"Surreality"

Not sure if that's even a word, but the word surreal kind of came to me today when thinking about some of the unique and lifelong kinds of experiences I've already had on this trip. One particular event sparked this, but I'll give a little explanation first.

So, I guess I didn't realize the acessability of the government here in Uganda and the kinds of connections that the program I'm with has. But I've met a lot of very neat and influential people thus far. One of our lecturers on Tuesday was a man who worked in Parliament for a term, then in the President's cabinet, then forthe UN, then as the national director of external security (like the CIA), then was finally forced out of government when he voiced his opinions about the authoritarian nature of the president. Another of our lecturers who came yesterday, is the head of the opposition (FDC) party in parliament. He's been all over the news recently and seems to be a big deal. And today, I had the opportunity to visit the national World Vision offices where I and a few others met with the national peace-building coordinator in Uganda. Another very interesting and valuable experience, especially considering my ongoing interest in World Vision.

So that was that... then for the surreal part.

Today after our interview and some other stuff, one of the guys in the group and I decided to head down to the national parliament building and see what it was like. So we walked up to the gates and were stopped by security. At first I thought about just turning around... why would they let us in, but I ended up telling the guard that I was living with MP Angiro Gutumoi and that I wanted to see him. After looking us up and down he let us by. After passing through a metal detector and talking to the receptionist we were in... just like that. So wewent to see if he was in his office, unfortunately he wasn't so we decided to wander. Next thing I knew we were in the commons or whatever you call the place where all the action happens. Pretty surreal right? So we sat there a little while then kept going and walked up a few flights of stairs before finding a parliamentary restaurant. So we sat down and had a drink... at the top of the Ugandan parliament, without any security keeping an eye on us. Surreal. And I haven't even mentioned the extensive history behind the building. I won't bore you now, but you can imagine that a government that has had 9 presidents and not one has come through a peaceful (constitutional) transfer of power that there would be some history.

So yeah, pretty crazy stuff.

Peace,
Matt