Me and Jim decided to go running this afternoon I guess as a way of promising ourselves that our optimism would continue through till next year, Lawrence wanted to visit more friends and run a few errands round town, we arranged with him to grab our bus tickets back to Tanzania early while he was around. So we feasted happy in the knowledge that this evening would welcome the start of a New Year, 2009. I would like to say the year has gone fast but I feel like 2009 has been a long year for me.
Avocados, fresh fruit, tomatoes, sour dough, eggs we kept going and going, talking over our plans for tomorrow, foolishly we were preparing to wake up very early after what promises to be a long evening to make our way to the famous Jinja area in search of the source of the Nile! we wanted to wake by seven, optimistic I thought but true to our jam packed trend.. after breky we all turned to the chore of washing, it is quite a chore without a washing machine, every item takes a long time, involving vigorous effort scrubbing and rubbing, It is quite disgusting to see how much filthy water even one item can produce, I don't mind as I think of it as more of an appreciation lesson, never will I cease to appreciate the washing machine and the ease it brings to our lives. One and a half hours later, im done.
After this rigmarole we take off for much needed exercise, with Kili coming up I'm trying to get my act together, however the time we decided to run happened to coincide with mid-day and Kampala is not cold! so we went for maybe a 3 kilometre run in the sweltering heat, sweating our hearts out through the dust, mindful of the unpredictable traffic, up hills and all, nearing the end of the run we spotted a sign saying "swimming pool" the offer was too good, we ran towards this promised oasis, one sign led to another sign, that sign led to another and so on, it felt like a real oasis disappearing before our eyes until finally we reached the complex with barely the strength to walk. Ahhh the pool, what a way to end a hardcore run, swimming and relaxing by the pool, drifting off to sleep, talking about the future, and our individual plans!
Kampala changes when the lights go down, it is not like Time Square in New York but there is a lot of fluorescent colour and light, a vibe that makes the city feel unique, it feels exciting, there is a buzz in the air, the youth are out in force to celebrate and it has only just turned 6, it must be a universal thing that New years equals p+a+r+t+y. We make our way through the city to meet friends for dinner, Lawrence is in a rush trying to ensure the evening goes to plan, we are walking very fast through crowded streets dodging messy puddles, staggering people, jumping over gaps,through tight areas, always making haste, at one point it felt like we were doing an Indiana Jones take, i was carefully maneuvering round a large man struggling with a large fragile vase as Lawrence was racing ahead, Jim was still behind us both, I sidestepped this gentleman only to find another guy making his way towards a tight alleyway carrying an overflowing sack of material, this sack was maybe five times the size of himself, I ducked under his load just before he made the squeeze, Jim wasn't so lucky, this man had wedged himself right in the way, i ran to get Lawrence, what a jam. It is an exciting centre with so much about, jazz playing here, an enthusiastic speaker making himself heard above the crowd, its all going on. We are laughing at everything this night could not be going better if it tried.
We sit to eat pork and talk, talk about it all, the friends are all about the evening, drinks here, more food there, music always around us like a welcome friend. We meet friend after friend at bar after bar, we go with the crew that have emerged to a local to get in the count down, we meet TV presenters, marketing managers, it doesn't matter its all about whats next, whats next, moving, moving, moving.... 5,4,3,2,1.. the new year begins, the dancing begins, the pace does not slow, hip hop clubs, where Ugandan language rules the floor, back to the multi faceted club with many DJs, guys, girls dressed up, loving it, people yelling everywhere...Happy New year, many on the back of trucks dancing, we see live performances of famous local artists doing their thing, everyone is stoked to dance with the white guys who are enjoying the night and music just as much as them! Jim and his salsa moves impress the local dancers, the beat rises and falls we are all transfixed, through reggae, ragga, all types of local and international stuff everyone is sweating but going on, the DJ is pointing at us us loving how much we get into it, it all goes on, parties in the street, drunk brothers leaving for home, we continue, just happy to be here and welcoming the new year, eventually the night fades as we emerge exhausted and hit home. Kampala was one big party for us even when we were relaxing, enjoyment levels were high!