Kampala

I could tell I was getting closer to Kampala because the traffic was starting to get congested. Although Kampala has a reputation for being one of the safest capital cities in Africa, its downfall is the traffic jams it frequently experiences. The matatu I was in was hardly moving once we were in central Kampala, so I decided to get out and get a boda boda to Red Chili Resthouse, about 6km outside of the centre. I dropped off my large pack and headed back into town. I tried to change some travellers cheques that I didn't have the receipt for but with no luck. I browsed great bookstore and bought a book on Mammals of Africa. I have a similar book at home but thought I would be ok if I left it at home but I'm feeling lost without an ID book. I really like the one I bought, lots of color photos, info and distribution maps.
Kampala is a busy city with traffic and people and I didn't really like it but I don't really like any cities that much. Though I have seen much worse cities than Kampala. To me cities are just an unfortunate stopover between national parks and wild areas. They do have their benefits of cheap internet,good food and sometimes a cinema but after a day or 2, I'm ready to leave. I'm never in a park and thinking, ' Oh, I can't wait to get back to the city!' That's why I choose to stay out of the city at Red Chili. The place is full of foreigners and I see the Americans I met at Sipi Falls. I also came to Red Chili to book a budget safari to Murchison Falls National Park. There is no public transport in the park and it would be much more expensive to hire my own vehicle so this is my only option for visiting the park. The 3 day tour doesn't leave until wednesday, it's monday now so I have to spend another day in the city.
I hangout at Red Chili for the afternoon and go back into the city for cheap and fast internet and some lunch. I eat dinner alone and go to bed early. We are leaving for the park at 8am tomorrow morning.