Up at sparrows this morning, breakfast, truck packing and on the road by 6:30am. We all do extremely well with our timekeeping I have to say. We have never missed any deadlines, yet!
We drive approx 1/2 hour to the Rwanda/Uganda border at Cyanika, a different point from where we entered. The formalities were over and done with in 1/2 an hour and we were back on the road again by 8:30am. Ok! Ok! I hear you say that timing doesn't add up. Top of the class, you are right! We leave driving on the right (wrong) side of the road and gain our hour back, so put our watches forward.
Not far on, at Kisoro we see a huge refugee camp, home for thousands of DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo) citizens who are escaping the ongoing conflicts, particularly in Goma where M23 rebels hold the county's Capital. Goma is mineral rich, hence the conflict for ownership. Well, that is the basis of the conflict apparently.
Now we have left Rwanda I can tell you that where we stayed in Rwanda, it was less than 20 miles from Goma. Also when we were tracking the gorillas, we were much closer and discovered what we thought was thunder, was actually bombing at Goma. Also yesterday, during our Village and Market walk, there was a Rwandan gun ship flying around, no doubt just keeping an eye on the borders.
100 M23 rebels surrendered after they fled to Uganda on Monday and are now in this camp in Kisoro where they are being held, disarmed and registered as refugee rebels. The bombing at the border which struck Ugandan territory, pushed Ugandan soldiers into action from their base here in Mbarara.
Since the genocide, which was very costly to human life in Ruhengeri, the armed police presence is considerably higher than elsewhere in Rwanda.
We have been told that there has been much heavy rain at Lake Mburo and it is not considered a good idea to enter the National park or lake area due to the extreme possibility of getting stuck in quagmires of mud, so we will instead, be going to Mbarara to stay the night in University grounds I think. So that is a pity as we will miss out on our game drive.
Driving, driving and we stop on a nice grassy stretch on the side of the road outside a school. Some of the kids (all ages) came out to see what was going on with this truck stopping and all the Msungi (white people) getting out. Clare started a weird (fertility?) dance, flailing her arms around and above her head, to give them a little entertainment. Well, they all screamed and cheered as if Pink herself was on stage. It was hilarious as more kids came rushing out of their classroom. The hubbub died down as we at our lunch and then we heard their bell (sounded like a knife hitting the side of a bottle) sound for lunch. Hundreds of kids poured out of the buildings and surrounded us, edging closer to have a good look at us. I finished lunch, did my dishes and went over to speak to them. Many withdrew (I know I scare people sometimes, but really)! They were learning English and the older girls asked how was I? Another said they were happy to see us - they were delighted when I responded and understood them and replied in some Swahili words I knew. One little girl touched my arm, and as I looked to see what the touch was, she shrank away, embarrassed! I said she could touch my skin; so white compared to their beautiful dark skin. Well, that started a mob scene almost, with my face and hair and arms being smothered by kids! It's these sort of impromptu and totally spontaneous encounters that live in your memory forever. Pure gold! See video clip attached as we say goodbye to some of the kids.
Back to all the road works in Uganda. We are literally thrown from side to side and unless we hang on we could catapult right out of our seats if not for the seat belts.
We reach the University in Mbarara where everyone decides to get a room considering we have just ploughed our way through a torrential downpour and the thought of putting up tents in the rain (it is also quite muggy) didn't really appeal. The grounds are really pretty and we have a big open, round, thatched hut for our food preparation, cooking and eating.
For $US17 a night I don't think it will break the bank, although everything is paid in cash and I admit I watch every cent I spend to make sure I have enough without having to change more.
I should try to maintain that skill when I get home methinks!