At the races

Forest Gump said "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." This time the box held something special for us: the discovery of a new type of race – a goat race. Seriously, there was a circuit and 10 goats “raced” in six races for the number one position. Not sure, if they really knew what they were doing or even what they were supposed to be doing… hence a little encouragement by some guys pushing them forward with a big mattress on wheels.

But the goat race is much more than that. From what I gather, it is Kampala’s largest festival-style event with thousands of people attending. You can bet on the horses [aehm, I mean goats], there are plenty of corporate tents with free drinks, jumping castles for the kids, competitions, the best dressed gentleman, the best dressed lady, and most importantly: the most adorable hat.

The funniest thing was however when the kids and I turned unexpectedly into attractions: I was asked by some Ugandans which were complete strangers to me, if they could take a picture together with me and the kids. And then, maybe if I could take another picture, just them and the two kids? …What?
That’s what I used to do when I was in Thailand or Peru or in some other exotic country, because the other guys looked so strange and exotic. I realized that I already feel so much at home that I had forgotten that we're still some kind of an exotic beast to so many people...
Still funny though, being photographed like a circus attraction – while actually behaving and feeling perfectly normal. A very good lesson in terms of shifting my personal viewpoint.