About nothing in particular.....
on Carole Green (Sierra Leone), 24/May/2010 22:50, 34 days ago
I couldnt figure out a theme this week so here are some random thoughts and observations in no particular order that leave me happy, sad, curious and other emotions…....Children work so hard here, from being so young. Saw a child no more than 8 trying to balance a huge barrel of water on his head this morning at Kenema Hospital and he would have managed it too, if it hadn’t been dripping all over him. I assume he wasn’t in school, you have to pay (and it costs about a months salary at least for most, that’s if the parents have a jobThe rains are coming and when it does rain, its like god pouring buckets of water on the earth!Inanimate objects have more importance here. My trusty laptop, coupled with mobile internet is my lifeline (thanks Adam) and this technology seems at odds in a country where water and electricity are constantly a challenge for most citizens (including me!)Poverty and suffering is all around every day but yet, this is very far from a depressing placePeople are incredibly stylish here (not me obviously) and you see women come out of corrugated iron shacks looking like a million dollars.The money smells terrible and is a main source of cross infection, although new money has just been released and there are funny posters telling people not to put the money in their underwear, write on it or fold it wrongly!!Many people talk about their experiences of the war and there are so many accounts. Its like an enormously complex 3d jigsaw puzzle to me. But there are some commonalities in the stories which I am trying to piece together. Certainly everyone I talk to are proud that their country is once again safe and peaceful90% of the vehicles are not roadworthy in my humble opinion. I almost got out of a taxi the other day when I realised that the terrible noise was the back axle scrapping on the groundOnly about 30% of the population here are literate, but this doesn't stop the eloquent debate about Politics and Football in equal measure!Great French type bread, fresh warm and incredibly cheapWonderful beaches and great coastline yet most Saloneans don’t seem to be able to swim, of have even visited most of the beaches south of Lakka (ie gone more than about 10 miles out of Freetown)Amazing religious tolerance. Predominant religions are Christian and Muslim. Inter marriage is quite usual as is joint prayers at the start of meetings. Religion plays an important part of society. Churches and Mosques are full and everyone dresses up for the occasionPeople have the most fantastic smiles!!A weeks worth of drinking water, is very very heavy to carry home!Everyone hold hands with each other, including the menYou have to take time to greet people and this does extend the time it takes to do anything! However I have stopped noticing this in favour of enjoying the social interaction, its become part of my job!Entertainment of public posters! Apparently one down town in a photography shop read 'we shoot you while you wait'There are the most amazing electrical storms!The local Star beer is actually quite good and I good do with one now, writing is thirsty work!