Chapter 4- The Rain

One thing that is quickly apparent in Kampala is that nothing moves when it rains! The rains here come hard and sudden and usually don’t last more then an hour or so, but it’s a tropical downpour. Soon rivers of red muddy water are gushing through roads, through people’s homes, street venders and food stalls and washing away rubbish and anything in its path.

Boda Bodas rarely if ever go out when it rains, and although you will see cars still trying to venture out eventually car drivers, private hire cars and taxis (Kampala taxi is really a minibus, very cheap but very packed!) will all be grounded as well. Mark had a meeting in town yesterday but due to the rain we couldn’t leave the house. Our Boda Boda driver we had ordered didn’t show, and we knew we wouldn’t be able to move for at least a few hours. Internet data went down, not an uncommon occurrence, and Mark had to contact the person he is doing some work for. Luckily texts were still working, once he explained that he would be late due to the rain the reply came quick, ‘Don’t worry I assumed as much, nothing moves when it rains here!’.

Caz had learned from her previous visit when setting meetings that when they rain came there would be no movement and no expectations from anyone to move! She was quick to throw off her shoes and get comfortable, safe in the knowledge that all we can do is wait it out.

Mark had to reschedule his meeting, but it was fascinating to him that just saying the rain was enough of an excuse/reason and it was shrugged off. The weather dictates the traffic, no one can move when traffic doesn’t move, that is just a fact of life here.

Mark wasn’t too upset by the delay as it meant we could relax for a while had an impromptu portrait session under the shade of the house roof, there was just enough descent soft light for portraits photography!

We planned to go out for the evening to visit some of Cazs relatives and luckily the rain stopped and didn’t derail that plan. As soon as the rain stopped, it was business as usual, with even our Boda driver picking us up like he wasn’t 2 hours late to collect us.

Caz has an extended family with lots of cousins and Aunties and they have all been very excited to see us and extremely welcoming. Mark is loving local food so isn’t upset about another chance to taste local cuisine and be a good guest by eating everything on his plate!

Cazs’ cousin was a budding photographer and was excited to see his camera and to do an impromptu photo shoot after dinner, especially the children! So, we spent at least an hour

taking lots of family group shots and the kids were loving running around photo bombing every photo they could! After a great evening by all we were dropped off by Cazs cousin who shared a cautionary tale of people getting ambushed at their security gate. Luckily, we arrived home tired, happy and safe.