28.01.10

Blimey, I am so tired this evening. This is going to have to be a short
one. I am so very very sleepy. I think I am not sleeping overly well at
night, and I forgot to ask for a new pillow again today so I can either
awkwardly ask in a minute before I go to bed, or put up with the pillow
the size of a mountain again. It really is very thick, and not pliable
really. I wake up with a bit of a head dent but it's just too much, and
the bed isn't really soft enough to go without. *sigh* I almost bought
my emirates pillow with me, but between us Hannah and I decided it
wasn't needed. Hmph, always the way.

So today not much happened. I have a PLAN. For how we're going to tackle
the museum. And I'm going to have at least three students helping me
from next week, and possibly some of the archive staff. It's a rather
daunting task, as it will probably take several months for it to be done
properly. I should probably discuss with Matt on whether he wants it
done properly or just done as best we can and then our involvement
finished asap. I think I can guess where his opinion will lie.

This morning I decided to walk to the museum. I left late, so by the
time I had been walking for about 45mins I decided to accept the ride
from a boda boda who offered for only 1000 UGsh. It was my first boda
boda experience. Quite exciting. I sat side saddle, as I'd seen many
ladies doing, because I was wearing a skirt and didn't want to straddle
some strange guy rather inappropriately. Anyway, he was very nice, and
it was really only a short distance to the musuem that way, but it would
have taken a lot longer on foot. Tomorrow I shall try walking it again,
and I might have to forgoe breakfast as the guy hadn't arrived by the
time I wanted to leave this morning. I have many biscuits. Or biscwits
as the ugandan guys trying to sell them on the streets say (reminds me
of Ignacio). So anyway, boda boda experience was fun. I might do it
again tomorrow. I was shaking from the adrenaline when I arrived at the
museum. I think next time I'll wear trousers and sit properly!

So I also had to come back this afternoon via a foreign exchange bureau.
I caught the shared taxi into town, saying I wanted to stop at Kampala
Road and we went yet another strange route into town. Just as we were in
sight of Kampala Road (I could see the Crane bank building) the driver
pulled into the side after going past some police, and backed up into a
space. So the police woman was checking some stuff with him, and then
she walked away and someone else said they wanted to get off, so when he
opened the door I got off as well, and just as I did the police woman
came up again and tried to usher me back on the bus. I said 'no I was
only going here' and she said I was free to go, and then I think she
made everyone else stay on and she got on as well. I'm not entirely sure
what was going on, as I speak no Bugandan, but a similar thing happened
to Sarah in Eldoret in Kenya. Apparently they were very big on wearing
seatbelts or something, and they also check matatus for illegal people
or something. Anyway, they basically arrested the whole matatu but
allowed Sarah and the guys she was with to get off. So I'm quite glad I
got off when I did anyway, and I think I shall avoid travelling on the
in the future. Although I did take another one back to the hostel
afterwards, and I even got off in the right place this time.

So yes, those are my stories for today. Kampala is very hot. My feet
swelled up most attractively within hours of arriving and have pretty
much stayed that way all the time. I'm not expecting it to change any
time soon. Also my mint choc bars melted upon arrival, as it seems has
my face cream, and I am expecting the same from my vaseline although
fingers crossed it might still be useable.

I had a shower at about 6.30 tonight and am now basically just waiting
up in the hope that my hair dries before going to bed. Also I met
another Jessica. Or Jessie. And what is it about men who are travelling
who feel the need to grow the biggest beards they possibly can?