The Rolex and the Boda Boda

I have been in Uganda for one month, and I have to admit that in that time I have been pretty insular in my life. I go to work, I come home, I go for a walk, I go to church, and I eat all my meals at home or school. Compared to my intense two months of travel, I would appear to be at a stand still! But I am enjoying it. After backpacking all summer, I am quite happy to be a homebody at the moment!

However, because of my fully contained world, I must admit that I have been rather slow in experiencing some typically 'Ugandan' things. One such thing being a boda boda ride! In one whole month I have not taken a boda boda ride, mainly because I walk everywhere or else travel in a car.

Boda bodas are men on motorbikes who offer rides like a taxi service. They are everywhere! And little did I know it, but today was my day to experience one!

My day started out fairly normally, I went to school and was chatting with the specialist drama teacher over a cup of tea. Our conversation gravitated to food, and she mentioned some sort of food called a 'Rolex'. I had never heard of it, but it did explain all the signs on small shacks that I had seen advertising 'Rolexes' - I had been pretty sure they weren't talking about watches! 

She explained that a Rolex is a chapati (flat bread, my favourite food) with fried egg, onion, tomato and capsicum; all rolled up and served hot and fresh. It sounded amazing! The more we talked about it, the more hungry we felt. Suddenly, she asked if I had free time right then and there, and suggested that her driver (many people employ a driver here because public transport is not so great) whisk us off to get a Rolex! I eagerly agreed and off we went! 

On the way, we stopped at an International school and she introduced me to the principal. He showed us around the school and we all chatted for a while. It was great to meet and greet another principal in the area, and to look around the school. It was extremely well resourced and beautiful. The kind of place that makes teachers drool in admiration. 

We then went on the search for a Rolex. Rolexes are made by small roadside stalls that dot the main streets. They normally consist of a small cart and a miniature coal cooker with a wok resting on top. We couldn't seem to find a stall nearby, we would have to go further down the main road, but we were in a hurry and it was too far to walk, and there is no parking on the main road. Luckily, there are boda bodas - everywhere! In fact there were about four of them within 2 meters of us. We jumped on the one literally right in front of us and headed off down the road.

It was great fun to be on the back of the boda boda! I felt the wind rush through my hair and the gentle undulations of the road beneath the tires. Our short ride ended right in front of a Rolex stand. My friend ordered in her best Lugandan (the local language) and I watched, mesmerised, their technique as they masterfully mixed and fried the chapati and the egg mixture. Then they take the cooked egg mixture - pretty much an omelette - and lay it on top of the chapati. Then they rolled it up and handed it to me.

I took a bite. It was delicious! And cost all of US$0.75. I can assure you I will be consuming a few more Rolexes before I leave Uganda! What a wonderful way to celebrate my one month anniversary!