Just a Traditional Wedding Anniversary

One year ago (August 16^th), Katie and I said our “I do’s” and started our big adventure of life together.  What better way to celebrate this momentous one year anniversary then waking up super early and trekking out into a swamp with my dad to get our first look at the shoebill in the wild!  We were given some gumboots (what they call rain boots here) and ventured forth into the swamp.  It was a good thing that we were given the gumboots because the swamp water reached almost all the way to the top of the boots.  Our guide said that they had seen shoebills for the last few days that they went out, but we unfortunately were not so lucky.  The shoebills continued to be their same elusive selves and hid from us the entire watery swampy trek.  We did see a bunch of other birds, but our main goal once again eluded us.

Uganda's national bird, Gray Crowned Crane.

Woodland Kingfisher.

Trekking through the swamps in search of the elusive shoebill.

Not done celebrating our anniversary, we finally drove home from our 12-day adventure across the country and went out with a group of our friends to try the Ggaba Fish Market.  The fish stalls are in the bustling cramped market that is right on the water.  We sat at a large outdoor table and had a view of the water with the accompanying smell of old stinky fish, cooking oil for the hopefully fresh fish, and whatever random food whiffs that happened by.  Instead of ordering little fish pieces or fish sticks, here you order a full fried fish either big or small.  Being Dustman’s we had to go with the large fish.  The fish are cooked in a wok with copious amounts of oil.  Probably not the healthiest way to cook a fish, but definitely makes sure that the fish is cooked thoroughly and won’t get us sick.  After its bath in oil, the fish is served whole with a mound of salt, chopped onions, tomatoes, chips (french fries), and of course a beer.  I think my dad was a bit surprised at first, but soon after we were all picking away at the fish with our hands and all that remained were fish bones and a fried fish head.  The fish was really tasty and definitely something we have to do again.

Fishy, yum yum!

Where they cook the fish.

Grilled tilapia with onions, tomatoes, and chips.

The traditional way to celebrate a one year marriage anniversary is to have a piece of the wedding cake.  How are we supposed to do that all the way in Uganda?  Papa Dustman to the rescue!  My dad brought pieces of our wedding cake along with him and we were able to end the day snacking on our delicious wedding cake with some champagne.  Trekking for birds and having whole fried fish may not be the normal way to celebrate an anniversary, but we may have started our own tradition!

Happy one year anniversary!!!