So how was my day, today??? Actually, it was rather relaxing! After completing this morning's blog post, I had breakfast with Nana Yaa, the Partners Worldwide coordinator for East Africa, so that we could get to know each other a little better, talk about our trip next week to Tanzania, and share stories about family, friends and food (yes, Nana Yaa the word is going to get out about you and food...).
Always the networker, this afternoon I met with a couple of different Ugandan engineering firms -- NewPlan and Kagga & Partners. It was really good to meet people here in Uganda with similar backgrounds to mine, but with vastly different experiences. We shared with each other the types of civil engineering projects we both work on and the services our respective firms provide... but mostly, we discussed the similarities and differences in how we advance projects through the process to eventually be constructed. Life in Uganda is much simpler and more laid back...
So, my big "adventure" for today -- being stranded in downtown Kampala... and, I had a nice leisurely walk back to the hotel -- 2 to 3 miles away! (Yes, honey, I made it just fine)
Here's how the story goes... I got finished in my meeting with NewPlan at their office in the heart of downtown (see photo) and couldn't get a hold of anyone to pick me up... I had taken a taxi from my hotel to the meeting and the driver had given me his cell phone number to call him when I was done... obviously, I didn't write the number down correctly, because I got a "call failed" tone more than once when I tried to call him... I thought about contacting Nana Yaa, but I knew she was supposed to be in a meeting at the conference hotel, which is right near where I was at... And I wasn't about to get on one of the bodas (the motorbike "taxis" so prevalent here) -- at least, not yet... So, I improvised and took off down the street walking -- I figured if I looked confident in where I was going, I would manage...At this point, you're probably asking "So, how did he know how to get back to his hotel?" Well, that's a good question... because I wasn't 100% certain myself... on the way to NewPlan's office, though, I rode in the front seat with the taxi driver, and being the engineer that I am (those out there who are one or love one, know where I'm going with this...), I watched the route he took very closely -- examining the roundabouts and the street system -- and pretty much remembered it... following it backwards was a little bit of a challenge, though...
I will have to say I got to see a side of the city you won't see from the back of a taxi... like the Uganda Parliament (see right) or some of the other interesting buildings (like this bank behind its security fence)
... or the diversity of people -- business men and women; military, police and security guards; parking attendants; street vendors; and beggars... and yes, I was one of the very, very few Caucasian people on the street -- but, that didn't make me feel uncomfortable. I just said a little prayer and started on my way...About 30 minutes and 2 to 3 miles later, I was standing back in my hotel -- sweating a lot, because of the humidity (Temp. was about 75 degrees, but humid) -- and trying to cool off before meeting with the gentleman from Kagga & Partners.
Isn't it great how God gives you the confidence to deal with life's "small" challenges? It's just a matter of practicing the presence of God in your ordinary moments -- whether at work or at home or being stranded on a street corner in Kampala, Uganda -- so that it's easy to call on Him for help, even if it's just to get directions back to your hotel...
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