At the end, you return to the beginning.

Tuesday, July 15th and I have no idea where to start.

Perhaps the beginning would be most fitting...

“It is a surreal world I am living in,” I wrote on the 16th of April, “I have to tell myself over and over that before I know it I will open my eyes and find myself underneath a mosquito net. Perhaps the countdown is an attempt to wrap my head around this all. Never before have I gone so far, leaving so much behind.”

This morning I awoke yet again to find myself beneath a mosquito net. As the haze of sleep cleared from my mind, I found it drifting once more to that looming countdown. Much as before I left, it has consumed my thoughts as the day draws nearer and nearer. As of today, I have five days left here in Uganda. The thought is bittersweet.

Two and a half months ago, my thoughts were much like they are now. I was positively thrilled to depart, but the uncertainty of what sort of world I would find myself in made me slightly nervous. But this is an unfamiliar anticipation I find myself with now. Never before have I been uncertain as to what to expect by going back home. There is no question that living here in Uganda has changed me and the way I view the world. I then wonder, will going back change me back? I somehow doubt that it will. And yet, will my home feel quite like home? As I think about life in Canada, I know that there are aspects of the culture I will certainly struggle with. People will surely look at me strange if I reach to hold their hand as I walk beside them, or when I sit directly beside them on a couch with seemingly plenty of room. And I doubt it will go over well if I stroll in half an hour late for everything. These are habits to which I have grown accustomed.

At the same time, however, there is so much about home that I can hardly wait for. I am so lucky to live where I do, in that returning home will not leave me missing the stunning landscape, great people, and laid back lifestyle – I get all of that from the Island. I can’t wait to play tourist in the place I grew up, taking day trips out to Tofino, down to Victoria, and riding my bicycle out to Coombs. (Is anyone with me?) I have plans to go to Calgary, to go to the Radiohead concert, and am excited for my birthday. So although I will miss Uganda, I have so much to look forward to. I have jokingly coined my recently acquired mixed nationality as Uganadian.

As I write, I am sitting in the Backpacker’s Hostel in Kampala. Mike and I said our goodbyes to Mbarara on Saturday, and left the following morning on the early bus. We made the decision to come to the capital city a few days early to get started on writing our reports in a different setting and to take some time to get our heads wrapped around going home. In comparison to Mbarara, Kampala is a bustling metropolitan core. The hostel has a constant flow of white faces, and the music is reminiscent of home – (they even had Radiohead on yesterday!) It has been beneficial even after two days. The change of setting has us shifting gears and getting ready to go. It’s the final leg of our trip, and being here has us fully aware that we are close to the finish line.
It has also been wonderfully fun to meet new people and just relax. Last night, Mike and I met two really cool guys – one was travelling from Amsterdam, here visiting family (Jon), and the other works here at the hostel (Frankie). The four of us, the last ones up, broke into a jam session with Frankie playing guitar, Jon (who is actually a DJ at a huge club in Amsterdam) beat boxing and impressing us with his reggae skills, Mike rapping, and me (the hippy I am) playing a drum and singing. It was one of the greatest moments of my life.

And, I may have mentioned to some of you, but as a rather hilarious side note: last week I was bit by a monkey and am now on anti-rabies treatment. I wish I could say it was all for some crazy reason, but the monkey was just the pet of a friend who suddenly turned aggressive. The money has had all of its shots, so the anti-rabies is just precautionary. Everyone I tell here thinks it’s hilarious, and apparently it’s very rare. I guess it’s just another thing to tick off the list of things to do before I die – #632: Get attacked by a monkey...check!

I will sign off for now but, with all the free time I have here, I will probably write again before retuning home. I now feel justified in saying ‘see you all soon!!’

My love and best wishes,

Linds.