The last six weeks has been absolutely amazing as we have lived the family holiday of my dreams! To have Browny and all four of our grown up sons here in Uganda has far, far exceed all my expectations. I feel unbelievably lucky that we were able to pull it off and will treasure the memories from this trip forever!
The first few weeks was all about showing Browny and the boys everything that has been achieved at Suubi. They had heard so much about it all, and had been such an important part of making it all happen, so when it came time to showing them in real life, it really was a buzz for all of us. Then we went on tour around Uganda to learn from other successful projects so that we could incorporate the best of what they are doing into Suubi. We had a fabulous time doing all that HUGging, but the last week has been lovely for us just to chill out and have some fun together.
We headed to Bujagali on August 6th so that we could be there for Dustyn's 28th birthday. The plan had been that the boys would bungee jump into the Nile to celebrate the occasion but we got a little side tracked when Ruby (our van) decided to stop in her tracks for a couple of hours. Something had rattled around during our trip back from Gulu and part of the four wheel drive mechanism had become wedged in the front tyre. It took us a few hours to get a mechanic out to fix it but that didn't stop us from having some laughs on the side of the road. Brenton pulled out a deck of cards to pass the time and the boys laughed their heads off as they realised I could do things they never dreamed I would!!!
The first few weeks was all about showing Browny and the boys everything that has been achieved at Suubi. They had heard so much about it all, and had been such an important part of making it all happen, so when it came time to showing them in real life, it really was a buzz for all of us. Then we went on tour around Uganda to learn from other successful projects so that we could incorporate the best of what they are doing into Suubi. We had a fabulous time doing all that HUGging, but the last week has been lovely for us just to chill out and have some fun together.
We headed to Bujagali on August 6th so that we could be there for Dustyn's 28th birthday. The plan had been that the boys would bungee jump into the Nile to celebrate the occasion but we got a little side tracked when Ruby (our van) decided to stop in her tracks for a couple of hours. Something had rattled around during our trip back from Gulu and part of the four wheel drive mechanism had become wedged in the front tyre. It took us a few hours to get a mechanic out to fix it but that didn't stop us from having some laughs on the side of the road. Brenton pulled out a deck of cards to pass the time and the boys laughed their heads off as they realised I could do things they never dreamed I would!!!
Anyone for a game of cards while we wait?
No pit latrine in sight...........not a problem for 'boys'!!!
Once we finally reached Bujagali and had been there for a couple of days the boys decided that they would rather go white water rafting instead of bungeeing. They had jumped from the tallest bungee tower in the world while they had been in South Africa for the world cup, so a new adrenaline rush seemed the way to go. A mix up on the first day of trying to organise rafting found all six of us spending the day doing some more leisurely 'tubing' down the river. We had lots of laughs tipping each other out of the tubes but it meant us oldies didn't have to face the really big grade five rapids. Browny and I had done it in 2007 so when it came time for actual rafting we opted for the gentler option of taking the photos!
Running late.......Brenton, Chad, Dustyn and Ryley chowed down on breakfast in the back of the rafting truck.
They were lucky to keep it down as they went through Bujagali Falls!
They were lucky to keep it down as they went through Bujagali Falls!
Also during the last week we have had a chance to catch up with many of our friends from past trips to Uganda. It is a lovely feeling to be welcomed back with such enthusiasm and great to be able to introduce Dustyn and Ryley to the many people they have only heard about and spoken to on the phone in the past.
Joseph is one of the many kids I have watched grow up during my visits to Uganda over the last 4 years.
Harriet served up a feast when we had dinner with her and Dora, Joy, Hope and Dennis.
Harriet served up a feast when we had dinner with her and Dora, Joy, Hope and Dennis.
We also got a chance to spend a fair bit of time with O4no, Silagi, Fred and Simon who are all great friends from our past trips to Bujagali. Browny had taught O4no how to hand sign write when he was here in 2007. Sign writing is usually done with a stencil in Uganda so he was very proud to show Browny signs he had made around the village. O4 has also started screen printing over the last couple of years so he designed us a new HUG shirt and printed them during our stay.
O4no and Browny checked out his hand written work. Well done!
O4no screened our new HUG shirts .
Don't we all look at treat!
O4no and Browny checked out his hand written work. Well done!
O4no screened our new HUG shirts .
Don't we all look at treat!
Later in the week Ryley and I took the opportunity to go for a village walk with Asha. This is quite a expedition around three of the local villages. We stopped off at the river so she could wash some of Chad's shoes and then we visited one of her family friends homes where Ida (the Mum) roasted us up some G nuts and casava. Last of all we stopped into her home to visit with her Grandfather and other family members. The whole journey took us more than four hours and boy were we hot and tired by the end of the trip, but it was a fantastic way to get a glimpse into real village life. Thanks Asha!
Asha showed off her bendable body to Ryley as she washed in the river.
Ida and her family welcomed us into their home.
Asha showed off her bendable body to Ryley as she washed in the river.
Ida and her family welcomed us into their home.
Having had Browny and Dustyn head back to Australia on Wednesday, yesterday it was our turn to farewell everyone in Bujagali. We spent the morning assuring everyone that we be back. It is too hard to say goodbye so 'tunalabagana' (see you again) was much easier.
O4 and Silagi were happy to hear that we will be coming back again.
O4 and Silagi were happy to hear that we will be coming back again.
Our six week Brown family adventure all together in Uganda finally came to an end today as I farewelled Chad, Ryely and Brenton at the airport. It was tough to realise that it will be a long time before we are all back together again, but it helps to know that no matter where we all are in the world we will always be together in our hearts. Thanks to all of my amazing boys you for being you!
One for the family album - Us six Brown's together in front of the Nile
One for the family album - Us six Brown's together in front of the Nile
HUGs from me!
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