Rafting Class V Rapids at Jinja, The Source of the Nile, Uganda: S--T!!!!!

We went white water rafting two days ago. It was the scariest thing I've ever done. The rapids began at the source of the Nile River, in Uganda. Class VI rapids are non-navigable. These were Class V. We flipped several times and were caught up in the whirlpool of the rapids. I thought I was in a washing machine. I prayed to survive. Although I got banged up a little, I made it out alive. Of course, there are no pictures because cameras can't float - but there is a video, filmed by a member of the extensive support team that followed us as we made our way 32 kilometres up the river - an all day event. I will try to post it if and when I can figure out how to do that. It would be an understatement to say that I was happy when it was all over.

I am now back in Nairobi, where Yosy was waiting for me at the hotel, having arrived here yesterday. How good it was to see him. He's already helped me with my bags, my laundry, helped scrub the dirt and mud from my body and listened to much of my stories. I had my first great meal in two weeks at a local restaurant and am now ready to set out tomorrow morning for Tanzania and the Serengeti. Since I last wrote much has happened: We were forced to sleep in a field (with the permission and protection of the Village Chief), we were almost killed on the road by a runaway double trailer, just a few short miles from Nairobi, where a warm bed, warm shower, and very hot meal were waiting, and we passed the equator - twice. More about all of this whenever I can get some time to concentrate.

I am having a great time. it should be even better now that Yosy is here and we are headed south, toward the sunshine and away from the rains.