The cabin crew walked out of departures then the Pilots and then I started to panick. Did they miss their flight? Then Vic spotted my dad and we just went crazy shouting, jumping until the guard told us to go back otherwise he'd arrest us.
Mum said after all of our hugs apparently I was poking the side of her and pinched her twice. I really don't remember, but it was understandable. It was so surreal having them here in Uganda with me, it didn't feel real.

After leaving the airport to return Friday, as a bag had been left in London, we headed straight back to Bulenga.
I was making African tea using tea leaves and we use tablespoons for Sugar. Mum's face was a picture, but the sugar here isn't as sweet as back home.
We then went to a local joint so they could try Posho and Beans. They seemed to like it but as Aunty Di said, "It's okay but not to have everyday" We eat this dish 5 days a week.
Walking through the market o back to school all the children were going wild shouting "mzungu" at Bulengas new visitors, jumping and waving until the couldn't anymore.
Madam Jane was waiting at school for mum, dad and Di and came running up the path screaming as soon as she saw us. We toured school and I could see mum was keeping it in when we were in my P2 classroom. She was just very overwhelmed by it all and I think 8 months down the line you forget the holes in the floor and wall, or window panels missing, so for a 'newcomer' it shocked mum. Although we're in school holidays, some of P2 students came to school to great my visitors. You could tell they'd come in their Sunday best, it was lovely. Mum said that she could see that the children really do have respect for me and listen to orders etc. It was great for them to have a better idea of what a school day would be like for me.
That night they all tried the staple diet of Matoke. A green, vegetable banana served with cabbage. I showed of my skills of lighting the charcaol stove. You make a small donut shape out of charcoal pieces, tie knots in a carrier bag, light with a match and let it drip into the ring, until a good flame is going and then cover with a piece of charcoal. Dad was very impressed and I was too, as I didn't burn myself for once.
Tonight was their first visit to the longdrop. Even dad didn't enjoy it with the cockroaches scuttling around, but after a few days they got used to it and ended up using a broom to brush them down the hole.

Thursday we headed to Kayebwe, to the Equator.
Getting into the matatou under everyseat were boxes of chicks so we had a little choir for the 2 hour drive there. I just wanted a day away from Bulenga and busy Kampala were we could chill and just talk and we did just that.
And on the way back the matatou was jam packed with a 4-5 people on each row of seats instead of 3 and a lady with her chicken and a man with lots of drums. It was alot of fun.

Friday I took the clang to a local food market. Everything is cooked outside on charcoal stoves the kept under banana leaves and you basically sit in the middle of it all on a bench. They tried some more local vegetables, including Avacado, which mum loved as it was just picked from the tree.
We then headed to Mengo Palace but not to see the palace but in the gardens are some execution chambers from Idi Amins period. It was like a bunker but Idi told his workers it was to keep his guns but instead he took a unknown number of people there and tortured them. The walls were wired up so you'd get electricuted if you fell and the rooms were high up so below the doors was deep water, that on occasions had crocodiles in. Either way, the inmates would be killed.
No-one knows how many were killed as the bodies were put into the River Nile or Lake Victoria and never seen again.
After this we went to the museum and then to Lotus Mexicana. It was really nice to be treated to meal out and a good meal at that.
We stayed at Backpackers for the night as we had Sanyu the next morning.

Mum did some fundraising at the cafe and raised 500Gbp, along with many baby items that we donated to her and to Diane in Wales.
I'd like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who donated, it's really gone to brilliant childrens home and was greatly received!
We stayed at Sanyu 8am-1pm, a long shift looking after children from 1 week to 4 years old but they all loved it and they thanked me for showing them such a place. Yes it affected mum and dad but Aunty Di has 3 young children, so comparing the lives of the children in the home to her children, I think she got a little emotional.
Lunch in the busy taxi park, was goat meat and pilau rice, my favourite dish.
We then made our way into the even busier Owino Market. I can be a daunting place but as soon as you get used to everyone shouting, touching you, you can really find some decent items as did mum with 2 belts, a bag and some shoes. Dad and Di found a rugby shirt each too. It was a good shopping trip.

Sunday morning we went to church with Madam Jane. The church was new within Bulenga so tarpauline was used as the roof kept up by timber.
Everyone was very welcoming, coming up to us after the service thanking myself for volunteering in Bukenga but too for my visitors being in Uganda.
After church we gave Madam Jane her birthday presents. A bag and 2 mugs with a photo of her and the children on. She loved them and couldn't stop screaming.
Dad tried a local delicacy, grasshoppers and really enjoyed them, eating away as if they were peanuts.
That night we went to Ndere Group. They're a big dance group that performs different dances from all over Uganda, along with theatrical pieces and comedy. One scene the ladies were dancing with 6-8 pots on their heads, amazing. The money you pay to see the group goes straight to all the performers, so they can afford to go to school etc.

Monday and Tuesday was relaxed walking the streets of busy Kampala.
It was quite nice not doing alot, as I was exhausted and had fever Monday night.
It's hard work being a guide but I loved it all the same.
Tuesday night we stayed in Backpackers as we were up early to leave for Entebbe airport Wednesday morning.
I kept it together saying goodbye at the airport but the journey back was the hardest part. I sat listening to my i-pod and cried. They weren't here anymore, it just felt so strange. We had departed just like that. I was travelling back to Bulenga to get on with my life and they were going back to the UK to get on with theirs.
I slept all day and this morning Vic and me were up clothes washing, back to our daily chores as if we hadn't had any visitors.

My parents and Diane came to Uganda for a week to experience my year and that they did and now when I talk about different bits in my blog or on the phone they can now really understand my emotions and feelings. It will make it alot easier for myself when I go home, as I'll be able to talk to people who have better understanding of what I mean.
Mum's final words at the airport were "Stay happy Em" something that this year really has brought me, happiness. Now they can understand why. They can understand why I want to stay overseas, why I want to work with people in third world countries.
Mum and dad have been to poverty stricken countries before but for Diane this was a first. I think she found it hard work but it was refreshing seeing someone who has never experienced this all before. I was very proud of all you did this week Diane!

8 months down the line Vic and me have forgotten what we do and how much we do. Mum emphasised on this. Anything you want to do here from walking to the market to washing is hard work. You can't even come into Kampala without having to barter a price on the boda or having a cup of tea without doing the charcoal fire.
Along with this I've forgotten the beauty around me. I'm going to take more photos, as come 4 months when I'm back in England I'll forget how scaffolding is wood and not metal or the hill we climb to get back from the boer hole.

So on conclusion I was told that I've got so much more confidence, well more self-confidence, I'm me with no worries of what other people think. And I've now got a shapely bum too!
We didn't really talk alot about how I've changed, we all knew I had without even discussing. A change for the best and I'm very happy with it!

It was a brilliant week. Something we'll never forget as a family!
Love you lots and lots x x x

Emma :)