Along the Tracks

July 17, 2013  •  1 Comment

Our first full day in Kampala was on July 11th, we started out the day meeting our unofficial guide John who is a mentor at Cornerstone's Khibuli home for boys (for a more in depth explanation of what Cornerstone does check out their website: www.CornerstoneDevelopment.org).  He took us on a matatu or taxi which are Toyota vans that sit 16-20 people.  There are no official stops like our bus system, the driver yells out places they are headed to then you negotiate a price for the ride.  We took the matatu to Nakasero Market which is a very busy farmer's market.  We walked by shops where you can buy anything form jewelry to guitars then walked the 3km home.  I did not bring my camera since I wanted to experience the place with my full attention and pickpocketing/purse snatching is more likely in dense areas.  The amount of people in the market was a bit overwhelming, Ugandans have a different sense of personal space and we didn't yet understand what is/is not acceptable.  John is a very friendly and good hearted guy who patiently answered our questions and watched for our safety.

Later in the day we went on a photo shoot with my cousin Dani who wanted to walk down to some old railroad cars. 

 

To the right are ruins of a building being reclaimed by nature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

<<<Who needs a Home Depot to buy plants? Just buy them on the side of the road!

 

>>>Many people walk along the tracks as a shortcut, Dani got a great close up of the woman heading towards us.  She is an excellent self-taught photographer who is great at capturing people, check out her work at: https://www.facebook.com/PortraitsOfKampala

 

We came across a bunch of Maribu Storks and what looked like cattle bones and tails all over the railroad tracks:

 

 

 

After speaking to some folks in the area, Dani found out that we were behind a slaughterhouse.  We entered through the back and also found out that all of the people living in the slums behind the slaughterhouse worked there.  Dani negotiated a price for a hide and skull...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then walked back to the car and went to a photographer's workshop being taught by photojournalist Tadej Znidarcic.  We didn't stay the entire workshop since it was basic stuff, but it was interesting to see some of Tadej's world class work!  As we arrived home the power went out briefly and we had a candlelight dinner with Aunt Cathy.  

 

 

 

 


Comments

Lenna(non-registered)
I took a look at your aunt's and Dani's websites/images. Talent runs in the family!
Thank you so much for taking the rest of us on your trip.
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