Week II - Day 2

Jinja - Tuesday 7/25

The road to Jinja starts out very dusty and bumpy. Along the way we passed many fruit & vegetable stands as well as wood/craft markets and welding shops...the Ugandans make the most beautiful and elaborate metal gates and windows. Anyway, once past the busy city, the road changed to a more smooth ride and we saw tea and sugar cane plantations for miles. As we passed by the plantations, I couldn’t help but think about how Africans throughout the diaspora have experienced similar working conditions be it by force or free will. Seeing the plantations reminded me of the South; especially Louisiana.

Once past the plantations, Mabira forest began! Walled in on both sides by green, the ride took on an intensely magical mood due to the shroud of mist in the air and the variety of trees never before seen at heights never before imagined; awe-inspiring indeed. And on this road, there were less boda-boda but more lorries…think mac trucks driving at speeds at least 65mph! Very difficult to pass them up.

Upon entering the city of Jinja also known as “The Source of The Nile”, we actually crossed over the Nile River. We drove all the way to the source but, before getting there, we stopped to meet the parents of a friend of ours and an Aspire Public Schools employee, Naomi Nunez.

Mama and Papa Nunez run a bible training school, “Kingdom Life Training Center”. They provide instruction to nearby village ministers on how to teach biblical lessons, run the finances of a church, and lead a flock. We were happy to meet them and take a tour of their facility. Thanks Naomi for suggesting we visit!

Now…to THE source of the Nile. The birds, the water, the tour…fan-freaking-tastic!! We got on a boat that took us out to the actual place where the river begins. We could see the water switch from being calm to waters that had more motion. There’s a natural spring beneath and coupled with ample rainfall, Lake Victoria is one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes and also known by locals as “The Source of River Nile”. Here are some pics from the visit.

Enjoy!

ps - things I failed to mention about our day: the stop for chicken and beef liver on a stick (sooooo delicious!), Gandhi Monument, Tree of Life (where historically, many Indians have gone to bathe and pray), and the photographer who apparently failed to realize that in 2017 everyone has a phone with a camera and doesn't need pics printed out!