I have this really really great idea. This exciting adventure I’m going on. A 600 mile counterclockwise journey through Uganda.

I’ve got those pre-fight butterflies. The feeling just before the first punch is thrown, where you’re not sure yet if you or your opponent is stronger.

And that’s really how I look at the trip to Uganda. As a fight. This is quite different from the way I have entered all 30 of the other countries I have traveled to, although I don’t have a tangible, valid reason for this. It has more to do with ‘aura’ I think. There is an aura about mentioning to somebody that you’re traveling to Africa. They cock their head in confusion, then when you repeat, ‘yes, I said Africa, to Uganda specifically,…’ they become worried. Tell you to be careful. So what is it that makes Uganda so dangerous? In fact, I myself am a little worried, and the fact that I am worried scares me, because I’m normally not worried.

I am worried for other reasons much less esoteric than just ‘aura’ though. I have never ridden a motorcycle before. And while I don’t doubt my ability to learn quickly, I do have small (big) concerns over learning to ride a motorcycle in the Kampala, Uganda in the rain. That is, assuming my rented motorcycle even comes. I rented it through a guy named Kizoto, who told me a guy named Remi will drop it off, and if I have any problems to call a girl named Jackie. There is no down payment required and no guarantees as to the condition of the motorcycle, or more worrying the wear on the tires. It sure would be an African-sized bummer to be stuck in the outskirts of Uganda with a flat tire.

There are other things too about Uganda. Those things like life imprisonment for drug possession, high rates of AIDS, malaria, corrupt police….. but those things are usually blown out of proportion. Right? I hope so….

AHA, there it is. That is why I love to travel. Because now I get to go find out if there was anything to worry about in the first place. Regardless, it wouldn’t do any good to enter a new country with my mind already made up that it’s dangerous or that the people shouldn’t be trusted.

So, Uganda here I come, with zero motorcycle skills, 800 bucks cash, and one good luck crystal.