girl tourist

So I actually wore sunscreen this time. I decided to go on a long walk exploring the hill next to me. I got to the top taking great pictures of the city views. As I climbed onto one driveway hoping to get a clearer view, the security guard came out. I figured he was going to demand to see my camera and make me stop taking pictures or even take away my camera. (they are kinda paranoid here about terrorists blowing up things). But he wanted to show me where to get the best view. He even wanted me to take his picture. He took mine for me of course. He told me the road didn’t go all the way thru, well actually he said I wouldn’t be able to make it. Something about twists and turns. Since I was in a fairly remote area of the city, I took his advice and turned back and tried another road going around the other side of the hill. The road became a trail eventually, then an overgrown trail. I was busy taking pictures of the different birds and the tri-colored lizard I saw. It was really bright blue, orange, and yellow. I didn’t realize what was happening till I found myself where I met the security guard; full circle. And he said I couldn’t make it. Good grief. But that still wasn’t where I was trying to go which was down the hill towards the main road.

I guess its kinda to be expected tho. I was playing at acting like a girl and a tourist today. Yup, I looked like a regular tourist; tanktop to even out my tan, camera, ipod, bag of books and essentials. Its strange how much I can get away with acting like a girl. And its amazing how many people give me notice. Everyone wanted to talk, but they don’t think of me as able to do much of anything. Not sure if it is less respectful to treat someone not in reference to their abilities but in reference to their gender. They don’t respect me for being competent, but they treat me with respect cuz im a girl. That’s just weird. On the other hand, its kinda humbling being a tourist; you don’t actually know anything about life in the city you are in. It means you make mistakes constantly. Walk into the wrong store, step in front of a car, don’t know where you are going, sit around looking at a map, mixing up the money. Ok, how about very humbling. Im used to not doing any of that cuz I know how to get around America.

I found an amazing picture. There is a local artist close to ntinde who paints scenes of Uganda with swirling paint. One struck something in me. It’s a picture of lake Victoria painted with the cooler colors. After a while, I could even see birds and mountains hidden by the colors. Its $500 dollars tho. I am planning to try to bring the price down and buy it before I return home. That is one painting I could stare at for hours and not get bored. Beauty.