My Kampala

There are seven hills in Kampala. One Sunday me and my friend hiked up and down all of them, which made a good tour around the city (pics 1&2). During those four hours and 25 kilometers we got both bright sunshine and pouring rain, and walked through dirty slums, chaotic traffic jams, festive church meetings, busy shopping areas and wealthy neighborhoods. Despite being in the city we faced the challenge of crossing a floating river (pic3). Local athletic boys tried to encourage us to jump over it by showing their example, but we decided to pass mainly because the water was extremely filthy (pic4).

For almost a third of the walk we were followed by a persistent little girl. When we questioned her about finding her way back home, she answered she has nowhere to go. We debated whether or not it would be right to give her money. On one hand she would get fed at least one day, but on the other hand she would learn to follow mzungus long ways in hope for treats. In addition, some kids who do have parents try to get money by pretending to be orphan, either because they do not have anything else to do or they are told to do so. Either way, these kids would indeed need help to leave poverty.

Since several people had recommended me to explore Owino Markets for second hand stuff, one afternoon I headed to that large area of roofed little stalls (pics 5&6). Being the only mzungu there I got enthusiastic offers to buy everything from everyone. Indeed I could have bought just anything: clothes, shoes, books, food, kitchen appliances, electronics... Vendors get their stock at minimal cost from different sources of Western countries, and sell it further at very cheap prices. I could have bought an used Luis Vuiton handbag for less than 10€. The markets were simultaneously exhausting and exciting, and I was pleased to see such efficient rotating of used stuff.

It is natural to get most attached to your own neighborhood. After my house sitting job ended I moved just a few kilometers further to another house, which I share with four lovely flatmates. When I need to relax, I go to my favorite pool overlooking our hoods and Lake Victoria (pic7). Visiting friends living in other areas of Kampala is a good opportunity to see around. One evening I got to enjoy good wine and snacks on a balcony overlooking one of the city's hills (pics8&9).

Pre-departure reflections

I am sitting outside at an terrace, looking into darkness and hearing the sounds of surrounding invisible insects. It seems like ages ago when I was in a very similar setting writing one of my earliest blog entries. Soon I will end this period of exploration - both of the outer world and of my inner self - and return home. It is time to do some reflecting on what I have discovered.

Assumption #1 Office work is not suitable for me. False. I tried doing root-level field work but soon started missing strategies and management. In order to do higher level planning I must spend some time among computers, meeting rooms and coffee machines.

Assumption #2 Meaningfulness motivates me. True. If I know, or at least believe, that my work has positive impact in the lives of people in developing countries, I feel my efforts have value. I also want my work to be challenging, varying, rewarding and fun.

Assumption #3 I can be happy doing nothing. False. After relaxing for a while I want to start doing something productive to earn my living. Free time truly becomes valuable when it is balanced with scheduled responsibility. Just laying around makes me feel useless.

Assumption #4 I should give all my money to the poor. False. Giving small donations to carefully selected targets is good, but releasing a substantial portion of one's income is unnecessary (excluding multi-millionaires). There is lots of grant money floating around and ending up to inefficient and even fake projects. What makes more sense is to streamline the targeting and usage of all that money to provide as much help as possible.

Assumption #5 I am not a morning sports person. False. I have grown to love my morning runs. Getting up right before sunrise and heading outside to enjoy comfortable warmness and to see villages burst into action is delightful.

Assumption #6 I seek continuos learning and experimenting. True. Now I am even more convinced than before that in order to be happy I must live through various environments, sources of action and feelings. However, I am not sure what all variables (incl. location, people, work, hobbies) must keep changing and what ones can remain the same.

Assumption #7 Status does not matter to me. False. I am a bit ashamed to admit, but I still measure my success partly by my professional and social status. That is to be busy at work, get invited to numerous events and be sporty, cultural and trendy.

Assumption #8 Living in beautiful surroundings makes me happy. True. My mood gets better when I walk in an interesting city or peaceful nature. Therefore I love good weather and appreciate immediate access to outdoor activities. I like my home to be neat, spacious and lightfull - my own atmospheric spot.

Assumption #9 I am a punctual person. True. Even though here plans are being made at last minute, meetings start when everyone has arrived and it is impossible to predict whether a journey from one place to another takes 15min or 1hour, and I have learned to live with it, I prefer having pre-determined schedules and sticking to them.

Assumption #10 Art is not my piece of cake. False. Previously I thought that because I am not artistically talented there is no point in doing it. Now I believe that as long as I enjoy art I should do it, even if it impresses nobody. I still do not want to paint or sign but I could learn dancing and photography.

Assumption #11 Efficiency is a self-standing value. True (maybe). Never before I questioned the importance of using resources (time, money, skills) in most efficient ways to maximize produced outcomes, be it higher shareholder value, charity efforts or anything. But does non-stop prioritizing and optimizing promote stress and kill free creativity? Should illogicality and inefficiency be accepted as ok, to a certain degree? Personally I get annoyed when resources are wasted and non-sustainable processes are used, but perhaps I should not except such efficiency everywhere.