Wednesday, January 10, 2007

From the boondocks to very sunny Kampala

I don't know if its because I have been moving about in the cooler climes of Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Mbarara and Rukungiri that I feel this city has turned into a 24/7 steam bath or if thats how its been all along. I can't cover myself at night and that means I am having issues with those ear loving insects (having always considered myself to cool to sleep under a mosquito net.

The travelling around has been a good break and I feel somewhat rejuvenated. Got some business done and checked on sme people I share DNA with, who I would have not seen for another decade or so.

Something struck me about many of the places I visited. There seems to be some serious progress in general but a lot more in things entertainment related all over the place. There are satelite dishes at every trading centre and the premiership is serious business everywhere. Two builders at my great-aunt's place in Ruk town (I didnt make that up, some guys actually refer to Rukungiri that way) where having a very heated and informed argument about whether Chelsea had any chance of retaining the premiereship trophy. If any of you had seen these guys you would understand why I was surprised.

There are places where one can actually hangout and have a pleasant time out there. There are some nice night spots in these towns. Had I called Ntungamo a one-horse-town the last time I passed through, I would have been insulting one-horse-towns the world over. The town went and got itself a horse and its now a place I wouldn't mind spending a night in. I did have drinks with some of the towns well heeled people at a bar that puts my usual watering whole to shame and I quite liked the experience.

I guess thats why these places haven't been spared that bloody scourge that is driving me stark raving bonkers, CALYPSO. There is no escaping the damn dance. Twice, at a wedding in Bushenyi and at another kikeesa in remote Rukungiri, I noticed the calypso is the only dance anybody seems to know. Whether the song be Omwana Wa Bandi or Ridin' Derty everybody moves about like they just broke their backs or something.

Being out there gets one to put many things in perspective. Nobody seems to give out formal invitations to some social functions. Somehow those who have to attend will be present and those that were not formally invited will not be bounced. I guess because the food is cheap and they cook it in amounts that are quit mindboggling (at least to me) they know everybody will be fed. The phrase "the more the merrier" is taken quite seriously in those parts.

Now that I am having my brains fried in K'la I am beginning to miss the "boondocks", their cool climate and laid back air.

16 comments:

ish said...

i know calypso as in the type of music, but obba what is calypso the dance

Saadiq said...

boondocks rock!!i noticed u passed thru my hood in previous entry(kyaka) well atleast i know a couple of peeps down there..kati about that calypso dance..is it anything like the dutty wine dance coz i'd be jiggered if people were doing that there!!!

psstt...im bringing the drinks..Baz and Iwaya the meat...all u have do is tell us more boondocks stories,kawa?

Anonymous said...

Calypso gets to me real bad all the bu kids at my home think its the in thing and then they go like they got no collar(sp)bones..

Iwaya said...

somehow i get the feeling that seeing the "look of surprise" on your face would be one of the pivotal moments in my life!

Kenyanchick said...

I miss Rukungiri! It's the place when I first displayed my astonishing Runyakole-speaking skills!

Although, it might have just been the waragi talking...

Welcome back!

Jay said...

Goddess, Calypso is some dance from way back in the day that has somehow resurfaced in Kampala.

Joshi the stories are many, I will let you hwere and when.

So kenyanchick speaks Runyankore.... hmmm

Baz said...

The most intransigent betacomments in blogland. Finally get to say what's up.

Stories from the boondocks are a whole genre in themselves, but somehow Jay, you strike me more as Brett Easton Ellis than James Herriot.

(Have I got that right?)

ish said...

oh brother where art thou...

John Powers said...

So cool to see you get props in The Monitor the other day! Jay you've really been great about jump starting Ugandan blogs and it's nice to see you get some credit.

Cheri said...

Jay, while u were away....ah, who are my kidding? Where are u?

show face.

This feels like a long distance relationship.Only that the communication lines are broken.

The 0ne said...

Where are you? Even I don't take this long to post...(You will also notice,I'm sure, that I do not apologise for not blogging)

Minty said...

Jay? Now we see you now we don't.

eddiie said...

Don`t you think you hvae hidden enough?,,,,.......

Saadiq said...

dude u done started again???brother where art thou? u owe me those boondocks storoz..

Jay said...

will be putting up picks of my travels soon

Tuppa said...

I like the way you write.
It's my first time here. I was jumping from blog to blog and here I am.
I'm waiting for the next story, as a kid waits for the "lala salama" story :)
Roberta