Buenvenidos a Miami

So there we were... on a nontypical Kampala Adventure. Wes, Bunza, Sarah (3 other PCV's) and I had exhausted all things American in Kampala- bowling, pizza, movies, casinos, dancing- and decided to hop the "Glory to God III" matatu and head down to Port Bell on Lake Victoria, where Bell Breweries is located. Using our powers of persuasion (ie, pulling the "Muzungu" card) we attempted to convince the guards to allow us on a brewery tour, but were told to come back on a day that wasn't the Lord's day (hard to come by in Uganda). We then searched for the paved bike/rollerblade path that circumvents the lake, but settled for a dirt road full of debris and potholes called "Lakeshore drive". As we meandered, we came upon massive webs, and in them, equally massive spiders. Bunza risked his head to take some amazing photos while i helpfully pointed out which spiders were coming closer and closer to his face.

Next, we found some decent signage pointing the way down to the lake.... or Florida.
After paying 4 times the price to get into the beach front property, we explored the area, and settled down in some lawn chairs watching the Ugandans swim in the Trichinosis infested waters and sipped some beers. A man came up and asked if we would like to go on a boat ride out to the island and after negotiating a price, the man brought his motorboat around and we piled on board, beers and all, ready for a booze cruise.
We banked on the island and set out to explore the small fishing community. As we trekked the island, we noticed again, a group of the massive spiders. Then to our horror (and perhaps Bunza's pleasure) we noticed massive webs covering all the trees. Out guide informed us that this was known as Spider Island, but that the spiders are harmless and make silk, which apparently no one harvests. Our guide and boat driver ended up being from my village and also was working with an organization that Wes had worked closely with and as the world of Uganda became smaller, we happened upon the owner of the island, Frank, a Ugandan who had worked with Peace Corps volunteers in the National Parks. We chatted with Frank, who bid us well and ended with words of warning 'Watch out for the cobras"

There'd be a different story to tell if the words of advice were needed, but alas, we left spider, and apparently cobra island fairly unscathed, although Wes had a wicked encounter with some Cassava, a local tuber that apparently can get lodged under one's toenail. ...

As we drifted back to Miami Beach, reflecting upon the randomness of the adventure, one of the Ugandans floating in a tire tube near our boat welcomed us back with a "Welcome to Miami". And with that we returned to Kampala, and well, partied in the city where the heat was on.