how does it feel … to be without a home … a complete unknown … like a rolling stone ???

ooook …

so twice i wrote a post on canada day, (once on canada day, once the day after) and both times, minutes from publishing, the computer crapped the bed like a champ and i lost it … so i will just gloss over the past half week or so …

and happy belated canada day … so depressing to miss the long weekends …

i have been offered 2 incredible jobs in the past few days … the first was by a guy who was the CEO of the largest NGO in Auz at the age of 25 … he spends most of his time doing motivational/transformational coaching for ex-warlords turned politicians in africa … which, to me, is a near-brilliant approach to solving some of the problems facing the world … basically saying ‘we can’t fix the issues, only the leaders can, so let’s help the corrupt monsters to find their souls and realize that they can be selfish and help their people at the same time’ …

he also founded a US based university that offers very cheap degrees by distance education for political/social/religious leaders in africa … the idea being that the guy who sold chickens by the side of the road, and then became a soldier, and then became minister of education … doesn’t REALLY have the education necessary to be an effective leader.  This program is designed to help people like that to become effective leaders.  Another brilliant approach to solving some of Africa’s challenges.

He offered me a job building from scratch, operating and growing the Kenya branch of this University.  Cool eh?  I said no.

Then I also met a guy who, between running huge drycleaning businesses and luxury resorts, runs an organization called Honey Care.  Honey Care is a social enterprise, which is EVERYTHING I am interested in right now (basically, a profit driven organization that empowers and supports Africa’s rural poor).   They have a network of small farmers who supply them with honey, which they sell fair-trade all over the world.

He offered me a job RUNNING Honey Care.  Cool eh?  I said no.

I have a path to follow, and while both these are amazing opportunities in creative development, my path lies elsewhere.

I was sad to say goodbye to Nairobi.  I really have learned to love that place.

Now I am in Kampala.  It’s a great little city.  I had the shock of my life last night, though.  After months in rural areas, staying in hotels and with priests, I came to a city and booked a room in a hostel.  I walked into the reception/bar and suddenly found myself in backpacker culture for the first time.  Culture shock of my life.  A room full of young, attractive white people dancing and drinking and laughing.

It’s funny, b/c 5 months ago, this was my world.  Last night I actually had to leave the room, go find the quiet of my bunk, and write in my journal.  I couldn’t be there, and I can’t describe why.  That ‘world’ has just been so far away for SO long, that I didn’t know how I was supposed to behave anymore.  Oh well, I am sure I will be fine tonight, and it’s Friday so i think i will go out for a couple.

I spent the day getting lost in the city.  I love African cities.  They are pure chaos.  Noise and traffic and anarchy, and i just love wandering down alleys and into dark shops, as they inevitably open into huge back alley markets full of the most wonderful and friendly people you will ever meet.  I find the least friendly people are the other whites.  Seriously.

Today I walked into an outdoor ’store’, followed it to the back and found that it continued as a ‘tunnel,’ about 10 feet wide.  It happened that this tunnel extended for at least a km, with both walls and the roof covered in designer clothing at amazing prices.  They sell the clothes that ‘expire’ on the shelves of europe’s designer shops.  Really unique and cool clothes for CHEAP!!!

the plan is to chill out for a few days here, and then take off into rural area/national parks for about 10 days of meeting people and doing tourist crap …

hope all are smiling …