1. A ‘muzungu’ is an African term for a ‘white person’. When traveling through the mountains or walking through town, you may hear this word screamed from little kids scattering the sides of the road as if you are the first white person they have ever seen. You most likely are not but feel free to smile and wave (just resist the urge to throw candy – there’s no need to cause a riot!).
2. The mountains of Kabale are in fact not mountains, they are hills and the hills of Kabale are FREEZING!! It would be wise to be prepared with a sweatshirtjacket, blanket, and maybe a pair of socks. If you don’t in fact have these because you were under the impression Africa is hot, a sheet and rain jacket will suffice in the event of an emergency.
3. Cattle trucks can also be used to haul people. Just beware of the over-head bars, they will not hesitate to jump out and attack your head should it get in their way!
4. An African charter bus is not in fact like an American Greyhound. Yes, it will get you from point A to point B but be advised you should probably figure out a way to shrink yourself as apparently all God’s children should be the size of toothpicks in order to fit 3 to a seat. Also, should you wake up and find a chicken staring you in the face, do not be alarmed-it is common for poultry to be allowed to charter as well (finally, an answer to the age-old question how the chicken actually crossed the road!).
5. There are probably about as many ways to cook African Irish potatoes as Bubba (Forest Gump) found to cook shrimp. French fries and fried potato balls are the potato of choice for Muzungus.
6. Not all Muzungus appear to be as happy, eager, and excited to see you as a big group of Americans are to see them. Be advised, they may be European.
7. Comical skits will probably make African children giggle – the way you pronounce your name and state (especially if you’re from the south…or California) will make African children roll on the floor laughing!
8. To describe who you truly are to an African, it is sometimes important to change your entire introduction identity. “Sarah-Jane from Georgia who studies psychology” is in fact “Sarah from Georgia, USA who studies Animal Behavior” and not “Jane from the country of Georgia who can read your mind”!
9. Zebras do actually exist in real life and apparently live in herds on the side of the road between Kampala and Kabale alongside their brother, the cow.
10. The party in the ATL (Atlanta) has nothing on the nightly party in Kampala which doesn’t stop till about 6 in the morning. If at any time before this, you should wake up and not hear blaring loud Alicia Keys or Beyonce’, you should probably first make sure you have not gone deaf, then check to make sure the city of Kampala is in fact still there and still alive. But not to worry, the music most likely will never end!!
