Confessions of a tourist
Sep 24, 2005
WHILE in Europe, everything seems to be a routine, clean and boring, says Stuart Angus, a Briton living in Germany, and who has toured many countries of the world.
CONFESSIONS OF A TOURIST
By Harriet Birungi
WHILE in Europe, everything seems to be a routine, clean and boring, says Stuart Angus, a Briton living in Germany, and who has toured many countries of the world. One will know that at a given time, I have to be on a bus or train. This makes movement almost a routine. And the people are ‘peaches’ soft on the outside and hard inside, friendly at sight, but reserved and not easy to get know better.
But when in Africa and Uganda in particular, a walk on the street gave me a tale of people, who enjoy life and more so, the moment for which they are living, unlike Europe, where everything is planned. Everyday is a celebration of life. I could see the joy from the way they chat, walk while singing and willingness to help a stranger asking for directions.
Personally, I proved when I walked out of the premises of where I was residing and met a female student of Lubiri secondary school, who took some time to sing with me the Uganda anthem! Just like the Rwandans that I found love to express their feeling through music, singing with her was a clear indication that Ugandans are friendly and love to express themselves through music.
Unlike the routine movement back home, in Uganda, moving on a boda boda is so fantastic and it is what I will miss most. The wind blowing through my hair and the cyclist riding on to pavements in the name of beating traffic jam! It’s beautiful.
Unfortunately, it makes me feel sorry for girls with short hair. They cannot know the feel of riding with the wind blowing away their hair! However, the same ride-maneuverings between vehicles creates a feel of danger that makes you wake up and think about the safety of trains back home.
Moving by matatus or taxis is another experience. One night when travelling from Entebbe, I got on to a taxi. The only option I had was to sit on the floor. By the time I reached the city, one of my legs was kind of paralysed!
That they can pack anywhere to load, or off-load passengers without fear of being apprehended by the police, is asking for removal of driving permit and paying a fine back home! The local dishes and their names are fascinating.
For the many times I have been in Africa and the countries I have been to, I tried to taste many of their foods. But being in Uganda has made love posho, particularly when served with fish or beans. They are yummy!
They even became my staple food while in Rwanda where everything is expensive. Compared to other countries, being in Uganda is an expression of liberty and life.
Moving on the streets, the smell of everything, laughter of people, among many things, gives a sign of life and happy people. However, the concept of muzungu (whites) and money is annoying.
By Harriet Birungi
WHILE in Europe, everything seems to be a routine, clean and boring, says Stuart Angus, a Briton living in Germany, and who has toured many countries of the world. One will know that at a given time, I have to be on a bus or train. This makes movement almost a routine. And the people are ‘peaches’ soft on the outside and hard inside, friendly at sight, but reserved and not easy to get know better.
But when in Africa and Uganda in particular, a walk on the street gave me a tale of people, who enjoy life and more so, the moment for which they are living, unlike Europe, where everything is planned. Everyday is a celebration of life. I could see the joy from the way they chat, walk while singing and willingness to help a stranger asking for directions.
Personally, I proved when I walked out of the premises of where I was residing and met a female student of Lubiri secondary school, who took some time to sing with me the Uganda anthem! Just like the Rwandans that I found love to express their feeling through music, singing with her was a clear indication that Ugandans are friendly and love to express themselves through music.
Unlike the routine movement back home, in Uganda, moving on a boda boda is so fantastic and it is what I will miss most. The wind blowing through my hair and the cyclist riding on to pavements in the name of beating traffic jam! It’s beautiful.
Unfortunately, it makes me feel sorry for girls with short hair. They cannot know the feel of riding with the wind blowing away their hair! However, the same ride-maneuverings between vehicles creates a feel of danger that makes you wake up and think about the safety of trains back home.
Moving by matatus or taxis is another experience. One night when travelling from Entebbe, I got on to a taxi. The only option I had was to sit on the floor. By the time I reached the city, one of my legs was kind of paralysed!
That they can pack anywhere to load, or off-load passengers without fear of being apprehended by the police, is asking for removal of driving permit and paying a fine back home! The local dishes and their names are fascinating.
For the many times I have been in Africa and the countries I have been to, I tried to taste many of their foods. But being in Uganda has made love posho, particularly when served with fish or beans. They are yummy!
They even became my staple food while in Rwanda where everything is expensive. Compared to other countries, being in Uganda is an expression of liberty and life.
Moving on the streets, the smell of everything, laughter of people, among many things, gives a sign of life and happy people. However, the concept of muzungu (whites) and money is annoying.