This week has been a busy week for us preparing for Christmas and managing to fit in some sight seeing of the local area. On Monday we visited Serrekunda market with the intention to buy presents for Paul and he to buy for me we decided to set a sum of only £25. Arriving early we parked up and walked the rest of the way into the main market area and were soon looking amongst the stalls at shoes, shirts and flip flops. Two hours later we had both bought a number of items for each other so we made our way home.
On Tuesday we decided to visit Kabafita forest near to Brikama we set off nice and early however this was hindered when we were pulled over by the police as Paul had answered his phone whilst driving something he never does back in the UK but here the locals do it all the time, it seems one rule for the Gambians another for the Europeans. The officer wanted us to pay a fine of 2000 dalasi and had taken Paul’s papers I was adamant that if we were to pay a fine we were doing it at the police station where we would receive a receipt. There are too many corrupt people and until people decide to do this instead of giving lower figure backhanders there will always be some corruption within the country. An hour later we were no further forward and Paul was now out of the car talking to the police officer at this point I decided to phone the VSO Office, after speaking to Nuha he said he was on his way. I decided to walk the short distance to Wishes gift store to keep the children amused, two hours later Paul turned up saying he had been let off after a lot of grovelling by Nuha. Back on route we finally arrived at Brikama just before midday we ate a picnic lunch and then started walking into the forest area hoping to see some wildlife. After a two hour walk and not having seen anything we arrived at the craft market we quickly looked around as Bradley wanted to buy Abigail a key ring for Christmas we then walked back to the car and headed for home.
Wednesday morning was spent at La Parissienne for me and Bradley whilst Paul and Abigail took Tom and Lynne out to Kotu stream to do some bird spotting. We were all back home for lunch the bird spotting had been very successful Abigail was able to tick off in her book some different birds.
Thursday morning was spent food shopping and finishing off final preparations for tomorrow however it wasn’t the usual mad rush like back at home. On the evening we have been invited to Max’s for Christmas evening celebrations along with other volunteers. We decided to take the car and gave a lift to Tom, Lynne and Emma, and guess what we were stopped by the police yet again. Following the car in front we thought the officer had waved us on however we had been mistaken he was giving right of way to the left so he was complaining that we had nearly caused an accident. After a lot of talking, Paul biting his lip and Tom being told to shut up by a sixteen year old officer as he could be arrested for interfering we were finally back on our way. As we passed the Africell building they had displayed outside a huge Christmas tree and banners. We arrived at Max’s and were welcomed with the usual array of food for us all to enjoy. Not all the volunteers were there as some had gone home for Christmas or had family visiting so were spending the evening at some plush hotel. The food was delicious as usual and Max had managed to get his landlady to make beef domada which was so tender however the bowl could have fed an army, it was huge. Max had also invited some Gambian family’s including some young children one of which decided to play with Bradley’s bat and ball set to his annoyance he set about following her waiting for it to be put down. Angela managed to pull out Abigail’s loose tooth much to her pleasure as now the tooth fairy would also be visiting this evening. We left for home at 8.30pm the children quickly changed into their pj’s and we put a plate of snowman biscuits we had made and a carrot out for Santa and Rudolf then it was off to bed for two very tired children. Once a sleep we started to put the presents around the tree and fill the stockings before we finally made our way to bed.
On Tuesday we decided to visit Kabafita forest near to Brikama we set off nice and early however this was hindered when we were pulled over by the police as Paul had answered his phone whilst driving something he never does back in the UK but here the locals do it all the time, it seems one rule for the Gambians another for the Europeans. The officer wanted us to pay a fine of 2000 dalasi and had taken Paul’s papers I was adamant that if we were to pay a fine we were doing it at the police station where we would receive a receipt. There are too many corrupt people and until people decide to do this instead of giving lower figure backhanders there will always be some corruption within the country. An hour later we were no further forward and Paul was now out of the car talking to the police officer at this point I decided to phone the VSO Office, after speaking to Nuha he said he was on his way. I decided to walk the short distance to Wishes gift store to keep the children amused, two hours later Paul turned up saying he had been let off after a lot of grovelling by Nuha. Back on route we finally arrived at Brikama just before midday we ate a picnic lunch and then started walking into the forest area hoping to see some wildlife. After a two hour walk and not having seen anything we arrived at the craft market we quickly looked around as Bradley wanted to buy Abigail a key ring for Christmas we then walked back to the car and headed for home.
Wednesday morning was spent at La Parissienne for me and Bradley whilst Paul and Abigail took Tom and Lynne out to Kotu stream to do some bird spotting. We were all back home for lunch the bird spotting had been very successful Abigail was able to tick off in her book some different birds.
Thursday morning was spent food shopping and finishing off final preparations for tomorrow however it wasn’t the usual mad rush like back at home. On the evening we have been invited to Max’s for Christmas evening celebrations along with other volunteers. We decided to take the car and gave a lift to Tom, Lynne and Emma, and guess what we were stopped by the police yet again. Following the car in front we thought the officer had waved us on however we had been mistaken he was giving right of way to the left so he was complaining that we had nearly caused an accident. After a lot of talking, Paul biting his lip and Tom being told to shut up by a sixteen year old officer as he could be arrested for interfering we were finally back on our way. As we passed the Africell building they had displayed outside a huge Christmas tree and banners. We arrived at Max’s and were welcomed with the usual array of food for us all to enjoy. Not all the volunteers were there as some had gone home for Christmas or had family visiting so were spending the evening at some plush hotel. The food was delicious as usual and Max had managed to get his landlady to make beef domada which was so tender however the bowl could have fed an army, it was huge. Max had also invited some Gambian family’s including some young children one of which decided to play with Bradley’s bat and ball set to his annoyance he set about following her waiting for it to be put down. Angela managed to pull out Abigail’s loose tooth much to her pleasure as now the tooth fairy would also be visiting this evening. We left for home at 8.30pm the children quickly changed into their pj’s and we put a plate of snowman biscuits we had made and a carrot out for Santa and Rudolf then it was off to bed for two very tired children. Once a sleep we started to put the presents around the tree and fill the stockings before we finally made our way to bed.
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