The "Old Me" tends to return whenever my comfort zone is tested. Honestly I am much improved as far as being an OCD control freak is concerned, but my need for control mounts as we speed along the road. As each kilometer takes me farther and farther away from what I know in Kishanje I find myself being short tempered with Dylan and Rebekah. They aren't doing anything wrong. I have to apologize and catch myself.
The reason for the northward trip is twofold: missing Dylan's high school graduation was a big deal to me, so I told him if he came to Ug we would take him on a safari. Secondly, northern UG has been on my heart for many years.
In the 1980's the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) began a civil war in northern UG. The history is complex and violent. A tentative peace reached only recently is expected to crumble come January.
The continent of Africa, composed of over 50 unique countries is strongly interconnected. In January the deadline for southern independence in the Sudan is expected to result in war. Kony, the LRA leader is currently believed to be chillin in the Sudan. UN aid workers and locals expect he will be denied further safe harbor and will again return to the northern regions of Ug.
Post safari / park experience (which was incredible) we catch an early bus: destination Gulu. If you are not familiar with the history of Gulu, Arua, and the LRA's impact on northern ug check out Invisible Children online.
I am not a born adventurer, so the idea of travelling to a new place to look around and meet locals in hopes of getting a well rounded feel for the area is foreign to me. Rebekah is a pro though, adventuring is in her blood. Dylan is a trooper, following his sisters around Ug, carrying heavy bags and scaring the sketch-balls away. Small children are also afraid of him, but the talking/walking size kids show no fear. He falls asleep on the back seat of the bus and wakes to find five little girls surrounding him; the bravest slowly lifting his hat off his eyes. Bekah and I get a good laugh as the gentle giant entertains all the kids on the bus with funny faces. He's a good kid.
We shall see what this trip brings...
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