Manry Family

The Online Home of Mark, Lori, Luke, Connor, Lydia Jane, and Tessa

 
Kagulu
Tuesday, 27 January 2009 12:51

The backpacks my boys received for Christmas were packed full, not with gear but anticipation of the journeys we would share together on the trail.  While we were still in the States, thousands of miles away, all three of us had our sights set on Kagulu - a massive rock about one hundred kilometers north of Jinja, the highest point in Busoga.  We could easily imagine the incredible views from the top of Lake Kyoga sprawling accross the landscape below, having been there once before with Tom Ngobi.  It was no suprise that it took only two weeks in Uganda for us to get to the base of this lonely rock, the boys reunited with their friend Wilson, and me with my teammate Spencer.

20090117-011Kagulu is summitted by a short but steep climb ascending around a thousand feed over the distance of a mile or so. The path features irregularly positioned steps constructed during the regime of Idi Amin to access a communication tower that once stood near the top.  A sturdy concrete shelter is all that remains now; it will be our home for the night.  We were "escorted" up the mountain by a dozen curious Ugandans.  Outsiders visit the mountain every four to six weeks, but camping on top is a rarity.  I was certain we would become the nightly news at the trading centers below. As night fell we were kept warm and well fed by a charcoal fire. Luke cooked a chicken curry rice - our specialty - and we roasted teriaki steak on skewers.  The boys realized that everything tastes twice as good when you are camping and had to carry your food in a backpack!

20090118-021The next morning I stayed back to cook breakfast while Spencer took the boys to "explore" the cluster of boulders that leads to the top.  As they scampered over the large stones and through the brush, a family of baboons quicky retreated, continuously and curiously watching these strangers explore their home.  I often wonder what my boys will remember about their childhood in Uganda as I burn into my memory sights and sounds that are beyond what I ever imagined in my youth.  Do they see Uganda as an exotic wonderland filled with strange creatures and interesting people, or a familiar place they simply call home?  I am content to know what they are thinking right now: they are glad that their dad took them camping!

Click on the read more link to journey with us to Kagulu via video clip:

Dim lights Download Embed Embed this video on your site

Comments (7)add comment

p90x said:

p90x
Duplicate entry detected
July 08, 2010 | url

tony said:

...
mark you desearve the name "Omutaaka wa uganda" "the citizen of uganda!
thanks for the video. its amazing
June 10, 2009 | url

Candice said:

...
Mark, Luke, Connor,
Thanks for posting about your awesome hiking/camping trip. You are really taking advantage of your last year in Uganda in such a great way. You will have many memories of your father-son trips for years to come.
March 01, 2009

Cyndi Manry said:

...
Absolutely amazing video, Mark!
February 02, 2009

Mom and Nagi said:

...
Awesome video!! Thank you for sharing....felt like I was there with all of you!
January 28, 2009

Fabienne Bogle said:

...
I love your blog and your video!!!!
January 27, 2009

Write comment

security image
Write the displayed characters


busy
 

200711markelgon

This is a place where worlds meet words - my hopeful attempt to explore the almost infinite interaction of people, places, ideas, and cultures that fill God's creation, preferrably accompanied by a cup of coffee. An ongoing conversation emerges that is nurtured and shaped by many voices in my life.  Sit and join me for a while...