As two nationalities colliding in yet a third cultural setting, we went down the long list of our differences: KFC, American football vs. what the rest of the world calls football (ie: soccer), soda or pop, and don’t you dare call those things you’re wearing pants! It was great fun. We threw a mostly-empty water bottle around for entertainment when the conversation lagged, climbed dexterously on top of an elephant (too bad it was made of stone), played a group name/memory game that made us all laugh, and ate a very good - very Western - lunch. Sandwiches, Pringles, and chocolate chip cookies - yum! Did I forget to mention that the food was incredibly healthy? And, if that wasn’t enough, it was Ben’s (from the British team) birthday, and someone had whipped up a delicious chocolate cake which we promptly, and possibly unwisely, devoured.
So, the day was what I might call more “Western” than any day here yet. Good, but not quite African. Except for the monkeys. I think, dear God, that the hardest part of this journey is the in-between stages. I love to be with the children - to sing with them, to watch them dance with such delight, to play random games, all the while watching those brilliant rays of pure laughter flash like fireworks over their faces . . . But to sit here apart from them, remembering the ones I have known and looking forward to those I have yet to meet, and holding them all out to You in my heart, while it breaks - this is the hardest part.
Our one and only elephant sighting in Uganda. They even let us take a free ride! . . . Hm.
My first sighting of chocolate since coming to Africa (Well, other than the $4.00 candy bars for sale at a store in Rwanda). I do not think I have to put my reaction in words.
A couple glimpses at the gorgeous camp grounds.
