African Village Hotel Bakau

After an expensive splurge in Dakar, we decided to opt for cheap and cheerful accomodation at the oh so obscure YMCA in Serrekunda. Sent on a wild goose chase by the locals who as in India refuse to admit they are unaware of directions to ANY destination, we eventually ended up in a basic but respectable room in the centre of The Gambia's biggest town. Ten minutes drive away from the resorts and so removed from the touts and ...

... to me as we made our way south. We spent the single most seedy and sickening night at The Barra Hotel/brothel/hell hole before hopping on a ferry for the capital of The Gambia. <br><br>Got an amazing Lebanese breakfast of falafel that made me feel human again and off we went to see Serrekunda, not far from the capital but apparently a hive of activity.<br><br>XXX <br><br> <br>

So, for three weeks I was in the UK, the first time I have been back since I left in September 2006. I had a wonderful time at home spending time with family and friends. I ran around like a headless chicken and didn't get to see everyone I would like to, or enough time with the people I did see. I was repeatedly touched at the efforts lots of people went to, to meet up with me despite the face I have been absent for the ...

... able to copy it off of the blackboard.) Something interesting happens when students reach higher levels of education, especially those who score high enough on standardized tests to go on to senior secondary school,(10th to 12th grade) and maybe even (though rarely) have the test scores and money to attend college (which focuses more on practical training for select professions) or university. Students are at this point encouraged to begin to speak with the same confidence and ...

... able to copy it off of the blackboard.) Something interesting happens when students reach higher levels of education, especially those who score high enough on standardized tests to go on to senior secondary school,(10th to 12th grade) and maybe even (though rarely) have the test scores and money to attend college (which focuses more on practical training for select professions) or university. Students are at this point encouraged to begin to speak with the same confidence and ...

... and dishes. All the cooking is done using a large gas bottle stove on the ground. Meals are usually charged by the number of eggs used and a charge levied on extras, such as potato and mayo. A fast and uncharacteristically efficient operation! The best thing about these places is the conversation. People are a bit shy to talk to you, but once you strike up a conversation they are very friendly and curious about what you are ...

... down two cards instead of once, playing the wrong suit and seeing if anyone notices, hiding cards, and generally taking advantage of any diversion to get cards you want or get rid of cards you don't want.) If it weren't Ramadan, someone would have invariably rolled by with a small teapot and coals to make attaya: a slow-brewing, strong, sugary form of green tea that comes in shot form and usually gets passed around a group as they sit and chat. This slow, deliberate ...

... in a slightly creepy way, and, among curses, that "these ******** came onto our field and thought they could beat us; I'm gonna kill them, I'm going to beat the **** out of them." Outside of the stadium people w**e screaming, riding around in cars and blasting music. One of the Gambians we w**e with said that this wasn't bad; he usually didn't go to games because you risked looting and riots if they lost. Let's just say it was much diff**ent than the ord**ly exchange of ...

... s always somewhere making some improvement around the house. he seems to know how to do everything or know someone who can do it. I feel much safer knowing he's there. I wanted to mention these people partly just to make it clear that my smooth transition here has not been because of my own fortitude, but partly because of the people and set-up of this program, and mostly because of the ability of Gambians to be so welcoming, friendly, and caring in a way that amazes me in some way at least everyday.

... experience of the latter when she had a lock of her blonde hair cut off in the market by a bold stranger. She solved the situation by pointing at the hair and shouting "bad JuJu". Said offender dropped it like a stone and scarpered, scared out of his wits. In the interest of learning from other cultures, I have decided I am going to commission myself a JuJu against the evil that is Gambian traffic. Before I left the UK, I can remember one of my friends telling me a well ...