Visiting Barika's bestest friend!
Trip Start
Aug 31, 2005
1
72
77
Trip End
Aug 25, 2006
Zurich,
Switzerland
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
It wasn't very well planned, we were supposed to be heading to Zurich to visit Barika's bestest friend in the whole wide world, Lamin. Easyjet had a sale on for flights to Geneva. Small country, it can't be too far to Zurich we thought, and booked our £49 flights. It was a 4 hour and 330CHF (USD250!!!) big mistake on my behalf... but we survived it without much stress and no fighting. Another big step in our relationship!
Four days were spent in Zurich, staying with the lovely Alexa, Lamin's girlfriend. We journed by bus into the very seedy and atmospheric Langstrasse where we spotted the junkies, drug dealers and hagged prostitutes over beer, and where I also had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of Barika's Gambian boys in the local bar. Drinks were bought for us by the boys, and much laughter enjoyed. Later at night on two occassions we headed out to Hey Club to boogy down to the Hip Hop and Reggae.
Oh yeah, and it was still world cup time. When Brazil narrowly won their match (we were the only ones cheering on the Japan team!) there was samba on the streets by the large Brazilian community. And when Switzerland made it through to the top 16, a street party beyond belief. The whole street filled with thousands upon thousands of fans and drunkards, flags and face paint and cars and all. The town went crazy. Barika 'freed' a few soccer balls and stole himself lots of free beer. A lovely night!
And on Saturday... the finale, catching up with the International Rude Boy himself, Lamin. Lots of laughter and tears and catching up with another direct and honest Gambian boy, and the Lamin seal of approval for our relationship :)
