Coming and Going
on Lynn Sellwood (The Gambia), 16/Aug/2010 12:12, 34 days ago
Preparing!First, the leaving. To say the last few days leading to 12th August was traumatic is pretty much an understatement. There were the sheer number of jobs (the lists, the lists!) and the weight of belongings to store or give away and I did not find it any easier to do as time pressed on. I think I had finally realised what I was going to do and it felt impossible and to be honest I started to doubt whether it was what I wanted. I was going to leave all my comforts, family, friends and security behind.The party, what a wonderful affair, I loved it. To be with friends and family on a sunny summer’s day was just the boost I needed. They clearly believed I could do this brave thing I had set myself. I am particularly grateful to Sam, who made fairy cakes; Robin, who cooked and served the food; Jane and Stewart for the domino table and Lois, Lorraine and Julie for all the help in preparation. I want to mention Andrew too, who has remained calm throughout and has been an absolute rock, encouraging me and telling me off where necessary.The Fairy CakesMonday was goodbye to my parents and my last roast dinner. Thanks to Jack and William for making me laugh and yes you will have your African lounge suits when I return. And then it was Thursday morning, having had my hair done and my legs waxed and everything finally into two suitcases and standing at Heathrow with 12 perfect strangers.The arriving......nothing can prepare you for YumDum Airport in Banjul. The noise, smells and general chaos. I was stopped by customs and asked to go into a side room with my luggage. Once inside, after a delay to find the key, I was asked to open my cases and give the official all my sweets and biscuits! He had obviously seen me and thought I was the fattest and therefore the most likely. On inspection it was clear that I had a case full of deet products and shoes and I was free to go.Anyhow, my heart was in my mouth as we travelled a tarmac but dusty road to our hotel. I was not convinced that any of what I saw would be comfortable or familiar very soon and I had another attack of doubt (Paul Pennyfeather style). What has happened in the last few days? The strangers are now my friends, the hotel owner, Geri is fantastic, she and her husband run the Safari Garden Hotel and are developing an eco tourist resort atSandele. She and her husband also are involved with eco construction projects and are helping to raise funds to build the first theatre in The Gambia. So those of you with responsible tourism, eco friendly building or theatre interests are very welcome!Safari Garden HotelI have travelled in a minibus where the door fell off in transit, I have found two internet cafes, survived humid night heat under a mosquito net, two long electricity outages and a water failure for 8 hours. I have been to church and met the Bishop of Banjul and a missionary lady called Margaret who works for USPG. ( A local guy said he was expecting a golfer!) I have read my first book and passed it on, watched Arsenal in an ex-pat bar, eaten local food, and listened to local music.Looking forward, we have the visit to the Medical Centre today and the rest of the week will see me moving into my house, shopping and equipping it; meeting my employer and discussing my role as well as starting to learn Wollof. So, no pressure there then!I expect Sype addresses to arrive in my email or comments box and by the way I have achieved my£900 VSO fundraising target!