I want to go back....

Oh dear...I've only been back a few days but I already miss being away. Being back has gave me lots of time on my own to think. Some of my research has came in handy for my own personal use but I'll keep you updated on how that goes. I haven't heard from any of my UKSRI team since I've been back...obviously I wasn't too memorable. So for now it's just me, Bell and my research. Sure you couldn't ask for much better! :)

Bye for now,

Jess

I'm Home!

Well...at long last I'm finally home...there were a few delays along the way which meant me getting home later that anticipated but I had a lovely welcoming when I got home as Bell, one of my cats jumped up to see me as soon as I opened the door.

Really bad news though. Mipsy my older cat died while I was away, my neighbour tried to get in contact with me but most of the time I had my phone off because there was no signal. I'm devasted about this but she wasn't well so mayb in the long run it's better for her.

RIP Mipsy...love you always.

Jess

At the airport

Today it's time to go home! :( I can't believe my jounrey has ended. It seemed like only yesterday I started typing on this blog to say that I was leaving. Well what an experience it has truely been. I've been to so many different places and experienced so many different sights. It's been amazing. The highlight for me has definately been Africa...it has been such an experinece and the people and their beliefs are so unusual. There's just so much to study.

I'm looking forward to getting home now...not a big fan on flying. It's been brilliant having this blog to keep me going through all the up's and down's. I think I am maybe going to even try keeping it up to date when I get home.

Anyway, see you on the other side,

Jess

Back in Kampala

We're back in Kampala. Robert thought it would be good if we rested for a while. Got some proper food and a wash and even a proper bed so he has booked us in to a hostel/hotel place. He's really becoming like a father figure to me and his stories of his life's journies are endless. We're only stayin here two nights as we are flying out of Entebbe International. Robert is flying back with me as his visa is running out and he is going to take the opportunity to go home and visit relatives.

For me it'll be to go home see my oh so cute cats and start in on writting up properly everything I have experienced out here and also maybe carrying out a few tests of my own. Anyway I'm goin to enjoy the last of this city...it'll probably be one of our last stops before the airport.

Bye for now,

Jess

Starting the Trek home...

Today we're heading back towards the city. We're leaving Akiki and Kigongo home and the Robert and I are heading back towards the city. I have really had my eye's opened here but it has gave me lots of brilliant inspiration for my research.

I managed to take a few photographs yesterday so i'll post those up. There is a beautiful place here it's just that the things that go on aren't so beautiful unfortunately.

Horror Stories...

Today Robert took me to meet a boy called Mukisa. Robert found Mukisa and help treat him after a witch doctor abuducted him. Mukisa told us his story of how the witch doctor took him and left him for dead after cutting off his penis. He was just three years old when this happened. Mukisa's mother told us that everytime I look at him I ask myself how his future is going to be and how the rest of the community will look at him. I thought these were very harsh words from his own mother who nearly sounded as if she would have preferred him dead because of the shame it will bring to their family in the community.

Robert told me that Mukisa is only one of many stories that he could show me...although most aren't 'lucky' enough to get away.

Bye for now,

Jess

Witch Doctors

Today I met a witch doctor!wow!Such an experience. The things they practice are so weird and most of it just completely insane!! We talked to one man who used to be a witch doctor but has now changed. He now campaigns to end child sacrifice and confessed for the first time to having murdered about 70 people, including his own son. I could see in his eyes that he was truely sorry. He led us to another practicing doctor's secret shrine where he regularly captures children and brings their blood and body parts to be consumed by spirits. The sight and the smell of that place I just couldn't describe in words. The stench was almost unbearable.

The strange thing is that the doctors think that they are doing the right thing and think that they are chasing away eveil spirits. I do believe in evil spirits but I definately don't think that making these kind of sacrifices are helping anyone.

Robert has told me that we are going to be staying here for a couple of weeks, he wants to talk directly to a practising 'doctor' and also he has medicine to try and help anyone with scars and broken wounds.

This is a different world from home...

Jess