Monday, April 23, 2012

Where Rivers Become Lakes

This weekend we went to Jinja for some relaxation away from the city.  Its the first time we have been since they activated the new dam, turning Bujagali Falls into Bujagali Lake.  While this picture doesn't really capture the movement and momentum the river had in the before photo, the horizon shows how high the water has come up - and the near swallowing of most of the islands.


I miss the sound of the rushing water at night and the excitement of seeing the rafters tackle the falls (or being defeated, getting thrown willy nilly - mostly smiling all along the way).  And that Bujagali swimmer with is jerry can floaty was a terrifying but thrilling site to see.  However, the exotic bird life is still there, and this trip we saw people doing all sorts of fun water sports on the smooth surface of the lake, having a wonderful time.  I also must admit that I love the increased power we have at home which is credited to the new dam (although I do not buy the BS the World Bank has said about economic growth and am sad to hear the new provisions of power will only be able to nearly meet demand for a single year).

One of Phil's oldest friends is visiting us all the way from Santiago, Chile. Jon and Phil have been friends since grade school in Whaley Bridge and have kept in touch all this time. In 2009, we had the opportunity to visit Jon in Chile and he was a wonderful host, showing us all the hot night spots and great places to eat. I'm pretty sure Jon does not feel that we are returning the favor by having signed him up for rafting the Nile - a day of death defying river running.  Bwahahahaha!  He only nearly drowned once and enjoyed the adventure but has stated that he will NOT be rafting again.



We have had many trips to Jinja. On our own, with friends, and with family. Each time creating new memories.  When we return to Jinja, we always recall our previous adventures there - the time we swam with a snake (not on purpose!), the time we camped in a tiny tin shack with Latasha, the time Noah showed how us to crawl like a soldier (or was he doing the worm?).  There are usually many shandies involved, monkey sightings and sometimes a trip to the Bujagali Chapati Company for a deluxe rolex (an omelet in an Indian inspired Ugandan tortilla).  And sometimes its just a place where your parents show you up, having absolutely no fear in facing grade 5 rapids while you have to practically wear diapers to get in the raft (its tough having hard core parents).

Boley and Constance at Bujaglai Falls in 2010
We've had some wonderful times along that river.  Its nice to return to places which hold such insignificant significance, if you know what I mean.  To go somewhere that retains beautiful moments of a life which flows by so quickly. A place where all your experiences there pool together, waiting for you to dive in and relive them.  Because in this world, it can seem like you're navigating some grade 5 rapids in fast forward, so its pretty sweet when you find a place where the river becomes a lake.

3 comments:

  1. Your blog looks so nice! I can't believe the Bujagali Falls have disappeared...

    Btw. I know everything about having hard core parents. Although mine didn't go rafting (and I don't think they would), I found the whale safari in a tiny boat scary enough =)

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  2. [My comments still don't want to get posted in Chrome - do you think it is my computer?]

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  3. Oh wow, it looks so different! And poor jerry can man, what will he do now? xx

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