Hot Springs

A few weeks ago, I visited hot springs about 2 hours from Mbarara with my fellow intern housemates. The trip there felt long- we had to locate a gas station that had gas first; it was raining hard on and off; and the road conditions are sometimes ‘a challenge’- first road construction that inexplicably consists of miles of speed bumps every 50 yards then many miles of dirt roads. There were no signs announcing the location of the springs until we reached the sign stating we’d arrived. On reaching the springs we entered another world. Steam rises from boiling water that emerges from between rocks. The water spreads out to a series of several pools and, in the other direction, joins a stream. There is only a slight hint of sulfur smell. The rocks we walked on were heated so that although it was cool and drizzling most of the time we were there, our feet were toasty. A little removed from the source of the heat, the water is warm but comfortable and about 40 Ugandans, mostly unclothed, were bathing. The waters are thought to have spiritual and physical healing powers. There were people on crutches, people praying, people bathing, and people drinking. At one point a women stood and began preaching, leading enthusiastic songs, clapping, and chanting of praise. The photos are of the springs and of Henry, Moses, Carol, and me.