Last Friday I added another stamp to my passport - Uganda. If Rwanda is a sly woman and Congo is a grizzly man, than Uganda is like an adorable, mangy puppy dog barking for your attention. What do I mean? Well, Uganda is a bit more chaotic (like Congo). All the taxi men and money changes come shouting at you as you cross the boarder. The roads aren't as nice. There are packs of steer or goat wandering here and there. The land isn't as heavily cultivated as Rwanda. Wild parts actually remind me of Sierra Nevada, in California, or of the Black Hills, in South Dakota. Uganda feels like a jovial big party. At least, that was my 30-minute impression. I know Uganda’s exports are huge. They are one of Rwanda’s largest importers. Even though every inch of Rwanda seems to be cultivated, the population is too dense for the country to supply food to all its citizens.

We didn't go far into Uganda - only to Lake Bunyonyi, the home of Bushara Island Camp our eco-tourism destination. We, in this case, would be Yan, Susy, Nyanja and I.

Uganda was the last great adventure of Yan and Susy's whirlwind tour. Serious whirlwind. First bit of travel advise. If you come to Africa, make sure you're here for at least 2 weeks. Yan and Susy had 9 days in Africa and two travel days. They departed DC the 12th; arrived the 13th. Climbed a mountain with me 14th - 16th. Went to Goma the 17th. Traipsed around Kigali the 18th. Traveled to Uganda and back 19th and 20th. Flew back to the States the 21st on a flight that left early. 9 days. Three countries. Thankfully they made it on the plane JUST before takeoff. Airport Security wasn't going to let them through check in. (Check in is on the other side of the security line.) A little power game ensued. Nyanja shouted at security. Melissa and I stood by the wall, biting are lips. We'd suggested they come to the airport two hours in advance. If people listened, this "rude muzungo tourist" drama could have been averted. After a few minutes security opened the door. Yan and Susy scrambled.

Second word of travel advice - don't try to cut the two-hour advance arrival time down in Africa. And confirm your flight three days ahead of time. Departure times are often changed, in advance or even as a last minute decision the day of. Once some people are loaded onto the plane, the airport staff go home. They like sending their flights out early. It means a shorter shift. Air traffic control at the destination can deal with it's own problems at the other end.

Well. Back to Lake Bunyonyi, the home of little birds. As a picture is worth a thousand words, let me show you 86 pictures. That's easier than writing 86,000 words...and you're more apt to pay attention. ☺. Nyanja took charge of this trip. Nyanja and I are very different; particularly in the way we handle things. Nyanja and AB are at opposite ends of the planning spectrum. For me it was a lesson in character development. Let’s say, it has been helpful to have a peaceful week to think and process.