Best Laid Plans
May, 1 2014
After
much preparation I was ready and
eager to leave Kayunga and head up to the farm, finally! The initial
shopping in Kampala and meetings were completed. I now had to pick
up the orders from Joint Medical Stores, Nice House of Plastics, pick
up Terence our new accountant and administrator for Emmanuel clinic,
meet Richard, buy a few items for Rogers, a sewing machine and off we
go. After much thought and a few negotiations with AIDSpirit it was
determined best I use their bus for the trip as I had a lot of items
to bring to the farm. Included with my 4 tubs were the printer and
supplies for the clinic, books, mosquito nets, medicines, water test
kits, and 1000 cups for the school outreach and water cleanliness
project we implemented a few years ago with bio sand water filters,
hygiene, hand washing and sanitation. There was only 3 people and
the driver going, however it was going to be a hassle for me to get a
vehicle from Kayunga and then another one from Kampala. AIDSpirit
would hire a van for them for the day. All was set and I was ready
to go! We were a little late starting off as Charles had some things
to finish up in Kayunga, eventually off
we went. I heard from Richard an hour into the trip that he had
arrived
Kampala. We planned a meeting place and all was well. A few
minutes later, I recieve another phone call and he tells me all is
closed as it is a government holiday......labor day. Go figure.
Joint medical stores and Nice house of plastics is closed. So now I
have a bus enroute that is very expensive with little people and just
my tubs printer and a few supplies. Now what to do. I could not see
paying that large sum for fuel etc, so we juggled around and thought
of a way to get all my tubs on public transportation which meant they
would have to go on the roof. I talked with AIDSpirit and they
graciously said they would bring my stuff up when they came in a few
days...so I sent my stuff back on the bus with Charles to Kayunga and
just kept my backpack and small suitcase. We then hired a small car
to take the sewing machine to Grace and pick up Terence. Since this
part of the trip was already costing over $100 I thought I should
take the public bus so off we were headed to the bus park. Now
Terence has a broken leg and is in a cast. I would also have to pay
this driver. Out of the blue, I thought to ask him what it would
take to drive us in this small car to the farm. He said he goes to
Masindi every week to pick up people and would be glad to do it, has
a car that makes the trip well and knows the road. I am so thankful
for Ranae and her gift to me prior to leaving on the trip and
remembered her telling me, if you get in a bind, don't struggle and
take the public bus. Use this money. So, I did...and was so so
thankful, I had that reserve. Now, I figured I would save it for
later in the trip, not blow it all in one day early on...but it made
it easier and i could make stops along he way to go to the toilet and
buy fruits and vegetables, etc. We made it in record time, even before
dark which was amazing. What is also amazing is that the Ugandans do
not seem to have it on their radar when there is a public holiday!!!
Lots of stores are open as in our country on holidays, but major
businesses and the government are all closed similar to ours. I think
as oblivious as I am to things at times, I would know it was a public
holiday?!. So, the best laid plans....turned into..... when
all else fails...go to plan B, C, D and all the way to Z if you have
to! And, I am digging deep within me for the grace and ease aspect of
this day! Thankfully, I only felt the panic and stress of the situation
momentarily and moved on...to the bright side. I am so looking forward
to my first day on the farm!
Nadine
