17.12.13 Tuesday. Another Gambian experience.

First thing this morning we went to the bank to get the deposit out for the truck should it prove to be ‘the one’.  Steve then set off to meet Musa and I returned home on the local transport.  This is a real Gambian experience for those of you who never venture outside the hotel, a Gelleh bus is usually a converted van from Europe which has failed it’s MOT.  This morning was no exception, although the standard of the seats was worse than normal, metal frames with a small well used piece of sponge balanced precariously between the frame.  I was one of the first to climb in and secured a seat behind the driver on a bench for three with two gentlemen.  The seat behind had a very well dressed man, minding his own business with his headphones in his ears.  The next occupant to arrive was a lady with a baby and a small toddler; she tried to climb in with the sleeping baby over her shoulder, but the roof was too low, she handed the still sleeping baby to me whilst she climbed in when I handed it back.  The toddler took the next seat in the row of three; there was then some discussion between the conductor and herself, the outcome being that the conductor wanted the toddler to sit on mum’s knee.  The lady turned to the man next to her and without a word handed the baby to him to mind.  He sat with a startled look on his face all the way down the road, holding the child at arms length.  I returned home and spent the rest of the morning doing the charity accounts and this months wages.  Steve spent an enjoyable day test driving the new truck, driving around with the mechanic trying to find sand deep enough to get the truck stuck and test the 4 wheel drive.  Boys and their toys.  Apparently they struggled to find anywhere that the truck couldn’t cope with, a good sign.  Musa inspected the truck inside and out, underneath and the engine thoroughly and gave it the thumbs up – so we have a new truck!

Steve returned all excited at the prospect of the new vehicle, which we have to pay for tomorrow from our donation.  He had also met Momodou, Mr Jallow’s son and gone to the pharmacy with him as Momodou has been unwell and attended the clinic this afternoon.  Momodou stayed long enough to charge his mobile phone and then made his way back home.  We decided to go out for dinner to celebrate the new vehicle and walked around to Neil’s bar for the evening.