Monday, September 27, 2010
Back for ...
Arrived home unscathed by any debacle. The trip was quite smooth. I spent a few days at home and am now off to AA-land ... see Annabelle and Avery (and oh ya, Mom and Dad too) in Calgary. I will be back Saturday October 1, a mere 11 days from my anniversary. As I learned in Kampala and then Lisbon ... wabele and obrigado.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Home, home again ...
It's been a pretty crazy few days. The work I was doing took a major turn for the better then everything blew up. Oracle makes this RAC offering so difficult. It is such a journey installing it then one gets the pleasure of it keeping you up at night. We were oh so close then had to reinstall twice. The second time did not go well and that was all we could all take. I spoke to contacts in Ottawa and we decided to pull the plug (for now). After a chat with Ottawa this morning, guess where I am? None other than EBB! I am off to Brussels at 10:50 then from there to Newark and will be home tomorrow afternoon about 5PM.
Joseph picked me up at 7:45 and we wound our way through busy busy streets on the way out of Kampala. He had enough and did a 180 and then we headed down some very rural roads with gutters as deep and frequent as egg cartons. There were throngs of people and people to avoid and the quaintest little shops selling everything. It was quite fascinating seeing rural Uganda. I always wonder where everyone could possibly be going and at such a late time. I got to the airport and after clearing security was told they could only check my bags to Brussels. I protested politely (the key) and they somehow found me tags that said EWR ... YOW! Joy oh joy. Debacle avoided. Someone recently suggested I attract travel debacles.
I have a 4'ish hour layover in Brussels then Continental the rest of the way. Yippee! More air miles. I hope my travels for work never do that to me again .... all work and next to no free time. My BLOG posts have been boring as I really did close to nada but work. I will touch down in Ottawa and hope to head out to see Avery and the gang in Calgary. That will cost me 50,000 miles instead of the normal 25,000. Oh well, that's what they are for. Annabelle loves her little bro and Avi is apparently settling into a routine which is best for all.
So how was Uganda ... that is a very good question. Javas where I ate most was great as were a handful of other establishments I saw. Why would muzungu only mention eating hangouts? That's about all I saw. I was late at work may days, did two all nighters, and saw more of my cohort Ivan than anyone else. Outside of Ivan and Arben who was staying at the same apartment, I really had close to no interaction with anyone or thing save my bed. I went for one long walk just last Saturday and outside the droppings of pixie dust on Nakasero Hill road I did not have a clue where anything was in Kampala.
There was more cricket on TV than one would care to watch; it was never-ending night and day. The cable network we had was a feed from India full of shows in more languages I could not understand. I have never seen so many loud people before on the telly.
The people in general ... that's hard to say. They thought muzungu was hilarious and took great joy in my nonsense. The women take very good care of themselves and 1 out of 5 men is well dressed. The women do their hair like I saw in Addis and the kids are adorable. Since the July bombs at two football clubs security has been tight. That's what they would like one to think. The Soliz building where one of my offices was close to was wide open one day when it rained with security personnel in the basement for shelter and the gates unattended. One day at the Oasis mall the guards were too busy to check everyone and people sauntered past them ignoring their verbal requests to stop.
The weather ... can't complain. It did not go above 27 degrees and hovered most of the time closer to 22. There was one day of rain for a few hours otherwise dry all the time. Just like Ethiopia the sun was up at 6:30 and down by 7:00. The traffic ... oh vay! The standard rush hour times were awful and people's driving was rude. Most were completely oblivious to the fact that there were actually other vehicles on the road. The cars were not as old as I saw in Ethiopia and there were the high-end Toyota Pradas everywhere driven by rude Ugandans (behind the wheel that is). I learned and used only one word in Luganda ... "wabele" that means thank-you.
The coffee was great. I was caught off guard the first time I was asked "white?" after ordering. I asked for peanuts at a store and were told they did not have any. I found some and later was told they are called "roasted nuts" which all the stores carry. I saw the locals put lots of salt on their food and one guy in particular must have shaken his food while I counted to 10.
I only had local food once at Ekitoobero. I was told muzungu did not like local fare. It did not disappoint ... must have been why I only did it once. My favourite sign was on a hut selling phone cards ... "No urination ... 50,0000 fine". I once had to so badly I was thinking it might just be worth it.
Yet another Brussels Airlines trip with no seatback video ... I asked one of the attendants on my first voyage with this carrier when they were going to be outfitted and was told "within the next 5 years is the plan". 2,431 shillings to the dollar and 18% VAT. I wonder if the feds in Uganda like to incarcerate their VAT-avoiding business owners like some other African countries which will remain nameless. Spoke with the new mother in Calgary today and wished her a happy birthday for me and the ST. Had I known I was going to be away 4 rather than 2 weeks I may have taken my Fender Squire.
My stopover in Bruxelles was uneventful. I had a sandwich and hung out. Close to the start of the second leg and all is well. It is such a pleasure to see screens in the back of the seats which I have not seen since Montreal to Bruxelles a way back on August 25. The lady minding the back of the plane apologized for their not being touch screen. I told her I would take it up with the CEO. I will be back on North American terra firma in 6 hours or so. I got email from a very famous friend in Ottawa ... Paddy Mallia!!!! He has email ... I cannot give it out sorry, without his permission. Now I am waiting for Annabelle and Avery to get them.
The future in Ottawa is a bit up in the air with a few choices. The people in Vietnam want me back in November and I may have to bargain with them as they seem to want me for 4 rather than the agreed upon 2 weeks. Depending on what goes on with the people that sent me to Uganda, maybe a stop in Mongolia would happen. I wonder if they have a chain of eateries there called "Canadian BBQ". My Sens are doing a back-to-back series with les Habs tonight and tomorrow. The regular season/debacle (choose one) begins in early October.
My Sweet Thing is off to Dubrovnik for the weekend then back to Budapest at the end of the week. Her following stops after that are Prague and Amsterdam. Dubrovnik ... wow! I wonder if they have any cured meat there? I am hoping there is still some 2-wheeled Honda time when I get home. I seem to remember that mode of transportation working into October most years.
It's been a long time since I flew Continental. There was once a time when only Continental would team up with lowly Air Canada as a partner carrier. This was in the 1990's when I did a lot of traveling for the IOUG mainly to NYC and Redwood Shores through Newark. They do not have a state of the art entertainment system. It isn't video-on-demand but it is better than what Brussels or Ethiopian had to keep me occupied.
I brought some goodies back for my ST as well as the double-A's in Calgary .... none other than Annabelle and Avery. A&A for B&Z. I am watching what I think is a girlie movie. I always seem to like this genre. It was called "Letters from Juliet" and the co-female lead was Vanessa Redgrave. No wonder she looked so familiar. Like so many flicks from Hollywood, the ending was weak and so predictable.
I found out that I had to clear US customs even though I was in transit. I did not take a card when they were handed out so fixed that. There was no Nexus so I asked an officer where it was and he said this was airport passport control not DHS. I did not know the difference. The signage once I got out of the passport area was poor, actually really really poor. I finally spoke to a Continental person who was helpful and agreed that not only was the signage bad but it was an embarrassment. I found my way to security gate C1 and it was so hurried I thought I'd lost my watch. I remember stuffing it in my bag before passing through security but it was nowhere. Upon my third tear apart of my carry on I found it. That was close ... so no debacle yet ... who would'a thunk !! The day's not over.
Joseph picked me up at 7:45 and we wound our way through busy busy streets on the way out of Kampala. He had enough and did a 180 and then we headed down some very rural roads with gutters as deep and frequent as egg cartons. There were throngs of people and people to avoid and the quaintest little shops selling everything. It was quite fascinating seeing rural Uganda. I always wonder where everyone could possibly be going and at such a late time. I got to the airport and after clearing security was told they could only check my bags to Brussels. I protested politely (the key) and they somehow found me tags that said EWR ... YOW! Joy oh joy. Debacle avoided. Someone recently suggested I attract travel debacles.
I have a 4'ish hour layover in Brussels then Continental the rest of the way. Yippee! More air miles. I hope my travels for work never do that to me again .... all work and next to no free time. My BLOG posts have been boring as I really did close to nada but work. I will touch down in Ottawa and hope to head out to see Avery and the gang in Calgary. That will cost me 50,000 miles instead of the normal 25,000. Oh well, that's what they are for. Annabelle loves her little bro and Avi is apparently settling into a routine which is best for all.
So how was Uganda ... that is a very good question. Javas where I ate most was great as were a handful of other establishments I saw. Why would muzungu only mention eating hangouts? That's about all I saw. I was late at work may days, did two all nighters, and saw more of my cohort Ivan than anyone else. Outside of Ivan and Arben who was staying at the same apartment, I really had close to no interaction with anyone or thing save my bed. I went for one long walk just last Saturday and outside the droppings of pixie dust on Nakasero Hill road I did not have a clue where anything was in Kampala.
There was more cricket on TV than one would care to watch; it was never-ending night and day. The cable network we had was a feed from India full of shows in more languages I could not understand. I have never seen so many loud people before on the telly.
The people in general ... that's hard to say. They thought muzungu was hilarious and took great joy in my nonsense. The women take very good care of themselves and 1 out of 5 men is well dressed. The women do their hair like I saw in Addis and the kids are adorable. Since the July bombs at two football clubs security has been tight. That's what they would like one to think. The Soliz building where one of my offices was close to was wide open one day when it rained with security personnel in the basement for shelter and the gates unattended. One day at the Oasis mall the guards were too busy to check everyone and people sauntered past them ignoring their verbal requests to stop.
The weather ... can't complain. It did not go above 27 degrees and hovered most of the time closer to 22. There was one day of rain for a few hours otherwise dry all the time. Just like Ethiopia the sun was up at 6:30 and down by 7:00. The traffic ... oh vay! The standard rush hour times were awful and people's driving was rude. Most were completely oblivious to the fact that there were actually other vehicles on the road. The cars were not as old as I saw in Ethiopia and there were the high-end Toyota Pradas everywhere driven by rude Ugandans (behind the wheel that is). I learned and used only one word in Luganda ... "wabele" that means thank-you.
The coffee was great. I was caught off guard the first time I was asked "white?" after ordering. I asked for peanuts at a store and were told they did not have any. I found some and later was told they are called "roasted nuts" which all the stores carry. I saw the locals put lots of salt on their food and one guy in particular must have shaken his food while I counted to 10.
I only had local food once at Ekitoobero. I was told muzungu did not like local fare. It did not disappoint ... must have been why I only did it once. My favourite sign was on a hut selling phone cards ... "No urination ... 50,0000 fine". I once had to so badly I was thinking it might just be worth it.
Yet another Brussels Airlines trip with no seatback video ... I asked one of the attendants on my first voyage with this carrier when they were going to be outfitted and was told "within the next 5 years is the plan". 2,431 shillings to the dollar and 18% VAT. I wonder if the feds in Uganda like to incarcerate their VAT-avoiding business owners like some other African countries which will remain nameless. Spoke with the new mother in Calgary today and wished her a happy birthday for me and the ST. Had I known I was going to be away 4 rather than 2 weeks I may have taken my Fender Squire.
My stopover in Bruxelles was uneventful. I had a sandwich and hung out. Close to the start of the second leg and all is well. It is such a pleasure to see screens in the back of the seats which I have not seen since Montreal to Bruxelles a way back on August 25. The lady minding the back of the plane apologized for their not being touch screen. I told her I would take it up with the CEO. I will be back on North American terra firma in 6 hours or so. I got email from a very famous friend in Ottawa ... Paddy Mallia!!!! He has email ... I cannot give it out sorry, without his permission. Now I am waiting for Annabelle and Avery to get them.
The future in Ottawa is a bit up in the air with a few choices. The people in Vietnam want me back in November and I may have to bargain with them as they seem to want me for 4 rather than the agreed upon 2 weeks. Depending on what goes on with the people that sent me to Uganda, maybe a stop in Mongolia would happen. I wonder if they have a chain of eateries there called "Canadian BBQ". My Sens are doing a back-to-back series with les Habs tonight and tomorrow. The regular season/debacle (choose one) begins in early October.
My Sweet Thing is off to Dubrovnik for the weekend then back to Budapest at the end of the week. Her following stops after that are Prague and Amsterdam. Dubrovnik ... wow! I wonder if they have any cured meat there? I am hoping there is still some 2-wheeled Honda time when I get home. I seem to remember that mode of transportation working into October most years.
It's been a long time since I flew Continental. There was once a time when only Continental would team up with lowly Air Canada as a partner carrier. This was in the 1990's when I did a lot of traveling for the IOUG mainly to NYC and Redwood Shores through Newark. They do not have a state of the art entertainment system. It isn't video-on-demand but it is better than what Brussels or Ethiopian had to keep me occupied.
I brought some goodies back for my ST as well as the double-A's in Calgary .... none other than Annabelle and Avery. A&A for B&Z. I am watching what I think is a girlie movie. I always seem to like this genre. It was called "Letters from Juliet" and the co-female lead was Vanessa Redgrave. No wonder she looked so familiar. Like so many flicks from Hollywood, the ending was weak and so predictable.
I found out that I had to clear US customs even though I was in transit. I did not take a card when they were handed out so fixed that. There was no Nexus so I asked an officer where it was and he said this was airport passport control not DHS. I did not know the difference. The signage once I got out of the passport area was poor, actually really really poor. I finally spoke to a Continental person who was helpful and agreed that not only was the signage bad but it was an embarrassment. I found my way to security gate C1 and it was so hurried I thought I'd lost my watch. I remember stuffing it in my bag before passing through security but it was nowhere. Upon my third tear apart of my carry on I found it. That was close ... so no debacle yet ... who would'a thunk !! The day's not over.
Friday, September 24, 2010
No debacle
Maybe I spoke too soon but I am camped out in concourse B in Brussels and no problems yet with flights or baggage. I have a much longer post stuck on my iPad which discusses Uganda and my last few days there. I sure am glad I purchased 2 plug converters and now that I have them I do not know how I ever did without one.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Africa-unfriendly
It seems that every time I access my Paypal account from Africa, my account becomes limited. This happened to me as well once in Ethiopia and once in Vietnam. It is such a nuisance but I know why it is done. One of the things that has to be done this time, is I need to be at my home number to receive a call from Paypal to confirm my location. How can I do that when in Africa? There is an opportunity to enter an alternative number to be called at, but that screen is not 3-digit country code friendly.
We were up until 3AM working and the O'RacIavellian road continues, a deliberate Waby'ish take-off on Machiavelli(an), one of the main founders of the political science discipline. "O'RacIavellian" is one of the main founders of red tape and bureaucracy.
We were up until 3AM working and the O'RacIavellian road continues, a deliberate Waby'ish take-off on Machiavelli(an), one of the main founders of the political science discipline. "O'RacIavellian" is one of the main founders of red tape and bureaucracy.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Taking stuff for granted
It's interesting how we do just that. I purchased a cup full of peanuts to munch on at the Just Kickin' bar. When one buys such nourishment at home, the peanuts are always roasted. I figured out without even opening the first shell; the morsels felt soft, just like I imagined peanuts would feel if unroasted. Unroasted peanuts ... not the same ... not even close. I had some ribs for an early dinner which were nice too.
Yesterday I got my first beer, then ordered a mixed BBQ as I mentioned I think yesterday. It took forever to come. Then I remembered I had relocated and, they were able to find me to service more alcohol, but my food order did not follow me. When I asked about 90 minutes later where the food was, it appeared almost at once. They must have had it stashed at the bar until someone ordered mixed BBQ :).
The bar was packed for ManU who managed to score with a few minutes left to propel them to a 3-2 victory. Berbatov got a hat trick and poor old (not that poor really) Rooney was held scoreless. I then watched Chelsea trounce Blackpool who did score once but it was off-side. At the office now hopefully not for long ...
Yesterday I got my first beer, then ordered a mixed BBQ as I mentioned I think yesterday. It took forever to come. Then I remembered I had relocated and, they were able to find me to service more alcohol, but my food order did not follow me. When I asked about 90 minutes later where the food was, it appeared almost at once. They must have had it stashed at the bar until someone ordered mixed BBQ :).
The bar was packed for ManU who managed to score with a few minutes left to propel them to a 3-2 victory. Berbatov got a hat trick and poor old (not that poor really) Rooney was held scoreless. I then watched Chelsea trounce Blackpool who did score once but it was off-side. At the office now hopefully not for long ...
Another Sunday another football
You tell me ... I get on a two-wheeled taxi at the foot of Nakasero Hill road and bargain with the driver for 3,500 to get to Just Kickin'. As we start to head out I start to get the feeling he may not know where he is going. My suspicion is confirmed when we stop and he asks another driver for assistance then off we go again. It still looks a little shaky once we stop and this time ask a conglomeration of locals. Still no confidence. Then a guy tells the driver where it is (Kisimente), which I will remember for next time.
We get there and I gladly give the driver 4,000 instead of the negotiated tariff and he wants more. He wants 5,000 and I tell him he already got more that he asked for. It's not my problem if he got lost and my extra 500 shillings in standard Ugandan culture is a nice bonus. As I write this post I feel badly; I know how little money these people make especially compared to muzungu. They have motocross on the big screen and I hope the football will come on at 3:30. I am interested to see if it's a struggle getting ManU on at the bottom of the hour .... playing another big market team at that ... Liverpool.
We get there and I gladly give the driver 4,000 instead of the negotiated tariff and he wants more. He wants 5,000 and I tell him he already got more that he asked for. It's not my problem if he got lost and my extra 500 shillings in standard Ugandan culture is a nice bonus. As I write this post I feel badly; I know how little money these people make especially compared to muzungu. They have motocross on the big screen and I hope the football will come on at 3:30. I am interested to see if it's a struggle getting ManU on at the bottom of the hour .... playing another big market team at that ... Liverpool.
Sunday morning
I was up a little later than usual. It seemed cool outside which was just fine with me. I showered, dressed, did a little email, then headed out for a walk and hopefully to find some grub. I walked out the back of the complex and down some familiar territory I see all the time on the way to work. I hung a right and saw a busier street in the distance so headed that way. I hung a left on that street and approached a large intersection.
There is definitely a hue of dust around the city, amplified by the never-ending street sweeping. The sides of the roads are this light crimson sand that reminds me of brick dust. I saw a few embassies and as many MTN cell phone card outlets one would care to see. There are so many of them everywhere here.
My intuition told me to take the left fork which I did then I saw the City Oil outlet meaning I was on the right track. I had breakfast at Javas and walked a bit thereafter then hopped a cycle-cab back to the compound for 3 shillings. When in Kampala, do as the Kampalians do.
The city wakes up very early and the street cleaners are already out in force even on Sunday. The natives are busily scurrying everywhere so quickly. When I left Javas with plans to find a cab, no luck. The Hiace 14-passenger vehicles are plentiful but I do not know anything about them. I now tell the driver to take me to Nakasero road just above the Fang Fang hotel. That is known to all. I forgot my camera at work so could not trap any sights on my first long walk into the city.
There is definitely a hue of dust around the city, amplified by the never-ending street sweeping. The sides of the roads are this light crimson sand that reminds me of brick dust. I saw a few embassies and as many MTN cell phone card outlets one would care to see. There are so many of them everywhere here.
My intuition told me to take the left fork which I did then I saw the City Oil outlet meaning I was on the right track. I had breakfast at Javas and walked a bit thereafter then hopped a cycle-cab back to the compound for 3 shillings. When in Kampala, do as the Kampalians do.
The city wakes up very early and the street cleaners are already out in force even on Sunday. The natives are busily scurrying everywhere so quickly. When I left Javas with plans to find a cab, no luck. The Hiace 14-passenger vehicles are plentiful but I do not know anything about them. I now tell the driver to take me to Nakasero road just above the Fang Fang hotel. That is known to all. I forgot my camera at work so could not trap any sights on my first long walk into the city.
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