Monday 9th February 2015
Got up at 6:45ish- had a (very cold!)
shower and got dressed. Breakfast at 7- yum!! Cloud loaf (which has
got to be the nicest ever bread!) with jam, beans etc. (not
together!!). Then we found out we had a delay, so settled down
outside to chat and chill.
Left for the school at 10. Drove in the
van to the main road, where the students were waiting for us; there
we got out, and walked with them. I chatted to a small group of
students, which was really nice- showed off my two words of Mandinka
(hehe) and got taught a little Fula.
When we got to the school we went into
the office and waited there for a while. Then we went outside, where
the whole school had gathered for a welcoming assembly.
The assembly
consisted of dancing, speeches, introductions, dancing, a show (about
ebola), dancing- so much dancing!! Myself, AH and AA were the first
of the Gambia2015 family to go up of our own volition (though JG was
pulled up first). Then I kept being pulled up by the students and
kept pulling other people too. A couple of times all order was lost
as it became a massive dance party. It was so, so much fun: dancing
in Gambia is happiness.
After the assembly, we were in high demand to take lots and lots of pictures.
Then we had lunch,
cooked by the school. It was really lovely- chicken yassa (a
traditional Gambian dish), rice, 'gravy', a fish pasty and sweet
bread. They also provided a fizzy drink each- we were made to feel so
welcome! The food was spicy, but amazingly delicious.
Had a shop stop on the way back from
the school. Lots of people got powdered squash: I do believe I've won
this one! ;) (Last time everyone turned their noses up at my powdered
squash).
Back to the AMRC. Sorted out money,
then had time just to chat and chill and have lunch.
In the evening, we went to the market,
stopping first at a fabric shop. I was going to get some material,
but didn't in the end; however, I will go back at some point. From
there, we walked to the tailors for some people to get dresses made.
On the way I saw a nice shirt. At the tailors, those of us who
weren't getting clothes made played with the children, which was
great fun. Then we left and went home; I got the shirt I'd seen
before on the way (pictured below).
Once we got back to the AMRC, I tried
phoning home but couldn't get through. We had dinner- discovered a
great way to light up the table using our bottles, and it looks even
cooler now everyone's got coloured drinks from the powdered squash!
After that, I looked at the stars for a bit, then joined in the card
game.
Managed to get through to people at home as well, which was
good. More cards, then to bed. As AH and I were getting ready for
bed, I found a beetle and screamed very loudly. I killed it and it's
head became separated from it's body- but the head kept moving! I
screamed even more and ran into the lounge, where I curled up on the
sofa and cried/laughed. It was definitely a moment; I like to think
that I provided a short and entertaining interlude to everyone around
at the time!