So I got off the ferry in Banjul and straight into darkness and hussle and bustle. ( The Gambian electricity grid, can not support the demands. So power is rotated. One area having it one day, but not the next. )
I had no idea where to head, so I headed for the street lights that were on in the distance. I'd met a couple of Gambians on the ferry, that had been really helpful. They'd given me some cheap motel addresses. But without GPS, and in pitch darkness, it was impossible to find.
It was very late, about 11 pm,it had been possibly my hardest day on the bike. It had been close to 100 degrees and very humid. I'd been riding for 15 hours. Gone through the border mayhem of Senegal/ The Gambia. And been on the most dangerous, fume filled, filthy ferry ever.Where heards of horned cows, shared the same space as bikes and cars and crowds of heavily laden people.Peeing and pooing everywhere. Whilst knocking into the sides of cars. It stank. We were all outside. P&O, all is forgiven. ;)
But I found a cheap room, with the help of a local and got my head down.( When anyone ' helps' you in Africa. 99% of the time they are making money somehow. Collecting commission from a motel later etc.) But that said, who can blame them.?
Next day I went for a beer. It had been rare in Morroco. Illegal in Mauritania. And who wants to socialise in Senegal ? (Still haven't forgiven the Customs.) Where I met some Christians. And after an hour I'd been invited to a wedding! ! I don't even go to them in the UK !! Non the less,in for penny. Off to a wedding I went. It was held in the tribal language. And occasionally English. I felt very privileged.I was even supplied an ironed shirt. I gave the tribal language a quick burst in some of the Hyms. :)) went back to the newly weds compound afterwards. Shared a bowl of rice and something leathery looking. Four pairs of hands in the bowl, squashing the rice into balls. (Got to say, I don't find the eating like this easy.)
On the down side, I did seem to be stood up when the rest of the church was sat down. And sat down when they were stood up .;)))
This is a very quick blog. As finding wi fi and electricity at the same time, has not been easy.
Past week I have serviced the bike and had a sump guard fitted. Lol. Check out the pics.
I moved out of the cheap Guest House and into a Muslim families house. One of five in a compound.
The Mandinka tribe. To sum up. I've never been treated,nor experienced such hospitality and humanity. We ate out the same bowl,four times a day. I played football with the teenagers. And was constantly surrounded by the small kids. Fatima never far from my side,pushing the other kids away. Talk about heart melting stuff. Little angels. An old lady in the compound telling me " your wife ". Pointing at Fatima. Lol. Suits me, im 45 and she's 4 !!!! ( Might finally win an argument with a female. )
My nights have been spent underneath the Lemon tree with all the men in the compound.Where there is a distinctive Jamacan theme . Wink wink. Very chilled. Alcohol isn't that popular and of course isn't meant to be drank. But Paa and Van do goto a bar a couple of times a week. But mainly its underneath the Lemon tree till 2 am smoking. Listening to reggae music.
Last night everyone from the compound had a party for me. About twenty five people, at a guess.I bought ten chickens, salade, potatoes and fanta for the kids. As a "thank you" for letting me live with them for the past week.Check the pics. Great night.
I'm leaving the Gambia right now. And am expecting problems with the Senegal Customs. As my Visa isn't multiple entry. But maybe bribery can work for me this time.
Loads of pics. Sorry this is short. Rushing before wi fi cuts out.
