While across the globe we were able to see the majesty of God's creation. Uganda is a beautiful country. We traveled west to Queen Elizabeth Game Park. On the way we stopped in Fort Portal. We met the missionary families there: Jeff and Cheryl Cash, and another couple that just arrived. We visited the site where the teens of Uganda have church camp. It is an amazingly beautiful place. Of the 5 people on our mission team, 3 of us are mechanical engineers. So, we looked at what might be a possible way to provide clean water to the camp. We hope to continue to work with them on this project.
That night was my rough night of the trip. I was up all night sick. Finally the doctor on the trip, Ellen, gave me a shot to allow me to sleep it off. I guess you have to have one trying night, or it would not be a complete trip to Africa. Thankfully, that was a bad as it got. Tuesday we made our way to the park. It was different than I expected. When driving down the road to the park, I thought we would go check in at the lodge and then go look for animals. Little did I know, we were already in the park, when we started seeing the cape buffalo and the warthogs (Pumbas). It was amazing. We checked into our accommodations. Half the group stayed in the nice lodge. Kurt and I and Mark and Jamie stayed in the less expensive hostel. It is less expensive for a reason, but made for an interesting adventure. Both newlywed couple found themselves in rooms with twin beds with individual mosquito nets. That afternoon we took a boat ride down the canal. We were able to get so close to lots of hippos, saw elephants, cape buffalo, crocodiles, and lots of birds. I think the boat ride was my favorite part. That evening we all had dinner at the lodge. While enjoying our dinner on the patio, we watched as a hippo made his way to within 10 feet of the patio to graze. It was then we experienced what it meant to be in a park with out fences. I thought it was so cool that I wanted my picture with the hippo. As I proceeded off the porch so that Kurt could take my picture with the hippo, I was emphatically called back to the porch by other visitors. Hippos kill more humans than any other animal in Africa. They become very vicious when threatened. I guess I got a little too close... but he looked so cute and harmless just eating the grass. At least the warthog let me get a little closer. (but I definitely kept an eye on those tusks!) The next day we enjoyed our game rides. We saw water buck, Ugandan kob, 2 lionesses and 2 lion cubs. The lions were cool, but I did not have the same courage I had the day before with the hippo. I think the lioness naturally demands respect. I scared myself when the lioness turned her head towards me, forgetting I was looking through binoculars. We enjoyed our time there at the park. It was definitely an experience of a lifetime. I would like to go again to see giraffes and monkeys though. Maybe next time...
