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pbandjesse · 5 hours

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Today was so fun. We are in a different bus heading back to the hotel to collect the rest of our group before going to Sam's parents for the last time. It was honestly such a good last day in Africa.

I didn't sleep great last night. Well I slept fine, but getting to sleep was not good. I was up at least until 230. Wasn't doing amazing. But when I woke up at 830 I was okay.

We got dressed and I put on my bathing suit under my dress and we went to breakfast.

It was surprisingly chill out. So swimming wasn't going to be a big part of the day. But we were stubborn and still wanted to take advantage of the pool.

Breakfast was fine. We decided James would get me a soda so we could get shillings from our usd. Because today was shopping!! I was so excited to go out in the world.

After breakfast we went to the room so James could change into their trunks. And I could unbraid my hair. My hope was to take a shower at the end of the day but they would end up not working out.

But the pool was nice. I kept my shirt on because while the water was a nice temperature, the air was cool and a little drizzly. But James would get all the way in and did laps and it was so nice to watch them from the edge where I was lounging.

I would eventually get out of the water and went to hang out on the lounge chair that the staff kindly set up for us. And when to drizzle got worse he rolled a big umbrella over to cover me. Which was so kind.

I just enjoyed scrolling on my phone and watching James. And eventually we headed back to the room.

We ran into Gabe and Stephanie and the new plan was shopping at 1230. This ended up being for the best.

When we got back to the room James finished packing. And I double checked what I would change into for the flight and the last of our toiletries that would need to get packed. And then after some resting and changing we would head to the lobby.

This was the first hiccup of many. Thankfully the day would be saved later but we went through about 2 hours of nonsense first.

First issue: even though I was aware of this, apparently no one else was. Because people were not prepared to pay the extra night tonight even though we wouldn't be sleeping here. So then there was a panic about late check outs and where luggage will go and all of that. I would panic slightly when it was decided that me and James were no longer just storing other people's bags in our room (which has been talked about and the idea was we would split the cost) (but the hotel had already rented it to someone else unbenonsed to us) so we had to go get everything. I would go find Gabe at Paul's room while James dealt with the desk and I would finish gathering all of our stuff.

I was all turned around though and was just shoving things in my bags rather then nicely packing them so nothing is correct right now. I am hoping that when we get to the compound later I can shift some stuff around and it will all be okay. But for the moment I was not having fun.

Then Gabe was knocking to get him and Stephanie's bags. And then when he left someone would ring the door bell which set off my anxiety.

It was some staff there to change the sheets. And I explained what was up. That we were leaving and I was trying to figure out how to get all 6 bags down to the front. She said she would call the concierge for me. Which was so kind. And while we waited we talked. She wanted to know where we were from and s kit the wedding and it was a pretty calming moment. I felt better after that.

James came up and we grabbed our backpacks. And Gabe would join us. We let him know about the concierge and we would walk to the lobby together. (Stopping to give the concierge my key card so we would have to backtrack)

There was still chaos. While Sydney has arranged an escort for our group at $200 total, or $15 each, we were unaware that our driver from the rest of the week, Sandy, was here and available for us at no extra charge. So then there was a out 20 minutes of confusion. Where I am just telling people to please make a decision. And then there was the whole issue of the new driver needed to be paid and wanted at least 50%, so $100 to cancel. And the older people in our group were really mad about that. And we were just burning time. And it was really frustrating. We tried to see if Sandy could be utilized still and collect the luggage to bring to Sam's family compound but that was even more confusion.

Finally we decided to go in the new bus with Andrew. And he kept the AC on the whole time and was really nice even though we were a bit confused and unsure about stuff.

I made sure to do a headcount when we got on so no one would be left behind. There were 16 of us. Not including Andrew. And we were going to two place.

But the first one was a bust. It ended up being a luxury international restaurant court and hotel and it was all tourists and no locals and nothing we wanted to buy. Only one actual store. We were pretty disappointed but we were also disorganized. Because I thought we were going to get right back on the bus and go but then people started buying ice cream and I'm like. Get back on the bus! So we wasted a half hour but we did find some other Americans and they directed us where to go. Crafted Africa, an artisan village. Perfect.

So we eventually were able to round everyone up (with both me and Paul Sr having to go out and find everyone) and we were back on the road.

When we found the place we were relieved to find that it was open. None of us considered it is Sunday and things might be closed. A lot of things we passed were. But this was open and it was perfect.

Except we couldn't go right away. Because no one else thought to bring shillings. Oops. So Andrew would drive us down the road to a money exchange place. Where everyone got a couple hundred thousand shillings. I would exchange some too. I would go to the market with 176,000 shillings. And in the end I spent $67 USD. Not bad at all for eveything I got.

And I had so much fun. It was not busy at all. I think because it was a sunday. There was one other group of German tourists (who didn't know how to not block the entire sidewalk), and a few African people. But the little stalls were FULL. Just so much to see! Floor to ceiling. It was overwhelming but amazing. And at first I was just buying everything. But then I started getting food at haggling and negotiating. And I got some really great prices.

I would buy some gifts. But mostly I was thinking about things for me. I wanted jewelery more then anything. And I would find two brass bangles, just like I wanted. And a ring. And a super cool necklace. I also got some carved wooden animals (I had them write down the type of wood for those too). I also got a few carved soapstone animal sculptures. Two are keychains. I got James a wallet. And a T-shirt with the word they call white people on it because I thought they would think it's hilarious. I got a little zebra plush and a zebra spoon. I was just having the best time.

I would blow through my cash pretty quickly though. About a half hour in. I wasn't disappointed per se but I had found one of the two bangles after I had ran out of shillings and was very disappointed. I almost asked to borrow from someone else. But as I was walking around (we were doing the busy system but I kept loosing Abby because she wanted to peruse and I wanted to go quick), being called "sister" and making no promises to come back, I found a little soapstone box that slid open to reveal a snake! A little scary thing and I loved it so much. I told the girl I had no shillings but she said she would take American. I only had a $20. Which is 76,000 shillings. And she was trying to just convince me to buy more of her stuff but I desperately wanted that second bangle and I told just was 20,000 shillings as change and we could call it even. I was really proud of myself for my haggling. And eventually she went and got my 20,000 and I ran around trying to find someone with the bangle I wanted. And other vendors still beckoned me inside and I would feel guilty for not buying something from everyone but I got a lot of stuff and had the best time.

I was officially out of money (except my bus money) and it was 4, which was when we were supposed to be back on the bus. But of course that didn't happen. I spent the next half hour trying to gather everyone. I helped aunt Georgia pick a mug to get the process moving quicker. And I would start moving people best I could. I would enjoy smiling at babies. One even fist bumped me. And he was like barely 2. It was so cute.

I also taught one of the vendors Santa Claus! She had an ornament and I said "Santa!" And she says "St Nick! Like Christmas!" And she asked me what I called him and we had a lovely little talk about different names and she said thank you for teaching me! So sweet.

I got half the people on the bus at 420. And then Paul's aunt was like Jesse. You should go gather the last of them. They were just outside of the bus buying art. And I am being Vanna White, moving my arms and pointing and being silly to try and get everyone on the bus. But finally we got the last three with their paintings in tow. And we were finally back on the road.

It was a half hour back to the hotel. James has been golfing and let me know they were on the last two holes. And we could meet and have pizza.

But when I let Stephanie and Katrine know (who's husbands were also golfing) they said we should go to the marina and get food there. We could get a golf cart to drive us and the guys could meet us there. Perfect.

So I arranged that once we got back to the resort. And after a bathroom break we would meet outside with the driver and headed to the clubhouse.

Some of our other friends were there already. And it was truly beautiful. I am so glad we got to go down there. Me and Stephanie order food the share. And soon we could see our husbands at the last hole. And we were surprised that they all had caddies! Neat! Apparently that made them all feel intimidated, having an audience, and they all did terrible. To the point they stopped keeping score but it sounds like they still had a ton of fun and that's all that matters.

Some of the friends that were there when we showed up told us some drama we had missed. Apparently someone was charging things to people's wrongs and forging signatures. Thankfully we had not been effected. But it put a sour feeling to some people.

But it was being handled. And we were laughing because the original plan was to leave for Sam's parents at 6. And our food was barely out at it was 605. And I was like don't worry we won't leave before 7. And of course I was right. The next time we were told was 645.

So after we ate. Sharing everything and laughing and being silly. We would get another golf cart up to the lobby to wait.

Where of course no one was. We wouldn't actually leave until 730. But that gave us time to hang out and talk. I got to talk to Sam for a bit. Before the sun went all the way down me and James would take some pictures at different parts of the gardens. And I was just really happy. I feel like I have done everything I set out to do here. If I could have done anything else it would have been more nature and more swimming. But everything I did do just made me so incredibly happy.

But the last sunset I will see in Africa came and went. And we gathered outside to get on the bus. For our last trip to the compound.

And so far it's been so good. The trip here was fairly easy and while there was traffic it wasn't terrible. Sandy did some fancy moves this time in the bus. Backing us up into the compound so it'll be easier to leave. Children surrounded the bus though and were trying to not let us pass which was funny. But Sandy and the guard outside the compound shooed them away. And we safely made it inside.

No blackouts so far! And tonight has been lovely. Despite the many many many flying insects we all sat outside on the porch with Sam's parents friends. And they have been so fun. I exchanged emails with a girl named Juliet and were going to send each other care packages. And we have been dancing and talking and sharing pictures and taking pictures. It has been a blast.

There is another James here. And he's hilarious. Apparently the other James has 17 children. And he is very concerned about me and my James having babies soon. He's like. Do it more!!! Come to Uganda and do it more. Hilarious.

Everyone is drinking and happy and a little sad to be leaving but man are we leaving on a highpoint. The food tonight was good. But I started to get bit up outside so I moved in here and Stephanie joined me. And her and other James sat with me and we had a big long conversation about Christianity and religion and she was very emotional and I found it so sweet. Like to believe something so thoroughly and she is just bursting with joy and love. It reminds me of how my parents expressed her relationship with God. The comfort they find there. And she invited me to her church. And I would consider going even if I have issues with organized religion. Just to see what she sees. From an anthropological standpoint.

I had a really long conversation with a grandma. I don't know who's grandma she was. I think it may be like how everyone calls older women "auntie". But man did I love our conversation.

We talked about the history of Uganda. How there used to be different kingdoms and tribes and how colonialism ruined a lot of it. She explained how there was an order. How if the lowest man in the tribe has a problem there was someone he would go to to fix it and if that did work they go to the next person until it reaches someone who could fix it or the king. And that the British didn't understand that and broke their system. And it reminded me so much of indigenous people in America. And so I told her all about that. Just a few specific places. But she seemed really surprised how much overlap there was. Destroying of traditions and cultures in the pursuit of land. How drawing up map lines split up tribes and forced others together. I told her about residential schools and the horror of that.

We eventually got on the power the people hold and how even in America the electoral college weighs the votes and gives different people different voting power. And how slavery creates the electoral college (slaves can't vote but still count as people) and she was horrified by that. It was just a really really high level conversation and it just felt so nice to have.

I would also talk to Stephanie and Sam's mom about my family history. They were shocked by how much trauma and tragedy has happened in my family. And they praised me for not losing my light and for breaking generational curses. I love my family so much and I am so thankful for everything they have done for me and for the people around them. They showed me how to care for others. And to not let all the darkness make you cruel.

Me and James are hanging out inside now. The bugs have gotten very annoying and keep flying in my eyes. So I came inside to finish this post. Our last day in Uganda!

We will leave for the airport soon. I just feel so blessed. So happy. This was an amazing trip. And I got to experience it with my husband. How lucky am I.

I am also so glad we are going home. Our long journey home starts at 6am. We will fly to Turkey and then to DC. I am really hoping to sleep on the plane. Fingers crossed.

I am not sure how my post will go tomorrow. I will probably write it on the plane and post it when we get home? Unsure. But it will get done.

I love you all so much. And this has been an amazing journey. Until next time!!

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