Summer 2006: Travel Diary
by Massimo Guandalini
Dear IPDV (On Vibram Tiptoes) friends,
As head of our group and as an old “Thirtithirder” chap, I would like to say a few words about our beautiful trip to Uganda.
First of all let me tell you that during the whole trip the “Thirtififthers” and their four wives had an exemplary conduct, even in pretty uncomfortable situations like traveling on a shaky van up to 12 hours a day on horrible dirt roads, with little or no water to drink, or sleeping in extremely uncomfortable rooms.
Being able to adapt to difficult situations and behaving with dignity even in the hardest conditions is a proof that one is an Alpine for ever, even after 40 years since the time of one’s Courses in Aosta.
An immense satisfaction was realizing that all the projects financed by us - some with the help of personal friends, of my Rotary Club, and of the Hilbe Foundation – have been carried out by Father Gaetano in an exemplary way.
We also visited the hospital that we, the “Thirtififthers”, contributed to build two years ago in Kyeibuuza, a place in the middle of nowhere. The hospital was full of well treated and well looked after patients (most of them suffering from malaria).
What gave us the strongest emotion and filled us with great joy, apart from seeing the Generator, was to see the water pipeline that now brings good water from the source on a hill 4 km away to the hospital, to the Mission (where I was able to take my first, excellent cold shower) and to the nearby villages through 18 little fountains.
The joy of the children and of all the people there was shown through beautiful celebrations, with dances and songs and speeches from the Missionaries and the heads of the villages. To all of them I replied on behalf of everybody, including those of you who were not there. The participants were sometimes as many as 4/5,000, three quarters of whom were children. Understandably, the huge applauses that welcomed our final speech were highly emotional.
We were also very happy to meet, though too briefly, Vizzi, Felicetti, Petigax and others at the Entebbe Airport. They were returning from climbing the Rwenzori mountain, an initiative made possible through the intervention of Pietro Tombaccini, the real Italian ambassador in Uganda. We then had a sumptuous dinner (Pietro invited us) at the Italian Embassy of Kampala which was full of Alpine cheerfulness.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PIETRO!!!
I could go on for pages, but I think this will suffice.
Let me thank from the deep of my heart all those who contributed in various ways to the completion of Father Gaetano’s projects.
Many thanks to all of you from the children and the people of Uganda…
Who expect even more help from us.
A strong hug from your old chap Guanda 33
The Photos
(click on the single photo to enlarge)
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