Street Sellers and Nightswimming

January 27^th: Wednesday

Jim was feeling really sick so Wednesday after breakfast he left to go crash at the Shelburne’s house in Mbale. That morning a bunch of us went to a cloth textile factory. The company made all their own thread, which they dyed and then spun on these huge wooden looms. It was really cool. The whole operation took place in this old brick building which didn’t have glass in the windows or finishings. With the cloth they made all kinds of stuff including rugs, blankets, some kid’s cloths, bags etc…The looms where the coolest part of the whole place. They were huge and hand operated. Pre-industrial revolution.

After that we all headed into town to check out the scene. Jimja’s main street consists of several restaurants. Some local shops and about 50 little tourist shops all selling the exact same things. I split and headed down town to try to find a book seller where I could get some books. I passed several street sellers but they only had text books. Finally I hit the jackpot. A Sherlock Holmes book and a sci-fi short collective of short stories. The man who sold them to me had an incredibly high voice. It was like bargaining with Mickey Mouse.

Jenny, Laurie (an MA, teacher for the Proctars) Rachel, and I decided to stay in town for lunch. We went to Aussies’ which is this cool little shop run by this old Australian lady. I had a mushy burger which was pretty good although the food did take forever. After we ate we wondered around town a little bit. To get back to the Kingfisher we hired a couple of Boda-Bodas (pickeys).

David O’Leary has been teaching through the book of Job during the retreat. Once in the morning and again in he afternoon. He is a really insightful, interesting, and passionate speaker. I really enjoyed his teaching.

That night I went out to eat with the Wrights and the other singles. Bob had arrived that day with the Wright’s cousin Justin and we all went to the Gately which is this really nice restaurant on the Nile. We sat out back on the veranda where we ordered drinks and sat in their incredibly comfy furniture and talked until the food was served just after dark. I had a steak on top of pumpkin mash potatoes topped with a blue cheese sauce and served with sweet potato chips. Best meal I have had since Khana Kazana. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Then we all had ice-cream for dessert. wow.

After we got back that night I had a cigar with Craig and Phil. The kids all like to swim at night so they jumped in and after I finished my cancer stick I joined them. The night was cloudless and a nearly full moon looked down on us. I kept thinking of that song Nightswimming by R.E.M. Post swim I donned my new trousers and stayed up late talking to people.