Mum and Dad’s Visit
on Shona in Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone), 12/Feb/2011 14:25, 34 days ago
I’ve had a lovely few weeks as Mum and Dad braved the “Battle of Lungi” (as my Dad nicknamed it – the epic journey to get to Freetown from the airport in Lungi) to come and visit. It was brilliant having them here and we had a very busy two weeks (punctuated by them having time to swim, chillout and generally do nothing in air-conditioning!).Burn’s Supper(Warning - This is the I love IMATT and anyone in a uniform paragraph).Mum, Dad and I were invited to wonderful IMATT for Burn’s Supper. Dad kindly agreed to play his electronic bagpipes to pipe in the haggis, which was much appreciated by all. I’ve never seen so much haggis, neeps and tatties all on one plate (we also had a starter of prawn bruschetta, a trifle for pudding and biscuits and cheese (REAL cheese – notlaughing cow) with coffee!). We also had the usual traditional poetry readings, and a fantastic Immortal Memory and Toast to the Lassies. As usual everyone was incredibly hospitable and a very fine night had by all.Banana IslandThe morning after we went off to Banana Islands. Actually three islands named Dublin, Rickets and Mes Mieux in the shape of a banana. We met lots of people from Freetown and had lots of time to catch up, read, swim in the Atlantic, eat yummy Atlantic fish and“lobster” (its actually crayfish) and drink illicit wine (from the duty free shop in Heathrow). We also got invited to a “Secret Society” meeting with a scary Dancing Devil (strange cultural aspect of SL – no foreign person actually understands these Secret Societies and the people who dress up in strange outfits so they are unidentifiable and dance around to collect money from people). It was quite bizarre – clearly not put on for the tourists – and everyone was drunk on palm wine and Guinness so we retreated back to the guesthouse.While I was at work decompressing tension pneumothoraces and teaching resuscitation skills, Mum and Dad went to Tacugama Chimp Sanctuary for a night and Bunce Island with Freya and her Mum and godmother. They also got a chance to visit the hospital and appreciate the“interesting” journey we get to make every day (“Interesting” is the word Dad chose to describe SL whenever anyone asked him what he thought of it – which I translated into “crazy, mad, undecipherable, hot, sticky, slow, busy, amazing, friendly, dusty, mad, mad, mad….!)Makeni and KabalaThe following weekend we took a long drive up-country to visit Makeni and Kabala. We stayed in MJ’s Motel – where David Beckham stayed in SL, no less – and had a good tour of Makeni courtesy of Cheryl. Next day we drove up through some very impressive scenery (mountains appearing out of nowhere!) to Kabala, where we visited Connie and Lavan, two British VSO GPs who’ve just arrived. We had a great wander around the town (too hot and not enough time to go climbing the hills – but I’d love to go back) and for a drink in Choices Restaurant (dubiously named – I don’t think there is much choice in Kabala!) Thanks to all the VSOs for showing us around your towns!The following week they spent chilling out at Country Lodge and Hamilton Beach and I was mucho impressed with their new-found abilities to get a taxi into town AND back again. It is quite an effort to do ANYTHING here so to do this journey is really quite something.Celebrations!In the meantime Sandra picked up seven new oxygen concentrators for the hospital and Mum and Dad had taken out a new water pump with them– meaning we had a celebratory day delivering new gifts (and hopefully in the long term will save more lives with clean hands and a higher FiO2!) We also had some lovely meals out, including a great meal with Cat and the Welbodi’s at Mamba Point!I realise it is a massive effort to come here and to be here (SL is not set up for tourists in any way, shape or form) so thank you so much for coming and for all the presents you brought out and for all the lovely protein meals, real cheese and the pint of milk!