#54: Mbale Trade Fair

28May09

Today I went with some friends to the Mbale Trade Fair, a fair that comes in once a year to the local “football” stadium selling crafts, clothes, new gadgets, etc. Let me tell you, it was quite an experience. We walked into the area and were immediately greeted by several speakers blaring music from all directions, several tents scattered around the field, looking surprisingly American, three carnival rides, and a mobile cinema. At first glance one would think that we had walked into a local country fair in the States, but then I started looking closer.

The rides looked like they came from a reject carnival about thirty years ago. I’m not sure I’d even trust the thing to sit on, much less be flung through the air on. Oh, and you even had a choice of certain death…ride one, two, or three.

The mobile cinema also looked pretty alluring, but I held my ground and decided not to waste my money. For here it is high tech stuff though.

The fast food area consisted of chapati stands (basically thick tortillas, traditionally made in India but adopted into Uganda) and a local butcher offering oh so fresh meat. No Pizza Hut or Chick-fil-a that’s for sure.

Ahhh, what a world we live in. Cultures mix all over the place, and the result is both impressive and a bit comical. I highly enjoyed myself.

Filed under: MWM, Pictures, Uganda   |  1 Comment