I’ve arrived safely in Gulu! Five hour car journey, four hours sleep, three heavy bags, two frantic parents and a monkey in an acacia treeeee (I think the lack of sleep is showing already). But it has been a long journey. Luckily I’ve timed it to arrive with the global health fellows so I have some company in the form of Abi the physio, Mai the haematologist and Dhwani the pharmacist, and Hannah the nurse is already in Gulu. It’s MDT heaven.
On first glance, Kampala seems like a mad house. There are bodas (motorcycles) carrying three people at a time wizzing around corners at full speed, cars are constantly hooting (mostly at the aforementioned boda’s), the streets are packed with people – it took me five minutes to cross the road, and this was at a zebra crossing!
First job on the list was to get an African sim but as is ever so obvious: technology is not my strong point. I bumbled into an Africell shop and managed to buy 30mb of data for three months for less than £15. The shop assistants very kindly set everything up for me – to their frustration as my application kept being denied. From what I gather you have to be approved with ID to use an Ugandan sim, I assume because this stops them from being used as burner phones?? I don’t know. Again, not technological in the slightest.
Next morning: car to Gulu with Helen, the Gulu Man Link project lead. I’ve hit the jackpot arriving in Kampala the same time as Helen. She’s been coming to Gulu for over ten years and knows the place inside out. I was thoroughly briefed on local customs, traditions, common faux pas, places to eat, yoga classes, where to go, when not to go, pretty much everything! It was even better seeing her in action walking us around the hospital the next day. Everyone welcomed her with beaming smiles and outstretched arms which she happily received and reciprocated. “How is Manchester?”, everyone asked; “Wet, cold and grey!”, she replied. People across the other side of the other world are asking about our tiny city, it’s strange to me. But even people who don’t have that connection with Helen seem to know – I guess that’s what happens when your city hosts one of the most famous football teams in the world. Manchester United obviously. Sorry blues, no one seems to care about Man City over here.
I haven’t spoken about the house! The house! It’s so cosy and warm and homely. As soon as I put my bags down I could see myself living here – not just sleeping, eating etc, LIVING. It’s just lovely. We have a huge garden (soon to have some occupants – watch this space!), spacious bedrooms, and the most wonderful staff. I’ve never lived somewhere with “staff” before. A part of me thinks it’s a little colonial but after spending a few days there they feel more likely family. Agnes is our housekeeper and has promised to teach us Acholi (the local language). I warned her that I can’t speak a single word and she replied firmly “Then you shall learn!”. It’s taken me three days to properly pronounce “Thank you very much” but she hasn’t lost faith yet, which I’m thankful for.
All in all things seem pretty tidy. I can definitely imagine this place becoming my home for the next six months and that’s what’s most important. I’ll try and keep a weekly blog but no promises – I’m pretty fickle when it comes to hobbies so we’ll see how it goes.
Love, Ali xxx
Getting on in Gulu 