Tag Archives: Uganda

A month and four days

Admin, Travelling in Africa, , ,

In a little over a month, I fly to Uganda for three weeks of adventuring in central Africa. I start the malaria meds today (I also have another trip in between).

I’ve reached that stage of cautious excitement – almost really believing that it might actually happen but trying not to get too attached to the idea in case it falls through and we’re all disappointed.

I want to go now. For a while there, I was really uncertain. I’m still nervous of what we’ll find there but I have no doubt – assuming the last few bits fall into place – that it will be the trip of a lifetime and one we will never forget. In a good way, I hope.

So each day is a day of hope and nerves, waiting for things to come together. This week is visa week. Perhaps the most nerve-wrecking for a while. Particularly because I fly to Zambia next Sunday, so things really need to work out on time.

I’m nervous and excited and hopeful and scared, but I’m not frustrated. This bit – when it looks like it might just work out and you know if it does it’ll blow your mind – this is anticipation of wonder.

Still learning to fly

Adventures, Ideas, Travel, ,

Last week I bought a ticket to Uganda. I’ve never been much of an adventurer, a risk-taker. At least, I never used to be. My instinct is to lean towards control and order and stability. I worry a lot. I find the admin associated with big change and travel overwhelming.

Yet, I’ve moved house annually (at least) since I was 21 and I’ve had 9 jobs in 10 years. Stability and security are as attractive to me as they are to many others, but a combination of circumstances and a restless desire to be doing something real have led me a merry dance in a completely different direction. Stability and security are nice ideas but probably not for me.

I’m still learning how to live this life, how to be a nomadic soul, how to fly, and frankly I’m not always that good at it, but it is the life I’ve chosen. And if I’m going to be constantly moving and changing, I’d like to make the most of it.

So last week, I bought a ticket to Uganda. The plan is to travel with a friend and a couple of other people to Northern Uganda and the DRC for a few weeks in December. A lot of people seem to think it’s a strange way to spend a holiday. Some people to whom I’ve mentioned it think I’m stark raving mad. I’m excited about the trip. From what I hear it’s an absolutely beautiful part of the world.

And sometimes doing seemingly-crazy things turns out to be well worth it – this time two years ago I was running off mountains and learning to fly.