To the woman who taught me to explore the unknown, ask questions, think outside the box, and take the path less traveled. The woman who has embodied strength, independence, resiliency, and patience and led by example. Tough love, stepping outside the comfort zone, singing more than talking, laughing fully until your belly (and neck) hurts, and always asking how? & why? And what if? Thank you, Mama Mia, you’ve made my the spirit I am today. Happy Mother’s Day, You are my 🌎! #exploremore #motherday @sabokay1 #mamalove #gadafimosque #girlpower (at Ghadafi mosque .Old kampala) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxX_bi2lja8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qyv703c8ljo1

I spent a few days in Kampala, unfortunately the timing was not the best. There were riots in the city center. Bobi Wine is an Ugandan musician and politician. He was put into jail as he is rivaling the current president of Uganda - Yoweri Museveni. Yoweri is in power since 32 years and the people of Uganda are fed up with him. Elections are being manipulated thus many Ugandans stopped voting as they don't feel that there voice is being heard. Bobi Wine wants to be the new president and change the current situation. He has many followers who are now protesting and rioting on the streets in order to free him from jail and give him a real chance for presidency. I was vising the Gadafi Mosque in the city center, while the police shot tear gas into the protesting crowd. The crowd put car tires on fire and the situation heated up... Here is a short video showing the situation in Kampala a few days ago: https://youtu.be/o0xN_YmeesA #uganda #bobiwine #freebobiwine #velosophics #gadafimosque #city #riots #neverstopexploring #exploringuganda #bikepackinglife #adventureisoutthere #adventurelifestyle (hier: Kampala, Uganda)

Day 1: Gadafi Mosque, Kampala // The obsession of global mainstream media is to portray Muslims all too often in a negative light as violent, fanatical, bigoted, fundamentalists, and extremists. This has only allowed for society to hear and see one perspective - one story. Living in Uganda and traveling throughout Western, Southern, and Eastern Africa during this time has shown me an abundance of stories pertaining to Muslims and the Islamic faith which has drastically altered my former (very limited) perspective. I have seen nothing but love, a genuine welcoming love, from my Muslim friends and community members in a world where my own country of origin has a "leader" who has done nothing but unwelcome them. I have learned about the beautiful traditions, holidays, words, history, and facts about Islam, Arabic, and the Quran that I would have never thought possible because I had never been exposed to it. I have both woken up and fallen asleep to the breathtaking sounds of the Call to Prayer every day, where "Allah hu Akbar," or "God is great," is a soothing lullaby for me, filled with passion and joy as individuals from every walk of life gather together to pray in synchrony. Instead, most Americans hear these words and only can think of someone shouting them before committing an act of terrorism because this is all the media shows us. I am amazed by all that I have learned and will continue to learn here in Uganda. And after many years of my mom being the teacher, I finally got to take my mom to the largest mosque in Uganda, Gadafi Mosque, and her eyes finally got to see another perspective of Muslims, faith, and humanity as a whole. From the peaceful grace of the prayers around us to the soft-spoken Muslim guide before us, sharing a piece of his life and heart with us. We saw and heard another story. Love and acceptance and appreciation and forgiveness. I'm so happy to be able to have my mama bear scampering about with me for a few weeks after almost two years. So much to see/learn/hear/feel. Many more updates to come. #peacecorps #uganda #ilovemyjob #mytinyatlas #vscocam #howiseepc #gadafimosque