Once again we’re up early to catch the Postbus back from Kampala to Mbarara. Fortunately this time we needed to be early, as the bus was due to leave earlier than we anticipated, not later. We’ll get the hang of it eventually. Also before we board we have to have our bags ‘inspected’ by the Postbus drug dog. Another hilarious attempt at security by Uganda; this is the worst behaved drug dog I have ever come across in my life. I’m not sure it’s even really been trained as it jumps all over our luggage, and up at us, whilst it carries out its ‘inspection’. I can’t be sure it even took a sniff. Hysterical. Thankfully Sacha and I ‘pass’, whatever that is supposed to mean, and we’re free to embark on the 6-hour journey home.

I think Sacha is really starting to get into life in Africa, she spends the whole of the bus ride waving at people through the window, children or adult she literally doesn’t care, no-one is spared her attention. It’s possible that I have simply turned into the most boring travel companion ever. Whilst usually on long car journeys I like to hook my IPod up to the main speakers and treat my fellow passengers to hours of my greatest hits, this is not an option readily available on the Postbus, so I’ve taken to cuddling up with my travel pillow instead. Nonetheless, Sacha has appeared to take to her celebrity status like a duck to water, referring to herself as ‘like the Pope’ no less. However, in her defence, people do seem to love her here; she smiles at everyone and no one is denied a conversations. Small children literally run up to her as we walk down the street so that they can give her a big hug. This is something that never happens to me! Actually that’s not true, twice children have approached me, but the first time they wanted money, and the second time they wanted sweets. I guess I need to work on my Pope-like charisma!

We make it to Mbarara in just over five hours, record timing, and we are almost overcome by how happy we are to be home. It may be small, lacking luxuries, and in the middle of nowhere, but it is still home. Also the people here are so much friendlier than the people in Kampala! And they remember us! All the local post workers, who laughed at us just a few days ago, greet us warmly and help us with our bags as we jump down from the bus. We’re practically locals.