CKV family visit

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.