Departure from the US

* Sorry this is so late being put up. Life has taken over and I was not able to post while away! *

     As we drove in a nice big black Suburban our suitcases were piled high and in every nook and cranny possible we could find. We had a wonderful drive to Chicago International Airport with the appropriate stop at good ole Cracker Barrel. It was going to be our last good home cookin meal, so we ate up!!
      We arrived at the airport and to our shock the British Airways lines were completely bare. We went right up to the counter, checked in, got our luggage squared away and prayed that it would meet us in Entebbe in 2 days. We made it through security without any extra hassle and oddly enough had time to kill. Our first flight to London went very smoothly with a wonderful take off and landing, I would rate it a 5 out of 5. The plane was mostly okay except for some rude passengers who would not give us space in the overhead containers. Thankfully, we found some and stowed away our things. I proceeded to sleep, eat, and watch some wonderful movies I have been wanting to see. It’s amazing that it took me to be on an airplane for 7-8 hours to do so.
       As we arrived in London, I began my accent which sounded more like an Aussie so I thought I better quit before I make anyone else crazy. We had our carryons held on to as we began our 12 hour layover, and had time to enjoy the city. We got our Underground day tickets, like the El in Chicago it is London’s subway system. You can just imagine how much I loved it!! You know how much I love riding the El, and I mean that sincerely, but this was about 10 times better. There were so many characters that got on and off the train, or tube as they call it in London. We had the European travelers that kept making fun of the last stop, Cocksford, and how they were going to get “off” there. We had the very stylish 20something Londoner off to shop and see friends. The Aussie drinking a beer in the middle of the day, and then us the Libraries of Love bright red t-shirt Americans taking it all in. We got off at Pickadilly Circus, and boy I just wanted to move there. Imagine being on the strip/downtown Chicago/ touristy places with everything you could think off. You had the carts and storefronts with men selling London tourist magnets/t-shirts/postcards/etc... all the way to McDonald’s and The M&M store. It was crazy!!! We had lunch at McDonald’s bc what else do you eat in probably the most expensive city in the world, and now I can say that I have eaten NUGS or chicken nuggets all the way to London, England. ( As far as they go, a little bit better in London-although they did not want to give us sauce or ketchup and I couldn’t find any out. The fries were not as salty, so if you know me, I would not give them 5 stars. Also, amazingly enough there were no regular sodas all diet.) After that meal, we decided it was best to do a red bus tour of the city to see it all in 2 hours, before we needed to get back to the airport.
    The red bus tour was amazing! If you are ever in London, please take the time to do this. We drove around the city for 2 hours with a great guide. He was very humourous and witty, as those English tend to be. He knew a lot about the city and had some great jokes to go along with it! I have seen the London Bridge, which I hate to tell you is not the one we sing about in America. The one we sing about is a tiny no nothing thing, kinda sad and mad that we have been lied to since childhood...Thanks Mom and Dad! JK!!! The queen was unfortunately not in when we went by her doorstep, but I think I was more excited to see where all of the Royal Wedding took place, and the rows of the PREMIUM shopping district there! After another trip back on the tube, Oh I sound so British these days, it was back to the airport for another round of 8 hours of flying. I have to tell you by now that I was exhausted, had only gotten a few hours of sleep, and was getting very slap happy.
    As we entered the terminal to board our plane to Entebbe, Uganda I was welcomed by a most unsuspected sighting. We walked up and there sitting in one of the chairs waiting for the plane was a very scruffy looking African American man that looked so familiar I almost said hello. Then I look next to him and the White woman he was with looked familiar as well. He stood up and went to the bathroom, and had to walk past me. As he did, he was towering above me, now I know most of you tower above me but I mean REALLY up there like touching the clouds!! I was trying to be nosy and look at their luggage tags but I couldn’t see a name. As I was staring, okay at this point GAWKING, I realized that the man was Rick Fox. ( Google him if you don’t know him) Then, I kept looking back at the woman. She had nice sweats on, but the amazing jewlery gave her away that she was probably a celebrity as well. So I see an E on her luggage tag, kept staring and honestly was not more than 2 arms lengths away, then I realized that she was so so so so thin I finally realized who she was. ELIZA DUSHKU. I knew her from TV shows and what not but finally when I saw her with more meat on her bones, I realized that YES celebrities think they have to be thin and WAY to thin if you ask me, but it was her.
    Regardless, we got on the plane and I had my celebrity sighting at the London-Heathrow Airport. I again watched movies, ate, and DEFINETLY slept more like way more and then arrived in Entebbe.
    As we arrived in Entebbe, I immediately could not believe that I was actually in Africa and none the less in Uganda. We recieved all of our luggage, and I was so excited that we had everything with us from the start. We were picked up by Trudy, the woman who began Libraries of Love, and our driver Martin. We were again piled into a big van/bus but the funny thing was, they drive on the opposite side of the road and in the car. I felt a little silly for not knowing that, or realizing that would be happening. The strange thing about these van busses is that they hardly have any trunks so again we manuvered around the luggage and found our way into Kampala.
    The words that I would describe this beautiful place in will not do it justice so you know, but I will try to paint a picture for you the best I can. As we entered Entebbe I saw neighborhoods with lots of people young and old alike. They had shops or small storefronts that remind me of tin shacks and houses that only had fabric hanging for the doors. Most people were outside as some or most do not have electricity inside. They seem to be very dark inside except for the daylight. Since we are so close to the equator the sun rises at 7 A.M. and sets at 7 P.M. each day. The roads are a reddish looking hard mud and have been used many times. There are lots of big bumps to slow people down, and many potholes from wear and tear. There are people and children everywhere. I of course want to take all of the little ones home with me, but I know this is not possible as of right now. We arrived at the African Children’s Choir school to a beautiful facility and Lake Victoria in the background. The climate is warm even though it is their Winter, and I laugh when I see the Ugandans in their sweaters and winter jackets. The school is comprised of orphans or children without homes who are schooled and trained in singing groups. They then travel and sing and give concerts all over the world. After this stop at a beautiful school, we went on to our guest house, the place where we are staying. It is up in the hills of Kampala and over looks the city. It has a cute cafe/restaurant and the staff are all wonderfully nice people. Look forward to more as I continue the journey... I have even stories to tell.