impala, and topei. A
thrilling forty-five minute game drive through the park preceded our arrival at
the Mihingo Lodge. The lodge sits on top of a large hill, overlooking a
watering hole that was surrounded by zebra, impala, buffalo, and warthogs.
Large tents sitting on tall platforms, supported by stilts, provided any guest
with an amazing view and a ‘camp-like’ experience. Having to only fear the
friendly snack-hungry monkeys, who might rip into your tent at night, allowed
me to undoubtedly declare the Mihingo Lodge as THE place to stay (in Uganda).
With a full docket the following day, one night and an early departure were all
we were able to enjoy at the utterly relaxing lodge.
The first half of the next day was spent in the car heading
to Rwanda’s Volcano National Park, where we would be trekking for gorillas.
Having heard Rwanda was a very clean and safe country, I was eager to see what
some of my friends had been raving about. The crossing of the border, and
observing my initial glimpses of Rwanda, was as climactic as I imagined it –
cleanly paved roads with proper roadside gutters, driving on the right side of
the road, the foliage completely green, and the people full of smiles. Not
trying to be critical of Uganda’s landscape or people, but maybe the
government, Rwanda just seemed to have more money and strive to please their
people and guests in any way they can.
Soon after crossing the border we reached our day’s
destination – Jack Hanna’s house. My family had the great privilege of working
with the Columbus Zoo on multiple occasions, resulting in some meetings and
collaborations with Mr. Hanna. Once we were all settled in, a group of students
working on protecting the gorillas welcomed us into Rwanda with a traditional
tribal dance that we proudly participated in, and wished us best of luck when
trekking the gorillas.
The following day started very early as we made our way to
the Volcano National Park. Following a short briefing, we commenced our hike
towards where the gorillas were supposed to be hanging out. After nearly a mile
hike into ‘the bush’, the canopy opened up and we were able to spot some
members of the gorilla family. The baby was struggling to climb up the tree,
two females were hanging out high up in the largest tree, and the 200 kilogram
Silverback was taking lunch; his daily consumption of leaves is roughly 17
kilograms. Halfway through our visit with the enormous primates, rain began to
fall and we were forced to casually take cover with the gorillas. We all found
ourselves within a few meters of the giant Silverback, merely staring in awe at
this gentle giant. Only given an hour for visiting with the gorillas, we made
our way through the flooded bush and drove back to the Hanna house. After
cleaning up, we drove to Gisenyi to stay the night at a hotel, in order to be
near our next planned activity.
The next morning was a very special one for my family and I,
because we were visiting the Ubumwe Community Center – a place we have
sponsored for many years, thanks from the help through the Columbus Zoo (and
Jack Hanna). The two men that run the center are genocide victims, and wanted
to use their second chance to help people in need. Blind, deaf, mentally
disabled, and physically handicapped children and adults make up the majority
of daily faces around the center. Classes and food are provided daily for
everyone, and a large area in front of the center plays host to all
sport-related and recess-like games. Being able to see the capabilities of all
the students kept me in awe, knowing they overcame adversity to live a
lifestyle they deem comfortable and joyous. Having to reach our next
destination by nightfall, we had to say our goodbyes to everyone at the center,
and hope to see them sooner than later. I would love to return there before my
departure back to the states, so I could set up a daylong football (soccer)
clinic, providing the kids and adults a surge of fun they do not typically
receive daily.
Two days later I found myself where this entry began, at the
airport saying farewell to the family members fortunate enough to visit me; I
was very grateful for their visit, even though I hoped it was longer. The trip
was filled with new sights, adventures, and people, all of whom none of us (on
the trip) will never forget.
