Things I really like about Freetown
on Shona in Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone), 17/Jan/2011 07:40, 34 days ago
1) The climate (okay sometimes it’s a bit TOO hot – but I prefer it to the cold).2) Our balcony– with a great view of the sea and the rest of Freetown, its so tranquil (when you get used to the dogs, and the call to prayer) and cool, and the perfect place for reading, eating, drinking and blogging.3) How, although TIA (this is Africa) some things are remarkably easy to sort out. Take for example when we ran out of gas a couple of weeks ago. One phonecall to the gas man and he was around with a new gas canister in about half an hour. I’m not sure you would get this service in the UK. (Clearly this doesn’t apply to all things, and many things are MUCH harder to do).4) The UN pool– another place of tranquillity.5) The amazing fruits including pineapple, bananas (4 for 15p today), paw paw, mangoes, watermelon, oranges and grapefruit.6) The way that the coconut sellers expertly machete off the top so you can drink the water inside, then machete them in half and scoop out the meat for you to eat. All for 15p.7) Blissful lunches and brunches in Bliss Patisserie.8) Meeting such interesting and inspiring people– Saloneans and ex-pats alike. There are some unbelievably dedicated staff at the hospital who are truly awesome (I am using this word in its correct meaning Andy). More on these people in a later blog.9) Dinners at Mamba Point– particularly the salad, pizzas and fish carpaccio. And Real Red Wine. And the company there is always good.10) Barracuda or lobster at the beach. Yum.11) The walk down the alley beside our house (aptly nicknamed“sewer alley”) where we say “Ow di bodi?” to everyone including Sidney and his Mum who owns a shop, Mussa who owns another shop, the little kids getting bathed and dressed, the older kids cooking on the open fires, the old lady who is always so friendly, the carpenters busily making beds, chairs and tables, the girls getting their hair done in amazing hairdo’s and I noticed, one on her laptop this morning! (it’s a strange world this one, where running water and electricity are luxuries for many, but I get mobile internet which – when its working well – works anywhere).12)“I tell God Tenki.” This is the answer to “how is your child today?” when the child is better. Mother’s intuition is great, and they really are truly thankful. So many children die in the hospital (1 child in 5 dies before the age of five years in this country) that it really is wonderfulwhen the children get better.