Hello all you lovelies
sorry it has taken me so flippin long to get on here and update you!! internet, strangely enough, was easy in Uganda it would seem!!!
My last day in Uganda was filled with mixed emotions. I tried to pack in the morning but wasn’t making much progress so headed to work. I spent the morning in the nursery, did some fun things with them, like getting the paddling pool out and chucked them in one by one!!!! before i knew it was time to say goodbye to them all. they have all learned to say goodbye and the teacher explained that i wouldn’t see them for awhile so they were all climbing on me and saying goodbye! was really lovely, but hard!!! said goodbye to the parents aswell which was just as hard as although we didn’t communicate without a translator there was something there. one child was left as her mum is often late to pcik her up. I know I shouldn’t have favourites but she was mine!!!! I’m sure i’ve written about her before. We played and then her mum came and i had to pass her over. sounds so dramatic but the only way i can discribe it was my heart broke. she clung to me and wouldn’t let go and as her mum took her we both has tears streaming down our cheeks. For the next couple of hours i felt so subdued. i never in my wildest dremas thought i’d want to stay in Uganda and actually be sad at the thought of leaving. I really imagined six weeks dragging by and everyday being a challenge. how wrong I was!!!!! Matt and Theresa took me out for lunch and we walked to the top of the hill where there’s a small italian cafe were we had fish and chips. we had a good laugh and i felt better!! and decided to make the most of my last day and not spend it crying!!! i finished up lose ends and a few boring things i’d been putting off like forms! before everyone left the office at 5pm we had a group photo and then they all said something nice about me and what i’d done whilst being here. was really lovely, and moving. and then they gave me a card which had a drawing each of the children did and a message from everyone. I dashed home after work and got changed before heading out for an indian. the we went to a cheesy bar where they were playing 80’s and 90’s music which was a blast. My taxi was arranged to pick me up at 4am so at 2.30 we left! Theresa came back to mine and helped me pack and came to the airport with me. All was a bit of a blur and before i knew it i was boarding!! i slept on both flights and arrived in South Africa late afternoon.
I’ve had a great time here. a big contrast to my time in Uganda. i’ve been busy busy trying to see as much as possible in the short time that i’m here. the weather is slightly cooler than Uganda which is a lovely change!! Claire and Tony Coggan were here for a few days which was really good fun. Hit the mall on my first day (!!!!!!) tis so unbelievable huge u would not believe!! Felt very strange after being in Uganda. Was in the ladies drying my hands under the dryer and claire said “must be strange using this after Uganda” and i said “it’s strange using a flushable toliet and sink, let alone a hand drier!!”
Have been out for some lovely meals, on thursday we went to Hidden Valley before dropping Tony and Claire at the airport. gorgeous meal which words cannot discribe!!! lots of mmmms and rrrrrrrsss!!! went to a cell group with Liz White which was good and also visited a preschool in the township. Had a picnic and lots of sight seeing!
On saturday headed to Capetown where I meet up with some old friends from CCK. had a really lovely girly time and took some food up to signal hill which looks over table mountain and capetown. In the afternoon we all went to a church meeting in the townships which was really good.
Yesterday we went to church at HCC which I really enjoyed, meet lots of people that know Bekah and Heather which was gd! Dave took me out for a gorgeous lunch at a place similar to the Marina. and then back to church in the evening!! had some sushi after the evening service with a bunch of people which was a good fun!!!
the week has gone so quickly, which i guess was to be expected although Uganda feels a million miles away! miss it muchly, but i’m excited about my remaining time, especially seeing my friend in Oz and of course meeting Josie in Vietnam!!
I think you’ve all become a little lax in keeping in touch with me!!! i really do love reading you’re news and hearing about life back home so please do email or facebook me! When I’m in Oz my english phone will be in use, because my free mins and texts will work, so hopefully if you don’t all have really early nights i’ll be able to speak to you. sorry yet again it’s a long one, i really must try and concise my words!!! but i hope you enjoy hearing about it all!
lots and lots of love Sal xxx
