“If you want to vomit please make use of a newspaper or bag which we can provide. Please do not remain quiet if you want to relieve yourselves. We can help you. Animals are not permitted on the bus, so when we get to Kigumba chickens cannot be brought on board, and you are not allowed to buy fish at Pachwach.
Our lives are given to us so that we can glorify God, and so would someone offer to pray for travelling mercies?”
It was a heartfelt, practical and altogether sincere start to our journey with the excellent GaaGaa Bus Company, from Kampala to Arua. The journey is about 250 miles, but whilst the final stretch is on well-made and well-marked roads, the first part is seriously pot-holed, bone-shaking and, if you’re that way inclined, vomit-inducing. Nevertheless, 6¼ hours later at 12.45 pm, our prayers answered - God is faithful - we were safely off-loaded at Kuluva, together with five of our six items of luggage where we were met by Paul, the the Kuluva School of Nursing driver. Two of our three cases were coated with a slightly damp white fluid which had clearly oozed from some companion baggage. We still don’t know what it is, but the cases now look truly well-travelled and I think that, in time, we could become quite fond of their unique markings. It’ll certainly make them more identifiable on airport carousels and ensure that no-one wants to steal them.
Kuluva Hospital is 9km outside Arua, and we have been given a little 2-bedroom house where we’ll be living for the next three years. Wildlife is in evidence, with Tantalus Monkeys to entertain us on our veranda, stunningly beautiful butterflies, but all accompanied by a constant battle against armies of ants which besiege the house. We are waging war on them with Doom Fast-Kill Insect Killer. At present we seem to be winning, but somehow I doubt whether we will in the long run!
“Look to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” (Proverbs 6.6)
6 comments:
Well - I'll never complain about Supertram again. Although (an unworthy thought) I sometimes think that at 8am, with a tramful of All Saints students they DO allow animals to travel! And they don't provide sickbags or offer to stop if you need the loo!
Sorry about the ants.Termites are worse. You'll defeat them I'm sure. I enjoyed having more details of the trip. I think you were very intrepid travellers. Michael Palin has nothing on you! I have a feeling the monkeys are colobus (that's if they are black and white).
This is my first attempt at communicating with a Blog! Enthralling stuff - it makes the minutiae of Rossington seem minute.
Regards
Roy V
Monkeys make a change of squirels - both are cute to watch! Glad the lost luggage arrived. Perhaps you can start a new trend in designer luggage! Could do with some guidance onto how to log on to blogsites - took me a while to work it out- but then you know me slowly slowly catchee monkey!
Ann Gray
10 September
Im glad to hear you have arrived safely at your destination and new home. I enjoyed your blog, its lovely to hear your day to day news, it is a million miles from life in Sheffield! Sounds as if your new life will not be boring...! Keep the blog updates coming!
Claire x
Hi there - I'm travelling to Arua from Kampala in December... how would I get hold of the Gaagaa bus company, or others that do that route? would appreciate some info, thanks!
Susan
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