Daily Life in Oditel

Let me start by saying WE LOVE AFRICA. I can imagine that this is how the wild west was back in the day. Just good people trying to get by in a wild place.

After breakfast and chores this morning Luke and I headed out on the Bodaboda for Amuria to get some supplies. We made the 20k ride in search of Jam and Eggs.

Holy Cow...Luke was driving and my angels were working overtime today I tell ya. First off let me tell you about the road. Imagine a one lane dirt road full of potholes, now imagine it much worse than that. Now people and bikes all alone the road that must be dodged along with mud, ruts and rocks that present as formidable opponents for a bodaboda. Now imagine Luke driving like he is on his mountain bike out for an advanced ride. With every bump and pothole he successfully dodged his confidence grew and he became more daring. Soon we were clipping along at a blistering 30 kph with the sun shining on our backs and people smiling and waving everywhere. Luke was eating it up like a child who just was free of his training wheels. We bottomed out several times but made it safely into Amuria without much incident. We were able to buy eggs (1.25 / dozen) but no Jam. We topped the tank off with Petrol and splurged for a moderately cold Cocacola then got back on the bike to head home. Me (the most trusting brother in the world) deferred my right to pilot on the way home being that we were now under load (supplies in backpack), Luke being heavier and I and already having rear end clearance issues and his experienced gained on the drive to town. I thought this was a fair and prudent decision and Luke jumped at the opportunity for more driving. We made it out of town and all was going well except for the pain we were both experiencing on our hindsides from the bumpy road. AND THEN...another Solo (alone you can go faster) bodaboda driver passed us. I could almost feel Luke's body shutter and grimace at the audacity someone had to pass him. For those of you who know Luke you know that NOONE passes Luke. Apparently they didn't get the memo in Uganda and it was up to him to make sure this person knew. Luke's competitive drive kicked in, the throttle twisted, the engine roared and the challenge taken. Despite my comments, the race was on and we were in second place, Luke does NOT finish second. Before long we matched his speed (screaming along at 60kph) and were in hot pursuit. Unfortunately, this phantom driver had an advantage over us, he know the road well and was driving as such even though he was oblivious to that fact he was in a race. Out of "nowhere", 50 meters ahead and closing fast, a pothole of volcanic proportions appeared. Luke kept on the gas and I know for a minute that he was contemplating the jump, maybe it was me yelling, the thought of our dozen precious eggs breaking but suddenly he realized we were bested. He yelled "hold on tight" as he downshifted and slammed on the brakes. The engine screamed, the tires broke loose and skidded on the hard clay, the sun baked down on us and I'm pretty sure the vultures started circling. The bike slowed and in seconds we were in the crater, and then out again before you could blink and I was airborn with only my white nuckles gripping the seat. After I landed Luke yelled over his shoulder "that was a big one" a huge grin spreading from ear to ear. I replied "a little competitive are we?" and we continued motoring home.

We made it safely home and only one of the eggs were lost.

We had a very productive afternoon and were able to make some great progress on the micro-loan front and things are going so well.

I will post again later this evening with more stories.

Peace and Love,

Adam

P.S. Luke did a great job driving and at no point were we in any serious danger.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry