Here are some views from my apartment balcony.
Kampala is really hilly, so walking around is great exercise, although after 7pm when it gets dark I take taxis ('specials') everywhere to be safe.
Kampala Amateur Dramatic Society just put on "Oliver" at the National Theatre - most of the cast especially the kids were from the Kampala International school so it was heavily expat dominated. About 50% of the audience were expats and the rest Ugandans - from what I've observed at work and walking around, expats are less than 1% of the population.
I really enjoyed the show and also having the opportunity to establish contact with local classical musicians, particularly Judith Ahrens (cello) and Doug Kramer (clarinet), who are members of ACMP working out here with the American Bar Association to stop human trafficking.
There are five of us here from Pfizer; three at IDI, one at Save the Children and one at PACE. It's very interesting to learn about the work that different NGOs are doing in Uganda, as well as to exchange tips about expat living.
Being here is bringing out the Brit in me - traffic drives on the left, the road signs are identical to British ones and British English is spoken. Judging by "Oliver" most expats are Brits although there are also Indians, Dutch, German, French and Americans.
More expat experiences yesterday at the KMS fundraiser at the home of the French Ambassador. A vast majority of guests were expats and networks are strong. Almost all work for NGOs, although a few are in commercial enterprises developing national infrastructure such as roads and oil. The dinner was wonderful - French food from the ambassador's home region including foie gras with aspic, camembert cheese and French wines and champagne.
ReplyDeleteBoth times I've been invited to dinner at the homes of expats who have settled here have been wonderful experiences. Many expats hire a housekeeper with excellent cooking skills, and know where to source the most delicious ingredients for almost any cuisine you can think of.
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