Aussie Amy’s Top Travel Tips for Uganda (July 12th)

1. Make a list of what you plan to do in your four week stay, then cut this list in half.
2. Always carry ‘TP’ (toilet paper) with you in your bag
3. Trips “up country” will depart at least 2 days later than planned, but you won’t be able to use the interim days effectively, as you are still under the impression you are leaving that day
4. Research prices for ‘special’ (taxi) and taxi (bus) trips first, as mzungu inflation will be added to the correct fair
5. “There’s a snake in the garden” will not mean there’s a huge “aussie-type” snake, but rather the largest worm you’ve ever seen.
6. Treating yourself to a Cadbury’s chocolate from the local supermarket will elicit a nasty surprise, as it does not taste at all like it does at home.
7. Leaving your purse in a taxi is not the best idea, but if you do, leave it in a place where the taxi driver will not see it, as it will then be recovered when he returns to his stage.
8. There is no such thing as eating too many mangoes or pineapples, as there is so many that they rot if not eaten.
9. Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart…
10. “Mzungu, how are you?” will lose it’s novelty after the 1000th time, despite the kids still remaining so cute. The cuteness of the kids starts to wear off though when it’s accompanied by “Mzungu, give me my money!”
11. When taking a taxi, make sure you know where you are going, as even though the driver will tell you he knows where it is, he will not.
12. No matter how pleased people are to see you, they will be even more pleased to see your Mum, as her age will demand more respect
13. Translate all appointments into African time: 10am = 2pm, afternoon = evening and today=tomorrow.
14. Being laid back certainly has it’s advantages, which is recognized by your Ugandan friends who tell you that “you are not an ordinary mzungu” but this can have its disadvantages when you are trying to get things done – “there’s no hurry in Africa!”.