The next day we prepared to leave for Soroti, which involved a trip to a Westernized shopping plaza where we exchanged some US money into Ugandan shillings, bought a 60,000 UGS phone (about $30) and grabbed a few waters in the oddly home-like grocery market. While we were supposed to be on the road by 12 noon, we actually didn't leave until 3:30 PM (everything runs a little late in Uganda).
But finally we were on the paved road from Kampala to Soroti. I made friends with our driver, Charles, while I sat in the front seat and he maneuvered potholes expertly. The drive was over 4 to 5 hours. We saw storefronts painted with the advertising for different cell phone networks, in bright blues, pinks, and yellows. At roadside stands, workers would rush our van handing fresh fruit and vegetables or meat on a stick through the windows for sale. Everyone fell asleep at one point or another, Jen's head bobbing in place, and Lacey sprawled across a seat with her head cuddled between her backpack and the seat. We crossed the Nile, its source being only a few km away.
We arrived at our guest house, Golden Arch, rather late in the evening (around 8). We settled into our beautiful rooms, outfitted with mosquito nets, fans, and our personal bathrooms with water heaters. Jerry cans sat in the corner for holding water when the plumbing goes out. Again, a huge meal ensued complete with the traditional posha and beans, chipotai, greens, fruit salad with jackfruit, and passionfruit juice followed by African coffee and tea.
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