Let’s talk about being in the right place at the right time.
Back in July, even before my arrival in Uganda, I almost booked a trip to Kenya for early November. I was thrilled for the opportunity to travel with friends who are also working in east Africa, but something did not feel quite right. I passed on the trip, hoping I would not regret trading in Mombasa’s idyllic scenery for another weekend home in Gulu town. What I realized only later was that turning down a weekend of rest and relaxation afforded me the chance to witness a stunning bit of history.
Northern Uganda was marked as one of the top destinations in the world for observing this Sunday’s hybrid solar eclipse. The statistics I’ve heard are mixed. Some say the last eclipse of this kind took place in the mid-1800s and the next isn’t expected until October 2172. I also saw a report from NASA that this sort of eclipse hasn’t been visible since the year 1400. Truth be told, even if we are all a little hazy on the details, this eclipse is something to remember. Tens of thousands of tourists were expected to arrive in Uganda, many flocking to the small town of Pakwach, considered the very best place in Uganda to view the eclipse.
A hybrid solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves just so to completely block out the light of the sun. While the buildup to the eclipse took some time, the moon eclipsed the sun for only a matter of seconds. Within 15 seconds, the early evening glow that settles around 5 PM had disappeared as the moon cast its dark shadow on the earth, surrounded by only a faint ring of light.
I’ve seen some brilliant photos from the evening, but most of us, armed with iPhones, point-and-shoot cameras or basic DSLR training, could never do it justice. I think some of that has to do with the fact that experiencing remarkable acts of nature is not just something you can see. It is also something you feel.
History is still living here. It’s imprinted on each person. Each scholarship beneficiary, each VSLA group member, each seamstress at Mend, their families and community members. Even substantial recovery efforts can never fully eradicate the impact that Joseph Kony’s rebel war had and is still having on the people of northern Uganda.
Even so, there is a lot of progress. On November 3, 2013, Ugandans and visitors alike experienced a sense of togetherness. On every street corner, people were gathered in groups and peering through safe viewing glasses or film negatives. I cannot help but find it symbolic that all of their faces were turned upwards.
Think people should hear about this?