Uganda 2025 Day 24

Uganda 2025 Day 24

Today Wilson picked me up and we went to visit James at his work. He works at the Mestil hotel in Kampala. We were able to take a tour of the hotel. One of the other employees drove us to the different areas in a vehicle that is like a long golf cart. We started in the area where James works and that is the conference/event center. Actually, last night they had a concert. I believe he said Kenny G was there. The concert has been in the outside garden area. They were still taking down the stage. Inside we were able to see two of the conference rooms. The one on the main floor is the smaller room of the two. I already forgot how many people it holds, but it still can hold a lot. Upstairs is their big conference room. They were setting up for a conference happening that week. It looked like everything that was already set up was places to perfection. The tables had table cloths and the chairs also had cloth covers on them already. It looked beautiful! They were not done yet. Some people were still working in the room and one was even taking a measurement. From there we were driven over to the pool. If you are not staying at the hotel, you can swim in the pool still for a $10 charge. There are actually two pools and you can overlook Kampala in this area. At the pool there is a bar where you can obviously get drinks, but also food. On our way to the pool, we also went past the hotel restaurant. That was going to be the end of our tour, but the guy that was giving us the tour asked if I would like to see the rooms. Of course I accepted the offer. They have 4 buildings. One is the hotel and 3 for longer stays (residence). We started in one of the hotel rooms. It was gorgeous and big. It had a kitchen, big desk, flatscreen tv, and a big bed. The cost for this room is $180 per night. Next we went to one of the other buildings. We went to a one room residence. They have a single bedroom for one to two people, walk in closet that leads to the bathroom. Of course it also a big living room area with a desk and tv, a second bathroom for the living area and a kitchen. This kitchen was bigger than the hotel room kitchen. The cost for this is $220 per night. In my opinion, this would be a nice apartment. Next we went to see the two bedroom residence for one to four people. It was like the other, but had a second bedroom with two twin beds. This room also had a walking closet and a bathroom. The cost for this one is $345 per night. I could not get over how nice and beautiful the rooms were. James had never been in these areas, so he was also seeing them for the first time with Wilson and I. 

After our tour, we went to Cafe Marie at quality. I bought lunch for all of us. It was good to have time in each other’s company. I also bought James his first milkshake and taught him a new lesson. That lesson was the mixture of dipping fries in a milkshake. He loved the milkshake on its own and with the fries. I told him he could have as many of my fries as he wanted for his shake because I could not eat my sandwich, fries and shake. When we were done eating, the three of us went into quality so I could buy a few items. While there, I bough Wilson Pringles and Nutella. For James I bought biscuits (cookies), a sucker, and powdered milk for his drinks. He requested these items instead of Pringle and Nutella. I asked where he was going to get a boda boda and he said the bottom of the hill. Then I asked if he lived close. He did, so we drove him. James lives near his family, so Wilson and I were able to meet his grandma, uncle and brother. Then we were able to see his place. It was such an honor to meet them! I am so thankful that we drove him and were able to meet the family! It was a special moment! Later James told me he gave the biscuits to his grandma. I love that he cares so much for her that he did!