Cape Point Hotel Bakau

... this base was what we were looking for in terms of location but far from comfortable so we kept busy by going out and about a lot. <br><br>We wandered around the coastal villages and soaked up some sun, sea of sand, still relieved to leave the resorts at the end of the day due to the hassle they harbour but having a relaxing time together. It is tiresome telling the same stories to touts intent on taking your time and ...

... zu zeigen. Chris und ich haben ihn gest**n besucht und ** machte einen wirklich netten und lustigen Eindruck, auch wenn ** wie ein Wass**fall redet. Koennte also aufregend w**den. =) In diesem Sinne, Brisko PS: Wann ich endlich einige mein** unzaehligen Bild** hochladen kann, weiss nur d** liebe Gott. Eine Moeglichkeit wa**e vielleicht das Wochenende, wenn Chris und Binta sich einen Laptop und eventuell Int**net zulegen w**den. Ab** nur vielleicht. Chris pflegt es so zu sagen... "Dis is Africa."

... 16 months, and have in the interim, let's face it, been a rubbish correspondent. I did some really cool stuff. There were moments (when I was at a concert in the Millennium Dome for example, wandering around modern art exhibitions, or supping afternoon tea in front of a roaring fire in a stately home - that's RIGHT people, I AM a lady of culture and sophistication) that my mind would just splinter and I found it ...

... as their teachers do with them. Just listening to the way these students talk you can begin to see traces of this training. They tend to speak in a formal, structured format: addressing their audience, introducing themselves, listing their topics , and ending with a very general, prescriptive statement. In many ways these ca be very valuable, and there have been many times that I've been quite impressed by the presence some Gambian students have when they talk. But at the same time, I ...

... as their teachers do with them. Just listening to the way these students talk you can begin to see traces of this training. They tend to speak in a formal, structured format: addressing their audience, introducing themselves, listing their topics , and ending with a very general, prescriptive statement. In many ways these ca be very valuable, and there have been many times that I've been quite impressed by the presence some Gambian students have when they talk. But at the same time, I ...

... there.. and when I mention the days plans I am met with congratulations and encouragement. Conversation always revolves around where you are from, football teams, impressions of the country, marital status, job. Once these formalities are over with I then start tapping them for information. Their job, family, business here, schooling, local information and difficulties they face in life. Back on the road, I had puncture ...

... way of getting caffeine, provides a very telling contrast to the way Americans tend to get their own caffeine intake: a hurried, venti-coffee-on-the-go that you grab as you speed to work or school. Time passes surprisingly quickly like this, and you may not even realize what time it is until the call to prayer again begins to sound at 5pm. This is usually a good sign that it is time to wander back home, pray, and prepare for dinner, keeping an eye on the sunset, waiting for ...

... I'd been taught to end a socc** game with. I guess you must accept cultural relativity, but I really couldn't help but think this und**tone of violence showed a lack of respect for the sport as a whole, and spoiled much of what had been great about the game. Eith** way, though, it was an amazing, fun exp**ience to sit th**e and che** in the stands, clearly a tubab and yet in the midst of something so Gambian, and the rest was an undeniably int**esting exp**ience. Cultural ...

So it's been almost a year since I arrived in The Gambia. As my VSO placement wound its way to a close, I've been doing a lot of reflecting on the last 12 months. I can't believe it's been a whole year since I was saying goodbye to friends and family, suffering countless inoculations, and trying to wrestle my luggage into one bag. Looking back at the forms I filled out to apply for VSO in the first place, I'm amused by some of the things I said I ...

... fact about the country - it possesses only one set of traffic lights, making them somewhat of a novelty value, even a photo-opportunity for the easily amused tourist. This anecdote is no longer strictly accurate as there are now other traffic light sets around (if rarely switched on) but the founding set of lights still remain fondly in local people's affections and have acquired almost cult status. I now live right beside this national treasure and have come to hate and ...