Friday 1 May 2015

19th April, 2015, Sunday. to the provinces


Omar arrived about 8.30 this morning to load the minibus for our travels.  Kebba fetched sandwiches for breakfast, Omar joined us for coffee, and we ate together before getting in the minibus and waving Sheila and Kebba goodbye.  A short drive to Kololi to find the other 6 waiting for us on the car park at Yashmina. We had asked for minimum luggage, 8 people, food, drink, bedding and school supplies all had to fitted into and on the minibus. Robbie was chosen to sit in the middle at the front as he is the thinnest of us all!  Chris, Joanne and I were on the back seat, Iain, Denise and Julie in the middle three.  All loaded we set off on our journey up the south bank, uneventful this morning, no monkeys even to see. A stop was scheduled at Kalagi where there are holiday lodges and a bar with cold drinks. About half way on our travels, we were all grateful for the opportunity to stretch our legs and admire the view.  The toilets unfortunately were out of action, but we managed and were promised that the plumber was on the way to fix them before our return on Tuesday.  We piled in the minibus again  and Omar drove to Soma for the ferry.  The queues!!!  Normally there is a long queue for trucks but not passenger vehicles, today the queue was horrendous. Not a good start for our 5 new travellers, it looked like a long wait.  Fortunately we had got a priority crossing for Omar, Steve went to find someone in charge, carrying the precious priority, and we were able to jump almost to the front!  Captain Sam was in charge today, easily spotted by the small umbrella he wears on his head, keeping his head cool and his arms free to direct the loading.  He saw Steve and I and explained that there had been a religious festival in Senegal and people were returning home, hence the queues today.  He asked which vehicle we were in and directed us to drive onto the waiting ferry as the last vehicle this crossing.  We must try and get him a replacement umbrella for next year! We crossed the short expanse of water to the other side, Robbie was fascinated with the pump taking the water from 
 boat over the side, the boats here are very old but still working, a bridge is being built, so let's hope they last that long!
Arriving in Farafenni we went through the usual routine, shopping at the supermarket for more cold drinks, filling the cool bag, rice and potatoes for dinner today and tomorrow.  I went into the market with Julie and Denise to buy vegetables, we were joined by our small friend, Abdoulie, who translates for me and carries the shopping for a few dalasis. More goods loaded onto the minibus, we lost our extra legroom in the back! Omar then began the last leg of the journey to Kumbija where we planned to stay the night.  Arriving at the school we were met by Baatchi the caretaker who had opened all the classrooms for us and filled all the water buckets.  Mr Sowe and some elders from the village were sat under a mango tree having Ataya, the sweet tea together.  The new solar borehole is finished, the tower stands tall and proud at the end of the playground. Three taps have been run from it, the first near the tower to water the new garden area, the second outside the kitchen for the cook to use and the third in the existing ladies garden. The boxes from the roof were unloaded and put into one of the classrooms and we joined Mr Sowe and the others, taking a cold drink with us. I had a short meeting with Mr Sowe, showing him the supplies we had brought and discussing the plans for the summer.  We then began the task of blowing up the airbeds and sorting out who was sleeping where tonight.  Robbie proved a big help on the pump, whilst Steve and Iain sorted the mosquito nets.  The bedding was sorted, the shower arrangements discussed and before we knew it it was time to shower before dark. Christine had brought some mosquito nets for Baatchi and his family and went with the other ladies to visit him in his home to take photos. Showering complete we sat round the table in the playground and waited for our dinner. Usually Alagie, Ousmans brother brings dinner on his motorbike, but he is one of many who have gone to Libya to try and reach Europe.  Foolish man, leaving his wife and small daughter behind, he told no one until he rang from Mali on the way.  Who knows what will happen to him. Fatou and Kaddy arrived with two lovely bowls of food prepared for us and we ate under the stars before retiring to bed.  Steve and I said our goodbyes to Fatou who had waited whilst we ate, Omar took them back in the truck as he is staying with them tonight.  And so to bed, surprisingly comfortable I slept like a log.boat over the side, the boats here are very old but still working, a bridge is being built, so let's hope they last that long!
Arriving in Farafenni we went through the usual routine, shopping at the supermarket for more cold drinks, filling the cool bag, rice and potatoes for dinner today and tomorrow.  I went into the market with Julie and Denise to buy vegetables, we were joined by our small friend, Abdoulie, who translates for me and carries the shopping for a few dalasis. More goods loaded onto the minibus, we lost our extra legroom in the back! Omar then began the last leg of the journey to Kumbija where we planned to stay the night.  Arriving at the school we were met by Baatchi the caretaker who had opened all the classrooms for us and filled all the water buckets.  Mr Sowe and some elders from the village were sat under a mango tree having Ataya, the sweet tea together.  The new solar borehole is finished, the tower stands tall and proud at the end of the playground. Three taps have been run from it, the first near the tower to water the new garden area, the second outside the kitchen for the cook to use and the third in the existing ladies garden. The boxes from the roof were unloaded and put into one of the classrooms and we joined Mr Sowe and the others, taking a cold drink with us. I had a short meeting with Mr Sowe, showing him the supplies we had brought and discussing the plans for the summer.  We then began the task of blowing up the airbeds and sorting out who was sleeping where tonight.  Robbie proved a big help on the pump, whilst Steve and Iain sorted the mosquito nets.  The bedding was sorted, the shower arrangements discussed and before we knew it it was time to shower before dark. Christine had brought some mosquito nets for Baatchi and his family and went with the other ladies to visit him in his home to take photos. Showering complete we sat round the table in the playground and waited for our dinner. Usually Alagie, Ousmans brother brings dinner on his motorbike, but he is one of many who have gone to Libya to try and reach Europe.  Foolish man, leaving his wife and small daughter behind, he told no one until he rang from Mali on the way.  Who knows what will happen to him. Fatou and Kaddy arrived with two lovely bowls of food prepared for us and we ate under the stars before retiring to bed.  Steve and I said our goodbyes to Fatou who had waited whilst we ate, Omar took them back in the truck as he is staying with them tonight.  And so to bed, surprisingly comfortable I slept like a log.

No comments:

Post a Comment