Here we go…this stop is for our more adventurous travelers.  We’re in Jinja, the headwaters of the Nile River.  For centuries, explorers trekked through the heart of Africa in search of the source of the Nile River.  One of the most notorious in the 1800’s was the Scottish explorer and missionary, Dr. David Livingstone (“…I presume!”
    The water here can be wild.  One of the most revered rivers for whitewater kayaking, you find incredible waves formed on the upper section of the Nile where the water is warm and the flows consistent.  A number of top Ugandan kayakers have paddled their way out of a life of subsistence by learning to navigate and compete in these waves.  See if you can do some squats while you watch this Red Bull video on Sadat Kawawa, one of the world’s top kayakers.  Then get outside and track some miles.  Let us know what you did on this stop to earn some burn.  Keep up your amazing effort!

Our second stop is the capital city of Kampala, a truly international city with beautiful views from the seven hills, rich culture, a variety of restaurants, fabulous coffee shops, music, traffic, embassies, and heartbreaking slums.  Buzz around town on the back of boda-boda for a close-up view! Zip through the bustling streets and hold on to your helmets.  Boda-bodas are the Ugandan version of Uber, only the ride is on a motorbike.  Don’t worry, they can carry a whole family and some chickens on one boda-boda!
   
We will cruise past the Parliament buildings.  You can visit the tombs of the Bugandan kings, pass the Gdaffid Mosque, and the soccer stadium where Idi Amin imprisoned his political opponents. For a riveting look at Uganda in the time of Amin, check out The Last King of Scotland.
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If you’re lucky, there may be a performance you can catch at the Ugandan National Cultural Center which is surrounded by a great craft fair where you can shop for some souvenirs, like those African pants that everyone will be wearing on the plane ride back to the U.S. They're great for dinner by the lake after all the sightseeing.  
   
If you're looking for something to do while sheltering in place, take the famous Ndere Music and Dance Troupe challenge!   
​How many pots can you balance on your head at once?

These are the same pants I was wearing today for my bike ride.  OK, enough about me, time to get ready to rock some mileage.  Get your sweat on for our friends in Uganda and report your sweat equity… Thank you for trekking with Global Village Connect!
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When you arrive anywhere in Uganda, the first thing you hear is a joyful, “You ah welcome!”  It is announced with such love and appreciation; folks are genuinely honored that you have come from so far away to visit their beautiful homeland, and they go the extra mile to make you feel at ease.  ​