AFRICA JOURNAL: From London To Uganda

23 May 2011

LONDON — Landing in Heathrow airport here late Sunday, I realized we had missed the end of the world as predicted for May 21 by some self-proclaimed Bible prophets. So, on to Uganda after all without interruption.

Heathrow is a colorful cacophony of international travelers. The variety of accents in this former world-empire locations begs the imagination to encompass the world beyond — Africa, Asia, India, Europe.

What Heathrow presents is a nearly subliminal and somewhat surrealistic gateway to a wild world “out there.” The terminal — in its self-absorbed task of diligently transporting willing wanderers to their destinations in style — really reflects where the world itself is wanting to go: opulence, comfort, materialism and a spanking-clean environment — all for a price, of course.

Rome was probably more resplendent in its day than a mere airport, but certainly no products such as these existed in Rome’s heyday. The spirit of modern Rome is here, right at Heathrow airport, parading before our eyes and ears. All we have to do now is figure out if it’s worth it to pay the price to be included in it — or is there a better way?

Patrick Butler is the editor of Resonate News. He is visiting Uganda with Parental Care Ministries, an organization dedicated to helping the country's orphans.