Leaving the students and teachers at Sir Samuel Baker was very difficult and goodbyes are even harder when there is a good chance of never seeing the people ever again. My last day at school was Thursday and after a great final lesson (if I dont say so myself) on the 5 major East African countries, Tonny took a few pictures of me with the class of boys. They expressed how happy they were to have me at their school and thanked me for helping them learn, something that the vast majority of American students would never even think of doing.
Saying goodbye to Tonny and the other teachers was the most difficult. We exchange contact information, even though I am sure it will be very difficult to stay in touch. Ugandans are very strong people, both physically and emotionally. They are nowhere near as emotional as we are and they would rather aviod goodbyes all together than have an emotional farewell and get teary-eyed. I am sure that Tonny and I will keep in touch and we even have high hopes that one day we will be able to get him to the States.
Oh, I shaved my head (so did many other guys I traveled with. I have always wanted to shave my head and I figured that if I didn't in Uganda, I never would. I think I look very good, and may continue to buzz it. It was a very tramatic experience it, but I handled it very well. Here is a picture of how good Bill and I look.
Friday night all 18 of us went out for our last dinner together at Bambu (now called Fuglys) and we had a great time. Group 3 met us out to say goodbye and spend one final night with us. Michelle told me that she hired a Boda Boda driver to find a belt that I wanted, but he could not find it anywhere around. She has to be one of the greatest, most thoughtful people I have met and hanging out with her is one of the things I miss most about Gulu. I am sure she is enjoying her last week in Gulu by helping their economy thrive by spending as much money as possible. Thanks anyway Michelle, it was a very nice gesture, and much appreciated.
We left Katharina's Saturday morning and loaded the mutatu for the long drive to Kampala and the craft markets. I spent the last of my shillings at the craft market on gifts and even more souveneers for myself (as if I needed any more.)
After giving us only a half hour to shop we were off to Jinja, where we would be spending the night ON ther Nile River.
The place was amazing and watching the sun set on the Nile River was incredible.
After almost seven weeks of dealing with me, this was finally Michael's last night of having to deal with sharing sleeping quarters with me. He was the greatest roommate I could ask for and should get a medal for dealing with me for so many nights.
The next morning we went White Water Rafting on the Nile followed by Bungy Jumping into the Nile. It was one of the greatest days of our trip and a day I will never forget. I have been Bungy Jumping a few times, so I was not terrified, but I give a lot of credit to a lot of my friends that have never been before and took the plunge.
Sunday morning we got up and left for Kampala and spent our last night where we started, the Backpackers Resort. It was very fitting to spend our last night together where we spent our first night together.
Our trip to the airport was pretty quite Monday morning because we did not get much sleep (there was 15 of us in one room) and it was very early in the morning.
Saying bye to these people that I became very close with was very difficult, but I am positive that we will stay in touch and see each other soon. Words can not describe the how amazing it is to step out of the car at JFK seven weeks ago, totally alone and heading in to this experience having never even spoken to anyone you would be sharing this adventure with. Fast forward seven short weeks, and some of the friendships that I have formed will last for the rest of my life. It is such a great feeling to know that I have close friends all over the country and I can not wait to see them again. They have taught me so much and I am a better person for knowing them.
Many people have asked me if I will be returning to Gulu next summer. The answer is that I would 100%, it was the best 7 weeks of my life, but I am not sure that I will. There is so many placed I want to see and so many things that I want to do. I am sure that I will be having another adventure similar to this next summer, and hopefully with many of the friends I made on this trip, but I am not sure if there is anything else for me to do in Uganda. I love Uganda and the people there, but I will use this coming fall and winter to decide where my next adventure will take me, and if it does happen that I am back in Gulu next summer I am sure that the experience will be just as rewarding.
Thanks for reading about my adventres and I will be sure to update this blog with any news of the conditions in Gulu and Uganda, and any news from what Invisible Children is working on.
Thanks again, Wanen (goodbye),
-Ryan
PS - For those of you that are wondering how my trip to Amsterdam with Bill and Kevin went, you will have to ask me in person because there will be NO written blog about those few memorable days. SORRY!
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