Day 11: Monkey Mountain and Milkshakes

​After last nights debrief running a little late, we were running on about 6 hours of sleep due to the anticipated 4 am wake up. We aimed to leave Suubi House by 4:30 for Monkey Mountain. I was sweating up a storm from the night before as it was scorching, but we got on the gear and started our walk. Many dropped off our clothes at the village of hope so later we could give it to our mothers to wash and then we started our 45 minute walk up the pitch black mountain. Once reaching the top, we sat peacefully up watching the city lights and waited for the sun to rise. Although it was cloudy, eventually we were able to look at the red African sun for a brief moment before it disappeared again. 

​Once reaching the bottom of the mountain at around 8 o clock I gave my washing to Mama Lois and walked to the admin building to eat breakfast. Brekkie was just the stock standard rolex and chappatis, as well the good old trusty Doxy with a bit of aqua. After the morning banter we split up into groups to continue our work at the Village of Hope. A few people continued laying the bricks of a kitchen so more people can be moved into that home, and the rest painted the existing houses with a coat of white paint to freshen up the house make it lighter. As usual, tunes were belted out and we were covered in white paint but we persisted and completed a fair amount of our tasks.
 
After cleaning all of the paintbrushes, we did our usual 5 minute walk home that feels like a solid half hour in the boiling sun. We then came home and showered and not long after headed off to town. We were then given a choice of where we would have lunch but many went to the popular destination The Keep, Jinja’s finest restaurant where I was treated to a cheeseburger with some fries and a milk shake and enjoyed my meal with the fellas and Liv. With a tear in our eyes we walked away from The Keep and went on a shopping spree. For the next 2 hours I continued to walk into shops looking for gifts even though every shop sells the same thing, but I bought some gifts for myself and my family thanks to going back to my home girl Ester who I had met last time in town that gives away half of her shop when you buy one thing from her. Big shout out to Ester.
 
We then came home and had mashed potato, rice, carrot and beef for dinner which many were happy about as it was the first time we have had meat for dinner for a while as meat is very expensive. After demolishing that, we sat around playing card games and performing magic tricks and as I am writing this I can hear the majority of people sitting up on the roof singing along to music, a couple of people have hit the sack and my friends the New South Walian’s are chillin’ with me downstairs so a big shout out to Chloe the famous actress and Sarah the confused magician.
 
I had better get some sleep though because I am struggling to keep my eyes open, hope this blog isn’t too bad and that you enjoyed reading it.
- Brayden ‘Crowd Favourite’ Halamoutis