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Abstract

. Locals carry their loads to the village from high up in the mountains. Photo Credits: Author</figcaption></figure>We stopped to take some pictures and take in the beautiful scenery. We passed many locals on the road, people who have farms and properties way up in the mountains, and come down to the village each day to sell their wares. The loads that they carry on their backs are incredible.And here I was complaining about carrying one of the water jugs back down! North Americans are so soft!It’s interesting to note that Ugandans don’t use animal power to move their goods. In most other countries we have been to, they use donkeys, camels, yaks, or any other number of animals to help ease their personal burdens. But not here in Uganda. Everything is either moved by a vehicle, or by people.It’s fascinating to witness.The cows were also out moving along the road, feeding on the grasses in the ditches. In Uganda, the cows pretty much roam freely. Of course, they are guided by a herder, but they get to go for a walk each day and eat delicious plants that are along trails and on the sides of the roads. Between them and the goats, the roadsides stay nice and trimmed.<figure id="cbd8"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*zhnN8djEAXIX_vWtt8XsiQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Oh to be a cow in Uganda! Photo Credit: Author</figcaption></figure><figure id="09e9"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*Yk7yJhMjJAHSYLw5eUreog.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="9f50"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*VxGtL-K5yOodVY1HvQqfcg.jpeg"><figcaption>We love these 2 common flowers that grow on trees here. They are so delicate! Photo Credits: Author</figcaption></figure>After about 40 minutes, and many “wasibiris” (good afternoons) to the locals, which always causes them to giggle, we made it up to Ruboni camp.The camp sits high on a cliffside that looks out over the jungle below. The front veranda is at tree height, and it is a lovely spot to just sit and take in the birds and wildlife that flitter past constantly.<figure id="5b27"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*FFzRypq_reEqzCmQrOEE8Q.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="d322"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*Mg6H69rIxaCmyvBA9TKhgQ.jpeg"><figcaption>The approach to the camp is done by the gangway which passes over a small creek, and the stairs to get around the lodge are built into the hillside. Photo Credits: Author</figcaption></figure><figure id="de07"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*XbhXLr2yI-j18WjPrmvlaw.jpeg"><figcaption>The view from the veranda is stunning. Photo Credit: Author</figcaption></figure>We were thrilled when we arrived to learn that they have recently obtained a kitten. It looked a lot like the kitten that we had raised while we stayed at Elephant Home, in another Ugandan town, while we were there for 6 months last year.She is a real c

Options

uddler and we took great joy in hanging out with her. In fact, we have returned a couple of times since, and we always make sure we have plenty of time to visit with her.<figure id="b5d8"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*BY5m2TOxq3NEheIU9vm4gQ.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="2f2e"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*IKUS-1skgyLjSmjgZiOp-A.jpeg"><figcaption>They didn’t have a name for her so we called her Jackson after the local famous chameleon, the Jackson Chameleon. Photo Credits: Author</figcaption></figure>After getting our fill of kitten lovin’, plus chatting with the staff, we made our way back down the valley to home.It was a beautiful day for an excursion and we were happy to be reminded of our time spent there last year. This part of Uganda is so lush and green, especially this time of year while it is the rainy season, and it’s been nice to be reminded of it and to lavish in the abundant plant life.We really do love the small villages in these countries. It is a slow pace of life and everyone just moves so gently from day to day. There is never panic, and nobody is in a rush. One day leads into the next, and it seems that people are content in their present moments.<figure id="bcca"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*e_EBaE5HsY4YzSOQ8u0PFg.jpeg"><figcaption>Mission accomplished and fresh drinking water for a few more days! Photo Credit: Author</figcaption></figure>Thanks for joining us on our mission to go get some water. These sort of tasks seem like a life of struggle to many, I am sure, but it is just a part of life, and you make time for it. One thing that people have in this part of the world is lots of time, and we have adjusted our ways to match theirs.It’s a beautiful life.<figure id="016d"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*FPhxaPRp8QVe_lys05LS_g.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>Hi there, we are 2 Canadians, Jill and Chris from Artistic Voyages. We have been nomadic since 2017 living in numerous different countries, and experiencing the life and diversity of our planet on the ground and firsthand. We have now been on the African continent for over 2 years!Subscribe to Medium through my <a href="https://artisticvoyages.medium.com/membership">referral link</a> to get full access to my writing plus thousands of others! Plus sign up <a href="https://artisticvoyages.medium.com/subscribe">here</a> to get my articles by email!Join our adventure by hitting the links below!<a href="http://www.artisticvoyages.com/">Website</a> | <a href="http://www.instagram.com/artisticvoyages">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/artisticvoyages">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/artisticvoyages">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://www.patreon.com/artisticvoyages">Patreon</a>|<a href="http://www.youtube.com/c/artisticvoyages"> YouTube</a> | <a href="https://artisticvoyages.medium.com/">Medium</a></article></body>

TRAVEL | UGANDA | AFRICA

A Lovely Day To Fetch Some Water

And to revisit a place from our past.

Looking from our yard in the village towards the Rwenzori Mountains and the valley we were about to walk up. Uganda 2022. Photo Credit: Author

We had been dodging the rain for the afternoon, but we decided to walk up to Ruboni Community Camp when the clouds parted for a bit. We had a couple of reasons for wanting to do this.

Almost a year ago we were here in Ruboni and we stayed at the camp. Last year we were surprised when we arrived at the camp to find that it is in a white zone.

A white zone is totally off the grid and receives no cell or internet signal of any kind.

It was a bit of a shock to the system, and we had to walk down the road each afternoon to find some cell signal so we could do our online projects, but we actually reveled in the break from our devices. It was a very peaceful time and we stayed for 3 weeks! Talk about being in touch with nature.

However, this time, we have more online work to do, so we chose to stay in the village instead. Since we had now been here for a bit, we wanted to go and check in on the place to see how the staff were doing and to say hi.

Last year's paintings at Ruboni Camp. Chris painted some pillars with vines and we painted the reception/bar counter. The design was based on their logo. Photo Credits: Author

The second reason for wanting to go up there is because we also needed drinking water. The water up there comes from a spring, and it is clean and delicious. The water down here in the village is not as clean and requires boiling before drinking it. While in the city we had purchased two 5L jugs of water, knowing that we could refill them at the camp.

Jugs in hand, we wandered along the dirt road heading up the valley. There is a noticeable elevation difference between where we are in the village, and where the camp sits. It’s about 2km further up the valley and the ascent is about 200m.

A local brings a basket of goods across their only small bridge. Locals carry their loads to the village from high up in the mountains. Photo Credits: Author

We stopped to take some pictures and take in the beautiful scenery. We passed many locals on the road, people who have farms and properties way up in the mountains, and come down to the village each day to sell their wares. The loads that they carry on their backs are incredible.

And here I was complaining about carrying one of the water jugs back down! North Americans are so soft!

It’s interesting to note that Ugandans don’t use animal power to move their goods. In most other countries we have been to, they use donkeys, camels, yaks, or any other number of animals to help ease their personal burdens. But not here in Uganda. Everything is either moved by a vehicle, or by people.

It’s fascinating to witness.

The cows were also out moving along the road, feeding on the grasses in the ditches. In Uganda, the cows pretty much roam freely. Of course, they are guided by a herder, but they get to go for a walk each day and eat delicious plants that are along trails and on the sides of the roads. Between them and the goats, the roadsides stay nice and trimmed.

Oh to be a cow in Uganda! Photo Credit: Author

We love these 2 common flowers that grow on trees here. They are so delicate! Photo Credits: Author

After about 40 minutes, and many “wasibiris” (good afternoons) to the locals, which always causes them to giggle, we made it up to Ruboni camp.

The camp sits high on a cliffside that looks out over the jungle below. The front veranda is at tree height, and it is a lovely spot to just sit and take in the birds and wildlife that flitter past constantly.

The approach to the camp is done by the gangway which passes over a small creek, and the stairs to get around the lodge are built into the hillside. Photo Credits: Author

The view from the veranda is stunning. Photo Credit: Author

We were thrilled when we arrived to learn that they have recently obtained a kitten. It looked a lot like the kitten that we had raised while we stayed at Elephant Home, in another Ugandan town, while we were there for 6 months last year.

She is a real cuddler and we took great joy in hanging out with her. In fact, we have returned a couple of times since, and we always make sure we have plenty of time to visit with her.

They didn’t have a name for her so we called her Jackson after the local famous chameleon, the Jackson Chameleon. Photo Credits: Author

After getting our fill of kitten lovin’, plus chatting with the staff, we made our way back down the valley to home.

It was a beautiful day for an excursion and we were happy to be reminded of our time spent there last year. This part of Uganda is so lush and green, especially this time of year while it is the rainy season, and it’s been nice to be reminded of it and to lavish in the abundant plant life.

We really do love the small villages in these countries. It is a slow pace of life and everyone just moves so gently from day to day. There is never panic, and nobody is in a rush. One day leads into the next, and it seems that people are content in their present moments.

Mission accomplished and fresh drinking water for a few more days! Photo Credit: Author

Thanks for joining us on our mission to go get some water. These sort of tasks seem like a life of struggle to many, I am sure, but it is just a part of life, and you make time for it. One thing that people have in this part of the world is lots of time, and we have adjusted our ways to match theirs.

It’s a beautiful life.

Hi there, we are 2 Canadians, Jill and Chris from Artistic Voyages. We have been nomadic since 2017 living in numerous different countries, and experiencing the life and diversity of our planet on the ground and firsthand. We have now been on the African continent for over 2 years!

Subscribe to Medium through my referral link to get full access to my writing plus thousands of others! Plus sign up here to get my articles by email!

Join our adventure by hitting the links below!