Today I have spent the day calling, texting, emailing and frantically seeing people who have made my last three months some of the best of my life. I had no idea what to expect before I left London in March and I could never have predicted what an adventure this was going to be.
I survived a matatu crash; went in and out of prison in a day, saw a seven-foot Cobra at close range; escaped cholera; picked up some Swahili and Lugandan; batted off marriage proposals; caused a scene in Masindi Town screaming like a banshee; stayed sober for 95 days; made some incredible friends and thoroughly embraced jungle life and the wonderful Sonso chimps of Budongo Forest.
In less than eight hours I will be back on a plane bound for Blighty. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has sent me messages of encouragement and support during my study, it really does mean a lot. Blogging has kept me sane and made me feel connected to you all but especially to the people I love the most. Thank you for following and I hope you’ve enjoyed the adventure as much as I have.
Lala salama (Swahili for goodnight)
Asha xx
Daniel Dresner
June 5, 2012
Loved your blogs. Welcome home. x
urbanprimate
June 9, 2012
Cheers Daniel!
x
caesar
June 5, 2012
Hiya Asha
Its been really absorbing reading about your work and the experience you had.
I hope the work that you and your colleagues continues to make a difference for the species you have been studying and someday soon I want to go and see the places you mentioned..
For the time being Im heading to Brazil (though I really did want do the Gorilla adventure!!) and hopefully to the rain forest in the Amazon. I have made friends from previous visits there and going to the amazon has been one of my life ambitions…Cant wait till December!!!!
Its strange but I almost feel sad that you are coming back to London..lol!!!!!
Have a safe trip!!!!
Till your next adventure ..Indiana.
Best Wishes
C.
ps just finished my Frederick Forsythe book today – Fourth Protocol. Great espionage thriller if you are into that sort of thing. I started Stephen Kings 11.22.63 earlier this evening…..Maybe you know that date??
urbanprimate
June 9, 2012
hello Caesar,
Lucky you off to The Amazon, safe trip, I think South America has a lot more nasties than Africa. Thanks for the support over the last 3 months, I’ve enjoyed getting your comments. Feels surreal to be back in the UK, but now comes the real hard work – making sense of it all.
No time for reading anything other than scientific papers now, but appreciate the recommendations.
A
Paul Langford
June 6, 2012
Jaegermiesters are standing by
Paul & Angus woof woof ! xxxxxxx
urbanprimate
June 9, 2012
Be gentle with me!
x
Lateral Zoo (@LateralZoo)
June 7, 2012
Hi Asha,
I’ve enjoyed following your Ugandan adventure and learning about the country and local issues: a bit of a vicarious African escape during desk-bound writing. Speaking of which — good luck with your thesis.
Igal
PS I think the fact the blog posts had to be self contained due to limited interweb access made them even more engaging (perhaps a note to bloggers out there)
urbanprimate
June 9, 2012
Hi Igal,
Many thanks for keeping up-to-date with my travels and for posting comments over the last 3 months. I will have my head buried in books for the next couple of weeks, but once I resurface I’ll get in touch re: your idea.
All the best
A
Lee Darcy
July 2, 2012
Hello again Asha, welcome back to Sunny Blighty!!. I did post a message on your blog early on into your Amazing Adventure, to which you kindly replied. I have popped in and out along the way, to see how you’ve been getting on. I admire what you gave up to purse your goals, so well done. I know you’ll achieve what you set out to do. Hope to see you soon on our screens highlighting the whole situation by educating the general public, which with your passion should make interesting viewing. Lee Darcy
urbanprimate
July 9, 2012
Hello Lee,
Thanks for the message.Yes I’m back on British soil and now confined to my study bashing out this thesis. I have resurfaced on the telly, but it’s only the odd shift now and then while I get the Masters in the bag. Start Ch4 News official late Spetember.