Welcome back to the safari party!
In case you missed the first post on the beginning of my African safari at Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda and stay at Paara lodge, you can catch up here. Basically I had to split the posts as I had so many images to share (these really are just the tip of the iceberg) and wanted to include as much of what was a wonderful adventure with you. Onto Day Two!
There are so many things that come to mind when I think back about my time in Uganda such as witnessing whole families on boda bodas, remembering the rich the taste of baby bananas and my failed attempts to avoid the red, red dirt that seemed to get everywhere. My iPhone ear buds are forever stained. But the chance to experience both a land and river safari are memories that will never be forgotten.
Which is a really good thing, because apparently I forgot to write about it last year.
My time spent at Murchison Falls National Park was brief (3 days in total) but I was still able to fit in some solid and incredible safari time.
About Murchison Falls National Park & Paara Lodge
Murchison Falls National Park is the largest park in Uganda. It is found in the northwestern part of the country and spreads inland from the shore of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile. The park is home to the famous Murchison Falls, also referred to as the Kabarega Falls, where the Nile River squeezes into a narrow gorge, 7 meters wide before plunging 43 meters below.
Murchison Falls is best viewed from the top. It’s about a 45 minute walk up from the bottom to the top.
More coverage for Uganda! Although this was painful for me as I prefer to be behind the camera I lent my side of the story to Pink magazine for their April issue. Here you will get to learn a little bit more about me, how I got into storytelling and of course my great adventure in Uganda. Enjoy!
Read the full story here: Cover story Pink.
In my ongoing quest to share the story of how Ugandans lives are changing for the better as a result of the partnership between the Canadian Co-operative Association and the Ugandan Co-operative Alliance, I made this video.
I hope that it provides clarity on the purpose of our mission and just how much can be accomplished by communities when they work together within a credit union and/or co-operative.
Some of my experiences in Uganda are still to this day hard to describe. But simply put, it was an incredible adventure and one that left me wanting more. Uganda is extremely beautiful and the people and culture are truly inspiring. Moments like having a Nile Special on the Nile, enjoying freshly picked bananas and learning from the amazing people make up a few of the fond recollections I have.
I enjoyed a few of these fine local beers.
But, beyond the beauty of the land, the incredible sound of children’s laughter and the many other great experiences, there were quite a few moments in Uganda I would rather forget. Or, in this case look back and laugh at. Oh well, lessons learned. Here are a few ‘funnies’ to share with you and proof as my husband would say that I have worked hard to earn the nickname “Spazzy McGoo”.
Lesson 1. If you have a squirrel sized bladder and are travelling the bumpy roads of rural northern Uganda for days on end don’t drink too much or learn to hold it!
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Today the story of the Candian Co-operative Association’s international development work and highlights from my own personal adventure were the subject of an article in local paper, the Leader-Post. Many thanks to the Leader-Post and to Will Chabun for sharing this (and to the Saskatoon Star Phoenix for adding it to your paper).
http://www.leaderpost.com/search/Hard+times+hearts+Uganda/7746635/story.html
We visited numerous farms during our time in Uganda. One thing that became clear very quickly was that the land is ultra fertile and the diversification among the crops farmers can yield is quite vast.
Below is a photo essay capturing a few of the commonly seen commodity crops that provide sustainability for the farmer’s families; their communities and whoever is on the receiving end of the exporting trail. Most important to note though is that the farming practice is the livelihood of many Ugandans and it truly sustains their families and provides a life with potential for future generations.
Cassava – a root vegetable, starchy much like the potato. It is a main source of carbohydrates for many and considered a staple crop. Another staple crop not pictured here, but grown extensively is maize (corn). 
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It may be a never ending handshake. But, that is a good sign. This is a short clip on how Ugandans shake hands.
I must preface my blog posts to this page. Although this blog is generally based on travel, the content I post on the mission to Uganda may not fit the normal profile you have been used to reading on this site. I assure you there is a reason. This and pending posts regarding the IFAPI project describe what are important conclusions from my perspective. I also feel strongly they are stories that deserve to be shared.
So onward I go.
Everywhere you go in Uganda an expression often heard is “you are most welcome here.” This certainly applies to all of the wonderful hosts that we have had over the past week. Ugandans are very gracious hosts to say the least.
Here is a small snippet of this display from yesterday as we were sent off by the folks of Akoloda.
Travellinlady ~ Jenn Smith Nelson 