And man was it hot!!
I re-upped with Steve of Free Guided Walking Tours Kampala at 10am Saturday morning for the ‘no admissions’ Kampala tour. Ron from Chicago was also on the tour with us.
The itinerary is:
- Makerere University.
- Katanga Slums.
- East African Craft Market.
- Independence Monument.
- Nakasero food Market.
- Hindu temple.
- City center.
- Owino daily Market.
- Namirembe cathedral
We met at the university, Steve gave us some history and we got to chat with a history lecturer in his office for a while. This talented painter and ceramics artist also does private interactive classes, so I took his card for my family’s upcoming visit!
We also witnessed some art in the making
We walked through the slums on our way to the market. It was enlightening, not scary or intimidating. Again I recognized the privilege of my birth with gratitude. While chatting with Steve later I asked where I might donate some clothes before leaving Kampala and he suggested we return to the slum when I am ready and we can give the clothes directly to some women. That guarantees they won’t have to pay. What a blessing for me too!
The craft market was very nice. Not horribly crowded. I look forward to taking my family there as well. I wasn’t going to buy anything but fell in love with a maxi skirt. When I wear it I will post pictures!
The independence monument is touching and inspiring. It is huge! A woman, wrapped up representing her bondage but holding her child up to the sky. The child is free of bondage and reaching up in hope! Steve also filled us in on much of the history leading up to independence and beyond.
We saw so many storks. Ron and I were regularly distracted by them. But really, how could we not be!
We checked out a food market, a temple, from the outside of course, and also walked through city centre. My second time with Steve. Here is what the huge matatu stations look like – where I caught my ride to the equator. Insane!!
We managed a matatu ride between markets. And then Steve got the three of us bodabodas for our last destination, the largest Anglican cathedral in Kampala. Yeah, I felt some Anglican pride 🙂 Not being Sunday, we only saw it from the outside.
But the view of the city!!
A quick selfie and I was off for home.
All in all, we spent about 4 1/2 hours roaming the city. It was such an incredible experience. Steve works by tip, so if you take tours like this please keep in mind the time and effort of the guide and that this is their job, and be sure to pay what you can!
One more note, a tip from a cocky northern Canadian, don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen when sweating like you’re in a sauna. Waterproof doesn’t mean it doesn’t wipe off… Doh!
A Travelling Accountant 