And I Haven't Even Left Yet

I haven't even left Meanysota yet but I have so many questions of yours that I can answer about Uganda. Before you even ask, though, the answer to, "Why are you calling it 'Meanysota'," is: Anywhere that a Republican majority can shut down the government, take away people's jobs and close State parks just so rich people won't have to pay their fair share of taxes and where Republican legislators think that passing laws to make gays second class citizens is more important than providing poor people with health care deserves to be called Meanysota. But where was I? Oh yes, Uganda.



Uganda is south of the equator and eight time zones ahead of US Central Standard Tme. It is in East Central Africa. Right now it is mid winter and the dry season. It is 80 F during the day and 60 F at night.

MONEY.If I thought that money was funny in Peru I had better be more than prepared for Uganda. Uganda has shillings -- 2600 Uganda shillings to one US dollar; 100 pence per schilling. Not a problem. Just like Peru they prefer dollars US. I have been instructed to bring US dollars in cash in small denominations with dates no earlier than 2006, not wrinkled, not soiled. Not credit cards. Not traveller's checks. I very thoughtfully called the Lake Street branch of Wells Fargo to let them know what I needed and they rather contemptuously told me that they are in the business of providing US currency in cash for people during any business hours. I asked for an appointment anyways and when I arrived on the appointed day at the appointed time two employees bumbled around for nearly an hour trying to scrape together clean, recent bills while proceeding to really piss off the other customers who were standing in line. Never mind. I'm ready money-wise.

POLITICS. Uganda is a democracy. There are presidential elections every five years. They have re-elected the same guy for the last twenty years because they like him so much. Really?

LAWS. Homosexuality is illegal. Wearing camoflage clothing is illegal. Swimming is just dangerous.


Ready? Next post will be from UGANDA





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Location:Meanysota