The last week has felt like an eternity. I’ve been worried about whether I would ever see my $175 again. When I handed over the cash to Vector Control Division for camp fees I never expected I would be asking for it back.
Many friends, and family have all expressed their doubts about whether I’d get a full return.
“This is Uganda, they may give you some of it now, but you may not get it all for weeks!” warned Isaac.
“But if they were not going to refund her, they would have made excuses now, besides she is a Muzungu,” reasoned Geoffrey.
No matter what people said, there was a small part of me that felt I needed a Plan B to force the issue if push came to shove. I thought about losing my temper; threatening them with scathing publicity as a journalist; calling on respected people in the science community to add pressure. But thankfully I didn’t have to do resort to any of those things. I walked in at 10am was in there less than ten seconds. I was handed an envelope with my name on it, counted the cash and Bob’s Your Uncle, was out the door.
Easy, if only everything could run as smoothly in Uganda, now for the epic journey back to camp.
whogivesamonkeys 
Posted on May 6, 2012
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