I thought boda-boda guys were a show-off
ABIGAIL Milner is involved in charity at a school in Namuwongo. With her visit only as old as two weeks, with another two remaining, the <i>boda bodas</i>, creaky old taxis and the marabou stock are seemingly driving her imagination wild.
Confessions of a Tourist:
Abigail Milner, Yorkshire, England
ABIGAIL Milner is involved in charity at a school in Namuwongo. With her visit only as old as two weeks, with another two remaining, the boda bodas, creaky old taxis and the marabou stock are seemingly driving her imagination wild.
This is my first time in Africa, a continent that has beguiled me with fantasies of journeying in the wild.
As we travelled to Kampala from Entebbe airport, there were many people by the road. It was strange. I felt as though everyone had come out of his or her home to hang by the road. Many cyclists rode bikes with huge boxes and logs on their carriers, that shielded them from viewing the rear! I could not imagine what sort of scene such an overloaded bicycle would stir in England.
That was not my only surprise. In Kampala, I thought boda bodas (commuter motor bikes) were weird. At first I thought the boda boda guys cyclists were noisy and nosy lads herded in every street corner with their bikes. I thought they were showing off their bikes in some kind of motorbike street exhibition yet I could not see anything fancy to flaunt. All the bikes were small and similar.
I found them to be irritants. But it took me just a week to experience the beauty of the boda boda and it took me quite some nerves as well. I was too tired to walk a 30- minute distance from the school to where I stay in Namuwongo. We agreed that he had to take it slow.
I am now accustomed to the boda boda culture.The alternative transport means –– the taxis are similar to travelling in a bus back at home. I don’t mind sitting with strangers. However, what I find amazing are the creaky and rusty conditions of most of the taxis. I keep worrying that a tyre might slip off. I feel that way about most cars in Kampala. I might just stick with the bodas!
It is perhaps a shallow perception of Africa that we breed in England.
I expected to see lots of animals roaming everywhere. I am disappointed that my safaris through Kampala have only exposed me to famished dogs and long-horned cattle.
The marabou stocks are amazing. We do not have them in England. I will soon be going on a real safari. I will be going white water rafting in Jinja. This time I am expectant. I think I might drown myself!
As told to Raphael Okello
Send your Tourist Confessions to rokello@newvision.co.ug
Abigail Milner, Yorkshire, England
ABIGAIL Milner is involved in charity at a school in Namuwongo. With her visit only as old as two weeks, with another two remaining, the boda bodas, creaky old taxis and the marabou stock are seemingly driving her imagination wild.
This is my first time in Africa, a continent that has beguiled me with fantasies of journeying in the wild.
As we travelled to Kampala from Entebbe airport, there were many people by the road. It was strange. I felt as though everyone had come out of his or her home to hang by the road. Many cyclists rode bikes with huge boxes and logs on their carriers, that shielded them from viewing the rear! I could not imagine what sort of scene such an overloaded bicycle would stir in England.
That was not my only surprise. In Kampala, I thought boda bodas (commuter motor bikes) were weird. At first I thought the boda boda guys cyclists were noisy and nosy lads herded in every street corner with their bikes. I thought they were showing off their bikes in some kind of motorbike street exhibition yet I could not see anything fancy to flaunt. All the bikes were small and similar.
I found them to be irritants. But it took me just a week to experience the beauty of the boda boda and it took me quite some nerves as well. I was too tired to walk a 30- minute distance from the school to where I stay in Namuwongo. We agreed that he had to take it slow.
I am now accustomed to the boda boda culture.The alternative transport means –– the taxis are similar to travelling in a bus back at home. I don’t mind sitting with strangers. However, what I find amazing are the creaky and rusty conditions of most of the taxis. I keep worrying that a tyre might slip off. I feel that way about most cars in Kampala. I might just stick with the bodas!
It is perhaps a shallow perception of Africa that we breed in England.
I expected to see lots of animals roaming everywhere. I am disappointed that my safaris through Kampala have only exposed me to famished dogs and long-horned cattle.
The marabou stocks are amazing. We do not have them in England. I will soon be going on a real safari. I will be going white water rafting in Jinja. This time I am expectant. I think I might drown myself!
As told to Raphael Okello
Send your Tourist Confessions to rokello@newvision.co.ug