We made it!!

JAMBO!! (we're really picking up swahili as you can tell.) Beth is currently battling with slowest internet eeever and trying to get on facebook. Her last effort was thwarted at the last minute when her computer decided it had had enough and needed a nap. (a machine after our own heart). So I thought I'd give this blogging malarkey a whirl.

So, we made it here alive which is a good start.  The journey here went without a hitch, and we were meant by good old Tony at the airport (he was a little late due to confusion as we'd told him the wrong airport - he wondered why we were flying to where only the president and queen's flights are allowed in) who drove us to the hostel. We're in our own rather lovely little banda (which i think translates as round hut) which as an ensuite fitted with a FLUSHING toilet and hot shower. Not a long drop in sight so far (well actually I think Beth did come face to face with one yesterday but I couldnt bear to even look). Everyone at the hostel is lovely and really willing to help - perhaps with the exception of one young many who charged us about 20 times the RRP for a bottle of water, but we are now wise to his games and he is also very friendly.

So far we have seen monkeys, rhinos, zebras, crocs, some form of wild pig, otters, ostrich (ugly), lions and many more. Although before anyone is too impressed, we did go to a zoo yesterday. Beth was rather excited to see her 'first African girraffes!!!!' until we got closer and realised they were plastic. bad times. The wildlife santuary backs on to lake victoria so we were able to enjoy a traditional african cheese toastie at the end of a busy day. We havent tried much local food so far. Beth attempted to today but we were persuaded to stick to the toasties (much to my relief).

Dad, you will be pleased to know that we have sampled the odd Nile Beer - very nice, although also very strong which we didnt realise at first - think it's about 5.6 so don't think it's a ladies drink around these parts. We sampled our first taste of african nightlife last night which was fun. A friend of Tony's took us out for a boogie. The music isnt particulary different. We're woken up with 50cent and Rhinanna most mornings which is always welcome after a very scattered sleep under a sweaty mosquito net. It's working so far though, we are both pretty much bite free so far. The anti malarials dont have too many side effects so far - just some really vivid dreams. Most of mine centre around Jim and Dot from eastenders which is nice.

We're hopefully off to an island of chimps tomorrow which should be good and then off to an aids orphanage on Wed morning. Hopefully be heading off to Kampala, the capital, at the weekend. So we'll be in touch shortly.

I apologise for the spelling mistakes - I'm distracted by the heat and the westlife greatest hits CD. They are proving to be the soundtrack to our trip so far.

Hope everything is good at home, and you're all enjoying the snow!! i can't laugh too much as I'm suffering preeetty badly with sunburnt hands!

lots of love, Beth and Katie x x x x x

i would like to add a few things to katies words...

first and foremost you should know that katies new name is elvis as at passport control thats what the man thought she was called. then last night an unknown ugandan came up to us and called her elvis..very odd! i personally think it suits her.

her other altar ego that she adopts in the day is 'inspector elvis' as she has to wear a hat due to sunburn, dark sunglasses for obvious reasons and refuses to leave the banda without a magnifying glass (i made the last bit up)

anyway...i shall say jambo for now and hopefully we'll venture to this sweat fest establishment again soon to update you all xx