#61 UGANDA

Uganda was another country that we ended up in by accident. Initially, a group of us from Kabul planned to go to Yemen, but just a day or two before we were meant to fly into Sana'a, the Houthis took control of the city, and FlyDubai canceled our flights. So, with a $700 flight credit in hand, three of us (Zoran, me, and our friend Marie) randomly chose Uganda because we didn't need visas, the flight connection was decent, and it seemed like a fun adventure destination.

A fun adventure destination? Talk about an understatement! Even years later, white water rafting down the Nile River in Jinja is still the most extreme water sport I've ever experienced, and looking back at the photos from that day sends chills down my spine. These were the biggest rapids I've ever seen, and we capsized so many times. At some point, there was so much white water that it felt like we were in a blender, getting tossed every which way and just moments from getting sucked under or smashed against a boulder. That we all survived remains a miracle to this day!

And then came the bungee jump. I'd like to say I was coerced or pressured into this activity, but it was all me. Zoran and Marie didn't even consider jumping, not even for a second, but I was determined as hell, and before I knew it, I was standing on a platform hanging over a cliff, staring down at the Nile River. The guys running the show wrapped my ankles in a small towel and tied me to the bungee cord with makeshift knots. This should've been a red flag, but I was too terrified to think logically. My heart was racing, and when I got to the ledge, my mind refused to let me jump. At that moment, I wasn't ready to die, so I backed down and let some other Japanese tourists go ahead of me. Before jumping, we were all asked if we wanted to "touch the water," and I emphatically said NO! If I was going to brave death by bungee, the last thing I needed was dysentery or bilharzia. Finally, when everyone else had jumped, and I was the last person left, I walked up to the ledge again but still couldn't take the leap. Standing there frozen with fear, I felt a light push from behind and screamed my lungs out as I plunged waist-deep into the Nile. And screamed some more as I recoiled up into mid-air, soaking wet with water gushing out of my mouth and nose. For sure, the guys up above were having a good laugh at my expense, but I don't know if I could've jumped without that gentle nudge to push me over the edge. It was an undeniably exhilarating experience that I'm glad I did, but I am also in no rush to repeat ;)

After all this, what new surprises could Uganda throw our way? How about some of the best Chinese food we've ever found outside China? Yes, this was Fang Fang Sichuan restaurant in downtown Kampala. The decor was unassuming, and our expectations sank as we sat down and were presented with knives, forks, and a menu in English. Thankfully, a quick chat with the chefs in Chinese set everything straight, and before we knew it, we were soothing our aching bodies with the numbness of Sichuan peppercorn and the spiciness of red chiles! If you don't believe me, scroll down to see the photos, but I assure you that the spicy chicken and boiled fish were some of the best I've ever eaten. If I ever go back to Uganda, I'll be sure to go back to Fang Fang, which is more than I can say about going white water rafting or bungee jumping again!