How do you find Africa?

This is a question I have been getting asked a lot as I meet people so I’ll answer it for anyone reading. #1. The people are amazingly hospitable and welcoming. You will have a fresh beer or juice at your table before you even ask for it. #2. The potholes are worse (way worse) than Minnesota. If you thought you might blow out a tire on a pothole in MN you would likely blow out an axle here on a cavern. The roads lack attention many are dirt or clay (not paved) and the rides are rough (car sickness people need not apply) #3 Tropical regions have amazing fruit. Uganda and Thailand are competing tirelessly for a top spot on my fruit list. #4 This place is GREEN. Don’t mean environmentally friendly either I have many a times gotten a face full of exhaust when you are climbing one of Kampala’s many hills behind a cement truck, but I mean lush. Everything is green. Its very humid and warm here which keeps it all green but being considered the Pearl of Africa Uganda seems like one big green jungle with a city cut into it. Its very beautiful. #5 You never have a beer, have a soda or have breakfast, you take it (Would you like to take a beer?) #6 Even if you don’t think I am learning about work stuff I am. Being that this is a business and vocational exchange we did a plant/company visit to Quality Chemicals Inc. This is the largest drug manufacturer in East Africa and they make anti-retroviral drugs (for HIV patients) and anti malarial. Both drugs which are highly in need in Africa and need to be affordable and accessible. I talked with the HR manager as well as discussed personal assessments with the facility Pharmacist. Watch out Cargill you may be getting a new leadership model from Africa! #7 My hosts rock! My first two nights I was hosted by a wonderful couple that worked in the transport and beauty school industries. Very friendly people.. their names were Daudi and FLorenence. Now I am at the Kironde home of Evelyn and Samson. Evelyn is in Marketing and is a very fun and easy going person and Samson was a Rhodes Scholar and now works as a doctor in AIDS work. He works with USAID to help spread AIDS medication across the country. Both wonderful people. Then there is little Layton 3 months and LeRoy (turns 4 on Monday) and he is a HAM. We have had fun this week so far. #8 You can start a fire anywhere, trash fires, cooking fires, in backyards on the side of the road etc. This combined with the aforementioned cement truck exhaust make for a delightful scent at times, but with all the green I am sure those plants just love drinking up that CO2 #9 They drive on the British side of the road (different from us in the U.S.) I have walked to the driver side door twice now when leaving the house. That would be a disaster. #10 Coffee is instant. You never take coffee straight in the cup. You get hot water or milk and then put a spoon of dried instant coffee in, stir and enjoy. The taste is great and its easy. Coffee anytime is helpful when still battling the 8 hour time difference. And #11 Dinner is served! (mostly any time after 10pm) a bit of an adjustment for an early bird dinner eater like me. We are off to an orphanage today that is sponsored by Rotary. A great trip so far, learning a lot and thankful for the opportunity.