SI MONTHLY NEWS August 2008 Travellers Tales 2 - Uganda to UK continued
From SI Exco News
Moses Kigozi`s Travel experience in the United Kingdom 2007 Part 3
After the youth and family event, I went and stayed at Ann and David’s home. It is a beautiful home located in Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley (Yorkshire). Behind the house was a small garden with vegetables, Irish potatoes etc. Some days we could get Irish potatoes from this small garden for our dinner. The potatoes tasted the same as those in Uganda, I later learnt that they were brought to Uganda long ago by the British colonialists. The first few days we were over ten people especially from the event. The house had four bed rooms but some slept in the living room and I was given a sleeping bag to stay in the reading room with others. This reminded me of our culture in Uganda when some times we share the homes with relatives. After a couple of nights some members left, I was given a bedroom to sleep.
At this home there was a dog called Josh and a cat. Josh had broken his leg was undergoing treatment, I was surprised to see that animals are treated like human beings. I had a chance to go with Josh to the clinic for treatment. Some dogs at the clinic had been admitted. This reminded me about Uganda where people die due lack of treatment and drugs in hospitals.
I wanted to help with housework but I discovered that most of the house work is done with the help of machines, this was my first time to see and use a dish washer, washing machine etc. so I had to be taught how to operate these machines.
During that week, I was able to move around the village. According to Uganda’s standards, what is called a village in Britain is a City in Uganda. I visited Leeds several times.
On Wednesday 8th August Ann and David gave Mary (Servas friend from Malawi) and I an offer to go and visit York. This place had many tourist attractions like the Minster, Clifford’s Tower, and Castle museum etc. In the morning we packed our lunch, I learnt that it was expensive to eat in restaurants and many people had to prepare food at home.
Ann dropped us at Leeds Train Station so that we take a train to York. S he had to collect us later in the evening after her work.
Mary and I visited the Minster. We found many visitors from different parts of the world. We were told that, the first Minster was built of wood in 627 AD after being damaged when York was captured in 1069. I was very surprised to hear that the new Stone Minster we know today, construction began in 1080 and 1100. It took about 250 years to build. While walking around I noticed it was under going renovation to prevent it from collapsing due to the weight.
We further went and visited the Clifford’s tower named after Roger de Clifford who was hanged there in 1322. This place was a base for administering the North of York. Due to time, we failed to see the museum because by 5pm we had to be at Leeds station where Ann was to pick us after her work, to go home.
While in Britain, I was very much cared for and on top of that I was provided with food, accommodation and transport between host families.
To be continued next month
Moses Kigozi
uploaded by Amelia
