It feels so good....

At 12:59pm I disembarked San Francisco International airport on a seemingly endless journey of flights and layovers to eventually arrive in Entebbe, Uganda. The first ten hour flight to London was bearable yet filled with bittersweet emotions as I was sad, a bit hungover, and nervous for the adventure ahead of me. Cramped in an economy seat next to two eight year old twins, I was forced to contemplate and mentally prepare myself for the next two years of my life which will be spent living, breathing, and experiencing Uganda and its culture to the fullest.

By the end of the flight I was overwhelmed by sensations of numbness and shock. I can't believe I am actually doing this.

For no reason other than instinct, I hurried off the plane in London disillusioned, no concept of time, and hungry. It was 6:30am and my connecting flight to Dubai did not depart until 8:30pm. Clueless as to how to pass time, I treated myself to my last Starbucks and checked into a lounge where I attempted to sleep on a leather love seat. Time crept by slower than ever; but, I managed to pace myself with breakfast, lunch, beers, and coffee. Eventually, it was time to go to Dubai and I was pleasantly surprised by Emirates airlines as the wine was free and the food was actually delicious. After two glasses of wine and some chicken curry I was able to get some shut eye and before I knew it the plane was touching ground in Dubai. As I exited the plane I was nearly knocked out by the sauna like heat, suffocated, and having difficulty catching my breath. This is when I first started to feel excited about Uganda. It suddenly felt real and I could not wait to get to that tropical heat where you feel like you are constantly blanketed in sunshine and life.

The final flight, Dubai to Entebbe with a stopover in Addis Ababa, was filled with anxiety, anticipation, and excitement. The pure adrenaline high I seek when traveling. I was on my way to Uganda, so close, and I was yearning for it, the bodas s, the matatus, everything. Take me to Uganda and take me there fast.

I endured my flight, despite the Ugandan woman who was seated next to me and subtly attempted to convert me to Christianity the entire four hour flight. I did not realize her motives until the end of the flight when she handed me a small book called Living with Prayer, that had all her contact information on the inside cover. She kissed my hand and told me to call her if I changed my mind.

After waiting in line after line for customs, visa, etc. I left Entebbe International airport with my life packed away in three suitcases, and inevitably started to cry as I entered Uganda. I was back and couldn't be happier. The familiar smells and sounds of Uganda: burning garbage, barbecued goat, sing song horns, made me forget about my exhaustion. I took it all in on the taxi ride from the airport to the hostel and as we pulled up the red dirt road to Red Chilli I knew this was it, this is my life now, and I made the right decision. I left a part of my heart in Uganda and now I am here to reclaim it.

Here is my new cell number: 011256775875539. Feel free to call it, text it, send love!

My love to all and I will miss each of you very much. Keep in touch!