GREAT EXPECTATIONS, June 24th

It has been almost 2 years since I left Uganda. 2 years that have been surprisingly harder adjustment wise than the 12 months I spent in the ‘Pearl of Africa’. Those 12 months significantly changed the direction of my life and my perspective of this world by adding another lens onto the way I view things. The two years back home have been spent worrying how I can possibly integrate this new perspective into my ‘old’ way of life and suffering from what can only be described as a very bad dose of reverse culture shock – not feeling like I belonged, struggling to find things to connect with, hating listening to people complain about money, not knowing how to use the angst I felt to change the things around me… the list goes on.

I promised myself I would not return to Uganda until I knew I was and could be happy back home in Oz. That time has come. For four precious weeks I am returning to the place where I have sobbed and sobbed like I never have before. Where I have felt so completely helpless and witnessed the effects of such atrocities that still cause me to have nightmares. But it is also the place where I have laughed so hard my face has ached. And where I have learnt that the pure sources of joy can be found in small things that tend not to be prioritised at home. There are some things money can’t buy…

I do have somewhat great expectations for my four weeks in Uganda. My main goals are to primarily work in the war affected north by assisting the staff at HEALS, the organisation started by my dear friend Jolly, which works with children in Gulu affected by the war – displaced children, night commuters, former child combatants… and to catch up with all of my Ugandan friends and my Ugandan family. I have missed them all terribly. A lot can happen in two years – some friends have got married, some have had babies but I think the hardest thing for me will be the realisation that one of my Ugandan sisters, Christine has passed away. Somehow it doesn’t seem so real from the other side of the world.

I also crave to once again feel the depth of emotions and senses that make me feel so alive. I can’t wait to once again dance in the village with the local dancing group and laugh with the audience that are laughing at me. And to sit on the back of a boda boda and take in the sensory overload of the sights, smells and sounds of Uganda as the wind rushes against my face. These are some of the things I have missed.

This blog is my attempt to capture my journey and experiences during this holiday in Uganda. In particular, I aim to highlight the situation in northern Uganda from first hand experiences plus provide updates to those who were previous subscribers to “Aussie Amy’s All African Adventures”. I am not sure what my internet access will be like (and my access to electricity) so I will most likely be placing a number of postings up at once. I will date them all though, and keep them in chronological order. Hopefully I’ll also be able to post some photos as I go.

So, sit back, relax and enjoy the latest instalment of my adventures in the Pearl of Africa.