Sorry for all the "deep" posts we've been posting! I forgot we were supposed to have fun, so with that in mind, we'll be posting some fun and hopefully amusing updates. They're probably more for us than you, because as we have written them up, we again have relived the moments. We've been reminded just how much our lives really do look like Seinfeld episodes:)
Uganda jam isn't found in a jar. You don't drink it with tea or put it on bread (like the sound of music), instead you sit in it and try to enjoy the many many minutes you are given to ponder how to change the world.
Traffic jams can happen suddenly. On our way to the airport this last time, I wanted to stop on the way and take my friends, Randy and Alisa, to eat at a nice restaurant as our way of saying, “Thank You” as well as good bye. They are leaving for a time of rest this upcoming June and our family will moving over to try to fill their LARGE shoes.
I thought we left our base in plenty of time to make it to my favorite restaurant, but NO. The famous Uganda “jam” happened. You see, there are very few working stop lights in Uganda. Even when there is a working stop light, you ignore it, because there is probably a white coat traffic officer whistling and directing the flow.You have to be careful, because if you yell at them to let them know they are allowing one line of traffic to go more than your line, you will be doomed. Even if you are starving and watching the clock tick tick tick away. They will turn their back to you, ignore you and the entire "class" will have to pay for your outburst. "No Moving for YOU!" (said like the soup Nazi on Seinfeld)
Back to the jam. We sat in the same spot for over 30 minutes, which meant we couldn’t stop to eat or we may not make it for our departing flight on time.
When you hit a jam, you turn off your engine and just sit. That's when you wish you were on a moped taxi, called a boda boda. They zip in between cars, onto sidewalks, over embankments or do whatever necessary to continue on their way. I have another story to share with you about just this experience. That will be up and coming!
Since you are stuck, it's a great time to shop. YES, I said shop. You see, you get to enjoy a preview of almost anything and everything you can think of. It’s like a walking dollar store before your eyes. People walk by your car carrying the most random things. For instance, while sitting in another jam, Mike decided he needed some sunglasses. He found a pair of Oakley’s, I mean Oakies and loved them. The lens popped out a few days later, but what do you expect from Oakies! If you need a map, belt, bug zapper, hanger, basket, newspaper, peanuts, bra and the list goes on and on, you can find it on the streets while waiting in a jam.
Something to ponder. There might be some kind of arrangement between the white coats and the vendors. I mean, they create a captive audience of buyers SUDDENLY. I can't prove it, but just something to consider. (I'm joking, kind of :)
We are thankful for the police in Uganda! They really are helpful!!!
Stay tuned for part II - how to keep your sanity as the vendors bombard your car!
Aaaah these are so frustrating!
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