Lake Victoria

Top photo is the Mulago hospital - the government hospital in Kampala. It is a sprawling rambling huge all inclusive structure. The clinic i work in is on the campus but in a separate building. There are many buildings on the campus.

We took a day trip to Lake Victoria yesterday. It is only a 20 minute taxi ride. As part of the apartments we are currently staying in, we have free access to a huge pool at a hotel by Lake Victoria. It was pretty spectacular. I will try to attach a photo of the lake. This is just one small bay....it is quite large. Talapia is the main fish that people eat from there. I have yet to try it but it looked the size of a large bass. The ecosystem of the lake has changed radically over the years with introduced species and lage scale sewage polution and therefore algae growth. There are lage Nile perch that live in the lake - can be about 6 feet long. There are supposed to be beautiful islands to visit in the lake - sesse islands. Will have to do that sometime soon. Also the headwaters of the Nile start east of Kampala in Jinja.

The city of Kampala is great. Very friendly people, safe to walk around in. Everyone is extremely welcoming to us and happy we are here. The city is very dynamic with lots of non-govermental organizations, restaurants, shops, hotels, street vendors etc. Diesel is also very popular which can be a little much if you are walking behind a large truck! Motorcycle taxis are also very frequent - called boda bodas. I have not hopped on one yet and will likely steer clear of them. Being a bit of a scooter/motorcylce fanatic it is had not to join in on the chaos and buy a scooter! Apparently there is a YMCA where outdoor basketball is played - a league. I may have to try it out - not too far of a walk from my apt.

Tried some traditional food today - boiled bannanas (the kind that taste like potatoes not sweet) with groundnut (peanut) sauce, cornmeal, beans, chicken (seriously free range, in fact the chickens may actually lift weights based on they way eric's teeth were straining) or fish is a traditional meal. It was pretty good - i didn't eat the chicken...

I miss everyone but am enjoying my experience thus far. Ready for Angela to arrive! Hopefully soon but no good word on the house yet.