I didn't even sit up, just lifted my head for a few seconds to try and focus. Was my bed moving or was I just dizzy. But it continued for a lot longer than I expected. I wondered at first if it was a lorry on a nearby road. I looked at my clock, just after 5, a little bit longer before I have to get up. I just rolled over. I would be no good in emergencies.
I asked in the staffroom; Did anyone else feel the tremor this morning? Yes. Turns out it was a little shake after all, 4.9 is 'moderate' apparently, following on from the quake in the Indian Ocean. Not quite as 'exciting' as Mud's experience - but, I think a bit of shake on the first day of term is a sign. Hopefully a good one.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Highs and lows of adventures in Uganda
One of the best feelings in the world: Diving into an 11 000 year old crater lake on a hot day in Fort Portal.
One of the worst feelings in the world: Spending the night on the floor in the bathroom, rather than in your bed after said swim.
I still love you Uganda!
I'm back in the shiny city of Nairobi. I cried on the way back from the airport...a little dramatic perhaps for post-holiday blues. After a run this morning, endless cups of tea and coffee with a friend...I thought...it is not so bad here! But, for now, I am happy to relive my holiday through my photos. Stories to come.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
This is what you get by not having UN plates
Getting waved to the side of the road by two policemen shouldn't really be anything to worry about, when you know you haven't done anything wrong.
But you do. I did. I smiled and asked what the problem was, as the two policemen waved there machine guns around. They asked me to come further off the road. I was thankful that it was quite a busy street and just smiled. I checked they were wearing there pin numbers, they were. so apparently they were on duty.
They said I was on my mobile. Mmm. No. I wasn't. (I really wasn't.)
I ended up flattering the policeman with the breathe smelling of booze, thanking him that he is trying to do a good job.
He hadn't been drinking he said. Well I wasn't using my phone, I said. Have a good day. He needs my mobile he says, to check the log. I understand, I will help you and show you my log. Or, if you would like I'll be happy to drive to the nearest station to show them.
Goodbye.
Just happy to leave, with my mobile and money still in my purse.
Really-there is nothing for it, but go for a glass of wine, who cares if I'm still in my running gear.
Then I think,bugger, I should have taken down their pin numbers. Then I think, what's the point. Sad, isn't it?
Like the fact, that (even though I don't get road rage) I have taken to use my camera (on my phone..I promise I wasn't doing this when the police stopped me!) to take photos of bad drivers. Why? Am I going to go to the police about some woman that nearly drove into me near school. No, but it makes me feel better!
(PS- I know this is not unusual. (Not the Batman thing.) My friend got pulled over 5 times on the road from Mombasa to Nairobi when we travelled in convoy in October. He didn't have a liscense so ended up paying a small fortune in bribes, which we all found quite funny at the time. But I really didn't do anything wrong...)
But you do. I did. I smiled and asked what the problem was, as the two policemen waved there machine guns around. They asked me to come further off the road. I was thankful that it was quite a busy street and just smiled. I checked they were wearing there pin numbers, they were. so apparently they were on duty.
They said I was on my mobile. Mmm. No. I wasn't. (I really wasn't.)
I ended up flattering the policeman with the breathe smelling of booze, thanking him that he is trying to do a good job.
He hadn't been drinking he said. Well I wasn't using my phone, I said. Have a good day. He needs my mobile he says, to check the log. I understand, I will help you and show you my log. Or, if you would like I'll be happy to drive to the nearest station to show them.
Goodbye.
Just happy to leave, with my mobile and money still in my purse.
Really-there is nothing for it, but go for a glass of wine, who cares if I'm still in my running gear.
Then I think,bugger, I should have taken down their pin numbers. Then I think, what's the point. Sad, isn't it?
Like the fact, that (even though I don't get road rage) I have taken to use my camera (on my phone..I promise I wasn't doing this when the police stopped me!) to take photos of bad drivers. Why? Am I going to go to the police about some woman that nearly drove into me near school. No, but it makes me feel better!
 |
| YOU CAN'T DRIVE! |
Aaaaah-that's it! All better now.
Maybe I should just wear my costume...my Robin one, more often!
Maybe I should just wear my costume...my Robin one, more often!
(PS- I know this is not unusual. (Not the Batman thing.) My friend got pulled over 5 times on the road from Mombasa to Nairobi when we travelled in convoy in October. He didn't have a liscense so ended up paying a small fortune in bribes, which we all found quite funny at the time. But I really didn't do anything wrong...)
Sunday, April 1, 2012
It's raining
There were signs this weekend and everyone I spoke to predicted the rains to come by Friday, but it is raining. It's not heavy though, not yet, I wonder if they will stay.
You cannot be seen to wish the rains to stay away. We all love the sun, but the heat is pretty stifling at the moment. We just hope they will come slowly, at first, the farmers need the land to have a quick drink so that they are thirsty for more. Hopefully the rains will not bring destruction and power cuts with it.
A lioness is prowling around the neighbourhood of Karen, disturbing the dogs and getting familiar with some gardens. Looking for food and water I guess.
This is not unusual really, last year 3 lions ran out in front on African Adventurer's car in the same area...on the same night that I saw the biggest cane rat in Kampala...my story did not quite have the same impact once he had shared his!(Have I shared that story? Sorry if I have, but I swear, if that rat was any bigger, you just needed to put a saddle on it and you could ride it! It nearly ruined going to the Irish pub for me!)
I can't say that I was (am) in a hurry for the rains to get here, (ssshhh-don't tell anyone!) because I will be sad to lose my runs in the forest. But, I am looking forward to not having ants in everything I own and sleeping through the night, rather than drowning in a pile of sweat. I'll leave you with that image.
You cannot be seen to wish the rains to stay away. We all love the sun, but the heat is pretty stifling at the moment. We just hope they will come slowly, at first, the farmers need the land to have a quick drink so that they are thirsty for more. Hopefully the rains will not bring destruction and power cuts with it.
A lioness is prowling around the neighbourhood of Karen, disturbing the dogs and getting familiar with some gardens. Looking for food and water I guess.
This is not unusual really, last year 3 lions ran out in front on African Adventurer's car in the same area...on the same night that I saw the biggest cane rat in Kampala...my story did not quite have the same impact once he had shared his!(Have I shared that story? Sorry if I have, but I swear, if that rat was any bigger, you just needed to put a saddle on it and you could ride it! It nearly ruined going to the Irish pub for me!)
I can't say that I was (am) in a hurry for the rains to get here, (ssshhh-don't tell anyone!) because I will be sad to lose my runs in the forest. But, I am looking forward to not having ants in everything I own and sleeping through the night, rather than drowning in a pile of sweat. I'll leave you with that image.
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