Krazy Kampala

It's probably one of the more unusual landings: pitch black with basically only the lights of the plane lighting of a small area of the airport as you land in Entebbe. There is very little power in the country and that means little light is wasted on extra lights. Once you disembark, the smell in the air hits you - fresh, as the breeze drifts off Lake Victoria. Stars fill the sky, with many familiar constellations hanging at unusual angles (Entebbe is right on the Equator). The sound of music drifts from some unseen village near by.

From there you head to Kampala where you are suddenly in loosely organized chaos. Still there are few lights apart from some candles, naked bulbs hanging from ceilings, or sporadic lights from taxis and boda-boda (bike taxis) as the lights on many taxis turn off when the engine is cut (and most people turn off their engines all the time to save gas). Smells of cooking foods waft in through open windows. People laugh and chat.

Yup, I love this place... and it is only the beginning...

Walking around the city during the day was even more fun. People everywhere selling everything you can imagine, or simply standing around chatting with friends and family. Stores are cramped as are roads - choked might be a better adjective. The air is thick with exhaust and dust, but everyone is laughing and smiling. When the sun came out you could feel your skin cooking. It's hot, but for some reason it didn't feel as hot as I remember tropical places in Asia.

The people though... so friendly, not asking for anything, just having fun joking and laughing about life. After years in Asia, this is the first so called "developing country" where I wasn't attacked right away by everyone wanting to sell me things or to gain my business. Here, it seems, people are more laid back and know if you need their service you will come to them. That being said, when you get to the taxi park, the rules change. Everyone wants to load up fast and get moving. That being said, most of the taxis have their usual destination written on the roof, so even among that craziness there is some semblance of organization.

The landscape: lush, but also very dusty and dirty. Enormous birds fly about, and geckos run amuck in the rooms at night.

I never thought I would say it, but I feel strangely at home here. I feel at peace and calm. I am smiling like all those around me. I am excited about the next 8 months. I'll keep you posted (internet is very very irregular though).

Le Luxembourg

In grade three French, we had to learn all the countries of Western Europe and their capitals in French. I never forgot "le luxembourg et le luxembourg" because it was my guaranteed 2 marks. So obviously when I noticed I would be able to stop in le luxembourg en route to Brussels, I jumped at the chance. Besides, who wouldn't pass up the opportunity to see one of the smallest countries in the world?

It's funny, for all those years I've known almost nothing about this little gem. I had no idea that the touristy core was a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that the city is an ancient walled city stemming from being the site of numerous kingdoms, and not to mention utterly stunning. Below the walls is a lush, green ravine full of flowering trees, jogging trails, and crumbling ancient structures. Behind the walls stand historic buildings centred around cobbled squares and grand cathedrals. Locals move about in fashionable suits, particularly between banks and other businesses, while tourists wander in shorts and t-shirts (it was really hot today). Cafes fill all the gaps (and are therefore everywhere). Crossing the bridges takes you to even more history on one side or modern glass towers on the other.

Maybe all of Europe is like this, I don't know, but I am constantly left wondering now why I never thought about visiting Europe before now....

Easter Party

Before coming to France, I barely ever drank wine. Too much cheese made me feel sick. Eat too much bread and I would fall asleep for hours in a carb-coma. But after 5 days in Paris, my blood is now more Bordeaux than plasma, and I am starting to get bread and cheese love handles.

Yikes!

Truthfully I would say it has been worth it: picnics on the Seine watching the sakura bloom, in front of Sacre Cour (sp?) watching the city turn to lights, or late at night in the open palais of the Louvre, not to mention the countless brunches with friends or stops at delicious local cafes. All good for the soul but perhaps a bit troublesome for the long-term fitness. Sure I swam with Paris Aquatique on a number of days, but still.... a lot of wine is a lot of wine, swim or no swim.

Really though, is there any other way to see Paris?

Easter has been fascinating. My family doesn't have a strong tradition of celebrating the holiday. We might give a rabbit or egg shaped chocolate to each other and maybe squeeze in a family dinner for those who happen to be in Victoria at that moment, but that is it. In Catholic Paris it appears to be a much grander affair. At Sacre Cour hundreds of people crowded the incense filled cathedral singing and praying as the commemoration of the resurrection edged nearer. Outside even more people ate and drank to the entertainment provided by many buskers ranging from jugglers to fire spinners to singers and other artists. Lovers cuddled watching the lights flicker and change in the Paris below (Sacre Cour is on a hill).

Spring and Easter are obviously times of new life, birth and growth. Time to try new things or start new hobbies. It seems the most fitting time to be taking my first trip to Europe, not to mention my new job in Uganda. It's also a time I love and feel so alive during.

Happy Holidays, everyone.

Hanami in Paris

Before leaving Vancouver, I stopped for a few seconds under every sakura (cherry tree) I saw. Breathing deeply, I tried to take in every scent, every molecule of sweet odor with me. I wanted to savor the delicate aroma of every breath. Since my time in Japan, I have been in love with the smell of sakura. It fills me with a sense of peace, but also of new adventures, since spring often brings with it new growth (many of my best jobs, relationships, etc. have begun in the spring).

I never imagined I'd be sitting under sakura next to Notre Dame, eating a baguette sandwich slightly shaded from the beaming sun. I reserved the idea of hanami (loosely translated as sitting under sakura and having a pinic) for Japan, Kyoto in particular, and more recently Vancouver. I though sakura were unique to the Pacific northern nations.

But no, Paris seems to have it all: beautiful old buildings, colourful gardens in full bloom, ornate churches, museums, and yes, sakura too. The contrast couldn't be more stark. Bold, permanent cement structures, often with incredibly elaborate and ornate decor - light, pink, soft and delicate flowers blowing in the wind. This must be one of Paris's more poetic contrasts.

Je t'aime Paris!

(to be continued)

Europe 101

OK, why did I never think of coming to visit Europe until now? So far, it is very very beautiful. I loved the bikes zipping all about the Netherlands, and the ornate and grand architecture of Brussels... wow...

I feel like I am in a storybook.

Today I am in Paris and off to explore the famous parts of the city. Is there any other Paris out there?

I am staying in 14e and love to see older women hang their sheets on their tiny Romeo and Juliet balconies, or poke there head out and chat with a neighbour, someone down below, or just peer out at the world going by. Really, it is like all those old movies. Who would have thought the Paris on film is so close to the Paris I am seeing out of my friend's apartment window?

Off to go explore more....

Debra's Cupcakes

"Let it go..." My mantra right now. After so many years in Buddhist countries, you would think I would have osmotically gotten the hang of the "detachment" part of Buddhist philosophy. Truthfully, I thought maybe I had, until I was rudely awaken to reality as I turned into a
blubbering mess when I walked through the doors of no return (aka: airport security).

How does one become so attached to people, a place and a way of life? What happened? 6 years ago (to the day) I came to Vancouver basically to wash my clothes as I moved on to the Yukon. I have still never been to the Yukon. I was bitten by the "attachment bug" and I am still rubbing the sore on my arm.

Ya, I know, the concept of detachment in Buddhism is a bit more complicated. It hinges on the idea of knowing that all is impermanent , all is in flux, everything is changing and will continue
to. No need to worry about what will be. Instead, live in the present and live for today. Don't even peek at the next chapter of the book or try and get your hands on the Cole's Notes version.

I get it, in theory. But then it seems that life gets in the way and the little things become things you feel like you can't live without. Waking up next to the love of your life; walking along the beach or through the forest; playing games with friends; spending time with family.

Maybe I am just being introspective though because I am sitting at the airport, looking out at the snow covered mountains gleaming in the first real Spring day we've had this year, flowers blooming all over, and thinking I won't be back until December.... the dark, beginning wet phases of winter.

Or maybe I just miss everyone terribly and need to go back and read my old Buddhist books...

As one of my favourite bosses used to say (to others - never to me): suck it up cupcake.

Question of the day (or next few days)

When you travel, what is the one (or six) thing(s) that you always make sure you take with you, apart from the usual (passport, toothbrush, etc.)?

Maybe I shouldn't be so presumptuous. Maybe you have some fun trick up your sleeve for getting around a passport, or maybe you use baking soda for your teeth (yuk!)... do share! Inquiring minds want to know (and so do the soon-to-be-packing types like me).

Excited or nervous, I still can't figure it out

It's Thursday night, four days before I head out on my new adventure. Emotions are all over the map. One minute I am elated, the next terrified, and then in comes excitement.

Am I packed? Of course not.

Have I started? Well, there is a random pile of stuff in a mound in the back room, but I think that is mostly stuff I never unpacked from my trip to Winnipeg a few weeks ago.

Where did the time go?

This is my new blog
Welcome!

I can't promise wit, insight or really anything other than random thoughts that surface during my day. I hope you find something in it that makes you smile (or ponder or question).

...and if you don't like what you read here, try the "hangman" game on the side bar. It's kinda fun...

First Update:
I am off to Europe on Monday, en route to Uganda where I will be living/working for the next eight months. If anyone is interested, my grass hut door will always be open (literally). Come join me!