First impressions in Uganda
by Christina Jordan, Uganda
Mar 12, 2000
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Sunset above Lake Edward

After a long but smooth flight with Thomas and Lucas, we landed at Entebbe International Airport and were greeted with friendly smiles from Ugandan ground crew who helped the three of us get to passport control. As I stood in line to show our passports, Thomas ran through to Daddy on the other side. Lucas soon followed, toddling along as Epko -- who'd not seen him walk yet -- watched in amazement. In spite of how much he had changed over 6 1/2 weeks away from his dad, Lucas hadn't forgotten. He went straight into his daddy's arms and cried when he had to leave them so Epko could take care of the luggage.

As soon as we were out of the baggage claim area, we were swarmed with porters, all trying to make a living by carrying peoples' bags to taxis or cars. With our mound of suitcases, we had quite a contingent--each one expecting their fair share of payment for hoisting one bag apiece into the waiting Landrover. Epko tried to shoo them away, but I figure they're doing their best to squeak out a living. They can have my dime.

It was dark, and the road between Entebbe and Kampala (about 30 miles) was filled with serious potholes and lined with people on foot and bicycle carrying all sorts of loads (especially water jugs) on their heads or on bicycle racks. Driving on the left made it all that much scarier, but we made it safely to our new home.

The first thing that impressed me was our "puppy" Kanga -- has she grown! What a sight to see the guard opening the iron gate with a full grown German Shepherd along side him. Very menacing, indeed, this fortress on the hill in which we now live. But as we ascended the stairs from the road entrance up to the house, I was hit by the smell of night-blooming jasmine (which the Ugandans call "African Queen of the Night"), and the idea of home here started to seem sweet.

The house is a pleasant surprise. It's a comfortable size, but not huge, with a multilevel layout which gives it a nice feel. We have 4 bedrooms, with a dining room, a living room and a large lounge/den. There are three bathrooms, and separate servants quarters (2 rooms, a large closet, a shower, a primitive toilet, and a small courtyard). From the outside the house is actually pretty ugly -- it looks kind of like a large white jail. But the landscaping is gorgeous, so it doesn't seem so ugly while you're in it.

What about our garden?

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