Shillings...

Today is the first time in at least eight years (maybe even twelve?) that I haven't had some Uganda shillings tucked away in my travel wallet. I always kept a few bills- just enough to get a taxi from the SP guesthouse to the nearest ATM.

My friend needed the shillings. She left Liberia today en route to the Philippines with a two week stop over in Uganda. She needed money for a taxi from the airport. I had the currency. Giving her the money was really the only sensible course of action, but I almost couldn't do it. It's less than $10, so it wasn't the value that made me feel a bit panicky as I handed over the bills. It just the symbolism those shillings held for me. I always kept them in wallet because I always intended to go back to Uganda, and I did- a lot of times.

I don't regret leaving Uganda, but I do think about it quite a bit. Giving away the money said to me that I don't know when (or if ever) I'll go back, and that makes me truly sad. I want to go and visit my program.Oh, gracious, do I miss my program. I want to go to Kampala and eat really awesome Indian food. I miss my cat.

Anyways, blah blah blah. Just wanted to let the internet know that I miss having some shillings in my wallet.