Wednesday 20th
February
Last
full day in The Gambia. I'm really really
not looking forward to
going back!
Had
a bit of a lie-in, then got ready and went down for breakfast. Nice
but very minimalistic after the Farafenni breakfasts!
Went
out the first market, which was very big, though many of the stalls
were similar if not the same. The sales-people were also very
keen to sell. Scarily so, in fact. I think we all experienced having
to run away once or twice!
Loads And Loads Of Colours ^.^
Bought
last few presents: bracelets, mask, giraffe, crocodile magnets,
dress. Also a dress for myself and feel in love with the bangles: got
4 and was given 1. Everyone got a lot of stuff we didn't really need,
but it was all so nice and (with haggling) well-priced!
I Now Own The Black/Yellow Stripy Dress; Eloise Got The Grey One Next To It
Florrie
got some 'lovely' wall hangings, which are true works of tat!
Mr B And Florrie's Wall Hanging (No, She Doesn't Have A Husband)
After
we'd all spent far too
much, we went on to the wood carving market. I bought a few more
bracelets, then Eloise and I sat in the middle and had a nice chat.
We
all sat on the van to wait for the last people- during which we were
all tempted by the drums. Mr M had got one, and was playing it;
within a few minutes, we all had one!
The Big One Cost D100 (£1) And The Little One D150 (£3)- Nicole Was Not Happy!
Back
to the hotel. Down to the bar/restaurant for lunch. I sat with Anju,
Hannah and Eleanor. Once again, the food took aages.
However, it was lovely-
I had a chicken baguette which came with the typical Gambian fried,
spiced (but not spicy) onions. Going to really miss the amazing food
:(
After
lunch, we had free time. Eleanor slept in the room; I sat by the pool
(once again, unable to swim). Eloise, Nicole, Mr B, Will, Miss W,
Miss A, Mr M and Ben were all swimming/playing (some sort of)
volleyball, so I watched them as well.
Eventually,
we went back to our rooms to get ready to go our again. I had a
'feel-good' shower.
Walked
to market. We'd divided into three groups at lunch, and each was
responsible for purchasing a present for a different person out of
Morro, Lamin and Miss A. So, at the craft market, we had to get the
presents. Our group (Hannah, Anju, Eleanor and I- we worked in our
lunch table groups) had Miss A; we got her a new (African!) outfit
for Wally, her toy monkey. I also bought a really nice scarf, which
took a lot of haggling and a man who tickled me under the chin. After
I paid (D150- £3- he wanted D600, I wanted D600; I have a
'different' way of haggling where I refuse to go up, but just state
the price and see how close I can get it), he gave me a necklace,
asked me to visit him and asked for my email address. At which point,
I 'needed to get a pen and paper'. Sometimes, false pretences are the
only way to escape!
The
Lamin group were waiting for their engraved bird ('Thank You Lamin')
so we waited with them. I got into a discussion with a man with
pigtails, wherein we both quotes and sang Bob Marley.
Pigtail Guy!
We
went to find the Morro group, but they still hadn't chosen. They
eventually went for an engraved Arsenal plaque (Morro's favourite
team), which meant that the Miss A and Lamin groups had to wait aages
by the gate.
The
cutest little girl came and sat by us, so we all cooed over her. She
pretended to pour cream out of a leaf and rubbed it into my left
arm. Admittedly, lump in throat moment. Innocent kids are the
sweetest.
Also,
a woman spoke French to us. I had a very
basic conversation with her and mispronounced half of it, which made
the others laugh.
As
soon as the Morro group got back, we went to the ice cream parlour! I
had a raspberry scoop (very much like a sorbet) complete with coconut
shavings, chocolate sprinkles and chocolate sauce (the toppings were
free). A little odd but nice!
From
there we walked back along the beach again, which was very nice- I
had a really entertaining conversation with Anju and Eleanor.
Back
at the hotel it was time to pack up. We also all got ready for 'The
Last Dinner'- everyone wore their nicest stuff. I got to wear my new
(African!) dress, which I was pleased about. Eloise had got a similar
one, so she wore hers. Everyone looked really nice.
All Dressed Up
Went
to the Kora (restaurant we went to on the second night). I sat at one
end, near Eloise, Nicole, Anju, Eleanor, Will and Ben. Dinner was
very nice! I had chicken escalope, which I enjoyed.
The Last Dinner :(
After
dinner, Miss A did a mini speech and we all got presents, complete
with a funny reason: everyone received a necklace, a bracelet and a
beaded crocodile (including the boys). We also gave the gifts we'd
bought, which were all liked.
Also,
Mr B, Mr M and Miss W got a 'No Evil' monkey each. Predictably, Mr B
was 'Speak No', which was quite funny.
After
we'd eaten we went to Ali Baba's (the place we ate at on the first
night) for a little dancing and some 'special couple watching'. It
started off kind of odd; there were old people dancing, and it was
all just a bit embarrassing. After a while, however, we all decided
to get up and dance, which was vaguely fun but mainly awkward,
especially as a couple of the Gambian men attempted to be a little
touchy-feely. The best part was when there was a power cut: everyone
cheered and the stars/moon were really really bright.
After,
we went on to a nightclub called Aquarius, which was pretty much dead
until we walked in. We ended up dancing (and jumping) for what felt
like ages. It was a little surreal, but so so fun!!
Finally,
home and to be. Very very
late night!!