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Edited on Wed Feb-08-06 12:38 PM by chascaz
And it's getting smaller by the day. Anyway, I'm glad to be of some use around here. I've been "hanging out" here for over 7 years, and hardly have 100 posts to show for it.
Anyway, to answer your questions, and a little bit more about Uganda...
Carrying Cash:
I've been taking traveller's checks, but I'm finding that lowered exchange rates (vs. U$ cash) and "service fees" are excessive there. In Kampala there are numerous "forex" (foreign exchange) bureaus, which have competitive rates based on the national bank's rates. At hotels, you'll get lousy rates, though. In Kampala, there are ATMs, and I've been considering just using them the next time I go.
Gifts:
I've been trying to turn my Ugandan co-worker/friends onto Guacamole, so I've been sending them packets of guacamole mix, to go with their awesome avocados. It might be hard to find any "tortilla" chips there, though. They seem to like it, but "western food" can be too "rich" for their digestion. For the kids I like to bring crayons (64 pack w/sharpener), and small stuffed toys for the little ones. You can get drawing pads/art paper there, but I was surprised to find that the book store in Mbarara didn't have a single coloring book. For the adults, I have been asked, and delivered; cell phones, a laptop, laptop batteries, books, and for my "drivers", I gave them those FM converter thingys that you can plug your CD or MP3 player in, and it will play it out of your car stereo. They really liked that. I've heard that they get the 2nd rate stuff there, so if you buy a Sony walkman in Kampala, or a Motorola cell phone, it's likely going to be a "knock-off", or lower end model, not built to last. So, they like to get anything of the electronic gadget type that is "Made in America", as the quality is at least percieved to be better. They have a burgeoning middle class there, cell phones everywhere. If you get them any cell phones, they must be the kind with a sim card, that will work in the UK (They're on the same system as the UK), such "GSM" phones tend to be more expensive in the U.S., but I got a good deal on E-bay, and passed it on to my friend, Maxwell, with free delivery.
For the Traveller:
Mosquito net - I take my own. Some hotels have them already, the high-end resort hotels are well sealed, and they spray at night. I prefer to avoid the spray, and put up a net. While there are some very opulent resort/business class hotels such as the Sheraton, I found a much more reasonably priced, and closer to the local culture hotel in Kampala called the "Fairway Hotel", it's across from the golf course. The quality of the rooms is much lower (about like a motel 6 out here), but it's closer to the shops in town, not as insulated as the Sheraton. There's even a "Backpackers" in Kampala for the budget traveller. I suppose that your friend will have his accomodations taken care of by his host, though.
Like any developing country, Uganda's urban centers reek of motor scooter and diesel exhaust, so be prepared for that. Some people keep handkerchief's over their mouths. After a day in Kampala, you blow your nose, and it comes out black, as do the suds when you shampoo your hair. There are also many orphans and crippled beggars on the street, so if you've not been to the 3rd world before, be prepared to deal with that emotionally. Culturally, Kampala is very diverse. There are about 50/50 christian to muslims, i think. Some things are very westernized, others not so. There is at least one modern, multi-level mall, with "western" stores such as the GAP, etc. And there are the street markets and shops everywhere.
Bottled water only - should go without saying, but don't even rinse your toothbrush in the tap water, even if you're staying at the Sheraton, where they treat the water. At the Fairway, you'll notice that the tap water is a little bit brown, but at least there aren't any tiny worms in it.
Tabasco sauce - If you like your food to have flavor. The locals eat mostly staple foods - rice, matoke (like plantains), bananas, millet, grilled chicken and goat meat, etc. The English influence didn't add much flavor, either. At the hotels, you'll get steak (they have beautiful cattle there, huge horns), salads, soups, etc, basic western-style resort hotel fare, but eating out at the Sheraton can add up quickly. There are a few nicer restaurants in town, including a nice Chinese place near the Fairway Hotel. I've also been to an Irish Pub in Kampala, where alot (if not all) of the UK expats hang out, but I forget the name of it.
ON EDIT - There is a minority population of Indians there, many of the shop owners are Indian, and so you can find good curries and Indian food there. I'm sure your friend will have many stories to tell, how long will he be working there? My knowledge of Kampala is a bit limited, since I spend most of my time there in Mbarara, which is a small town, and things are a bit less hectic there than in Kampala City. I'd like to hear your friend's take on Kampala someday, I'm sure I'll find out a thing or two that I didn't know.
Have fun during your visit, I'd like to hear how it goes, and feel free to PM me for pics.
Peace - :)
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