Day one. Am off to Sierra Leone on holiday. No matter how mnay times I tell people,even in advance - no one seems to understand why Im going to Sierra Leone. I get this look of confused bafflement. Howeever I have done my research and its merely the name. It is one of the safest countires to travel in east africa, and comparing to the FCO other places I had been (thailand, Nicaragua, Lass, India) you would much prefer this. Im guessing when Cambodia became open to tourists many moons ago, it had the same stigma attached, and it is tipped by all the guide books as the next up and coming Gambia. The parania of folk was further confirmed by the lovely BMI staff, and passangers, as it seems its very rare to encouncter a tourist to SL. Most people on the plane were there for work, and the BMI staff are not allowed to leave Lungi (small town the opposite side of river to Freetown). The British Goverment recomends no form of transport accross the river (Ferrys have sunk, helipoters crashed, no safety equipment, navigation equipment, and frequent crime and muggins on the ferrys to name a few options!).
I arrived at Lungi with my bag, plus 2 further bags that I had been collecting items for a charity from. THe charity have a contact at BMI so I could exceed my luggage allowance. Prior to this they had asked me to take a load of boxes accross in my name, as in a lot of boxes, and I was to be collected by a jeep. I felt slightly uncomfortable carrying items I had no idea what was in (could I be funding some rebel tribe / smuggling in United football shirts). Feeling guilty I declined, only more on a parania basis and from conulting friends. So instead offered to do my own fund raising. I did well, and managed to include a sowing machine (thank you Spirit Resourcing) and numerous items from my folks, brother and sister.
The womasn at BMI when I met her was like "is that all you have" - I was like (in my head) - bugger off and go chew on your waling stick (she had a walking stick).
Anyhow, I diverse....the plane was great,m not your normal plane staff,I think cuase it was not your normal tourist gang. Consequently the staff were very cheeky. I fell asleep almost immedietly (possible due to three Pernonis prior to take off - Im a nervous flier). I awake to be told I was snoring loud, and farting by the air hostess (this was confirmed by all the passangers around me, who all seemed to be enjoying the free in flight Heinekan!
On landing - I got me a a sim card (best purchase),changed some money to be rewarded with brick upon brick of money (how on earth am I to hide this in my money belt, Id technically need a small mule to carry round this amount of currency). I have travelled a bit, and no matter how much I travel,if anyone wants to scam me, its in the first 48 hours which are best. I followed a chap for a taxi, whcih was a four by four, only tpo be charged 10 dollars (for a 5 min drive, should have bneen 50p<9. <then at the window, I have 5 poeple all wanting a tip, one for finding me the car, one cause he was in the army, one cause he stamped my passport in the airport! Stupidly I paid the 10 dollars, and happily tipped my frieds for a job well done, thinking >I msy haver been shafted a little.
The Lungi Internal Hoiteòl (all of £94) is great, fairly basic but Id say about 3 stars maybe. The best side was the little bar, with 24 hour football, and the chilli con carne (which was chicken curry - Im happy with either!). I had to check with the waiter on my change, and was short changed 10 dollars, he said he forgot and meant to pay this in leones (lovely, another bundle for the mule).
The bar was fun filled, and I was asked to join the BMI cabin crew, and sat next to the captain drinking long into the night. The BMI crew have a good life, their flight out was in 3 days time, so they all have their little troutines, heading to the beach, running etc, drinking. All rather great. The captain has been going for 3 years, however thinks me merely going to free town I would have seen more than the whole crew together.
I went to sleep around 12.00 - crawled under my mosquito net with my tourch, and tried to think happy thoughts on the crossing over the river tomorrow with Yayah (my appointment Charity escort to take the gifts to the charity tomorrow).
