Saturday 28 February 2015

23rd February, 2015 Monday. To Naata and Banjul


The wind has got up again, bringing fine sand from the Sahara, covering everything in a layer of dust.  Fontou, the lady who cleans for us is fighting a losing battle, but trying to keep the dust under control.  We leave her battling the elements and head out.
Our first port of call this morning is Naata nursery school with boxes donated by Windhill C of E school in Bradford.  We arrive at the school and are met by the caretaker, Ibraima, coming to ask us how Steve’s foot is.  Ibraima had a hernia operation in April last year just before we left and it seems that he is fully recovered, but not lifting things quite as heavy as before.  Classes are taking place and we just put our head round the door and greet each of the teachers in turn.  Ibraima helped Steve unload the boxes and we open them for the staff to see what we have brought.  Mr Jallow arrived a little later and we had a short meeting with him about the school.  Class sizes have been reduced this year, they had grown to unmanageable levels last year.  Abi is back teaching after her second baby which is being minded by Ibraima’s wife.  We had a photo taken with Mr Jallow and Yorro who has grown and is now attending the Upper Basic school just near Naata and had arrived on the back of the motorbike with him.  A list of requirements is drawn up and then we leave.
We had an email reminding us that we had not paid the port for the container in December, so we then head to Banjul to sort that out.  Ousman has been in touch and asked us to call and see him when we are there.  Everywhere is still quiet, very few tourists, and so very few taxis on the road, the journey to Banjul is quicker than usual.  We arrive at the new National Assembly Building and ring Ousman to let him know we have arrived.  We are invited into the foyer, a first, we never went into the old building, we used to wait on the road outside for him.  The building is new, enormous, stylish and air conditioned.  We have a long discussion sat on a very comfortable sofa in reception, interrupted by various of his colleagues coming to see who we are.  We agree to get a letter for the port authority, discuss future plans and arrange to meet him on Wednesday evening for dinner with his new second wife.
A short drive then takes us to the shipping office where we get a copy of the invoice and head off on foot to the bank to get the money.  We stop for a late lunch at Ali Babas café in Banjul on the way to the bank.  We collect the money and then take a taxi back to the shipping office where we pay and collect the truck to drive home, even though we drive through the main tourist areas the roads are still quiet with many taxis parked at the side waiting for clients who do not arrive. Many of the hotels and restaurants have closed or open for shorter hours than normal.  Staff have been reduced, sometimes by a third to try and save money.
We spend the rest of the evening at home, watching another film with Kebba.

No comments:

Post a Comment