old tiger's Blog

Before noon..we went to the supermarket to buy something..
we found it appropriate to present some kind of gift to the family
we were gonna visit..supermarkets and shops in Africa are often
run by either Libanese or Indian settlers...I'm not very sure??
but I believe the name of the supermarket was Chellarams??
we bought some flowers..and some little stuff as well..
so Fatou's husband...picked us up by car..they lived around Banjul..
let's say a 15 min .drive from Banjul town...reaching there..
it was getting dark..surprisingly Fatou lived in an extended family..
http://www.accessgambia.com/informat...relations.html
it was a large compound..with a courtyard..and several of her aunts
and uncles..occupied that living space..they all came to welcome us..
I must say I felt bit awkward in the beginning..what to talk about??
most of the aunts only spoke local language..so how to break the ice??
these ladies were very curious about the whereabouts of my wife.
in that compound there was no electricity..so Fatou served us some dish..
rice+vegetables..which we were eating with the shine of candles in our faces..
it was really nice to experience this..stepping into a culture??
the aunts were dressed in very colourfull African dresses..and some head
turban like things..like only African woman can wear them...
they were mostly smiling..giggling..and very curious...
in the beginning they were bit shy..but after food was served..
they all watched us eat..if one respects someone's cultural habits..
it's very much appreciated..they were Muslims..
the evening went by quick..we thanked everybody..
they were impressed..that we had the guts to visit them..
they liked the flowers..so....we were driven back by car...
by Fatou's husband...our Gambia visit was over..
next day..back to Dakar..by taxi brousse again..hot..stuffy..difficult..
Tiger

so..Banjul..nothing terrific as a town to visit..
a church..some restaurants..supermarkets..
and an interesting bazaar..in fact 3 nights was too much..
we were able to arrange it with the hotel..
to stay 2 nights only..they did not mind..
we wandered around a bit through the Banjul center..
went into a supermarket..and met a local chick called Fatou..
my wife wanted to visit an African family..to see how they live..
Fatou was so nice to invite us for food next day.
her husband was working in the harbour...he would pick us up by car..
for the rest..too hot in Banjul..at night some funny anectdote..
middle of the night..knock on our door..some lady selling her favors..
she was surprised to see my wife opening the door..
she replied..sorry..no lady wanted..uhuh..
Banjul hookers are quite daring..next morning we saw her in the lobby..
she acted as a selling lady..in fact she was a hooker..ahah..
the food in this hotel..was nothing to write home about..
Gambia would be nice..if we should have had more time..
going along the Gambia river..must be nice flora and fauna...
no doubt about that..anyway..you can't have all of it..
Tiger

Banjul(Gambia)was about 300kms??they told us 5 hours by car..
we did bit more over that..these Peuguot cars..first must get fully loaded..
then they start..very funny..to sit with these Senegalese locals..
for a ride to M'bour..again waiting..a ride to Kaolack..again waiting..
a ride to Barra ferry..then into Gambia..Banjul..it was a hot difficult ride..
the driver..was a nice dude...avoiding potholes on the road??
busy bus stations..dust..heat and noise...reminded me of India a lot..
we reached Barra on the Gambia river..had to take a bac=ferry..
it's always an adventure taking a ferry in Africa..
I remembered the Rosso ferry..or Dakar-Gor?? island..
finally..we reached Banjul..first impression..another currency.
1 dalasi=100 butut..Mandink? is the biggest etnological group here..
we booked 3 nights in a hotel..rather O.K..not too much luxury..
I'll tell you folks later about Gambia..let's see if I can find a link..
http://www.visitthegambia.gm/

Tiger

N'Gor is a village west from Yoff airport..famous for its beach..
the route from Dakar was done by bus..we passed Yoff..
mainly a fishers's community=L?bou tribe..I think I told somewhere
in my journal about the N'deup cermonies=bit like a voodoo session..
they often get into trance..drive out evil spirits etc..black Africa..boohh...
Yoff is known for these ceremonies..did never witnessed anything like that..
N'gor itself is known for holiday hotels..excellent location on Cap Vert..
tourism in full boom...restaurants,dancing,private beaches..the whole shit..
we aimed for N'gor island..we had to take a *chaloupe*
it was a very short crossing..this little island got a very nice sand beach..
we took a swim..I recall it was very hot that day..
we were constantly bothered by African ladies selling pineapples,mango's etc..
they carried their wares on their head...a typical African picture.
stupid me..I did not put any sun protection..we had a nice swim..
very funny was that little tiny fish pricked you constantly..very funny..
result of my stupidity..when we returned to Teranga hotel..I could not even
take a shower..I was burnt like a lobster..next day..we got some lotion..
next time..I'll put sun cream..very close to N'gor is the most western point
of Africa..called *Pointe des Almadies*the wild Atlantic ocean..awww..
next day..we were gonna take a taxi brousse to Barra...then Banjul..
that's in Gambia..a country between Dakar and the Casamance..
I'll tell you peeps about my adventures towards Gambia..

We took some transport towards l'Embarcad?re..ferry for Gor?e..
got our return ticket..the crossing to the island took about 30 min..
busy with tourists...cool breeze..the Atlantic Ocean,you know..
this little island..is a MUST for Dakar visitors..first impression is its
calm serenity..bougainville flowers..little back alleys..I bet..it must be nice..
to live in this place..away from the hustle and bustle of Dakar town..
tourists flock to this place..to see the *Maison des Esclaves*
let me tell you all...I felt shame to listen to the guide explaining how
his black countryfolks..were captured..and kept here for trade..
human cattle..shipped out to be sold..to greedy white plantation owners,
I think it's outrageous..a black page in our history books..
this slave house dates from middle 1780's..they show you the cell like
dungeons..and a gate..where the slaves were put into the ships..
bound for no return ever to their home places..when we were visiting..
we met a group of black Americans..coming back to find out about their
roots..clicking away their camera's..maybe their bet bet grandfathers or
grandmothers were shipped out here..who knows??after this sad visit..
we did a walk around the island..it's simply great..no cars..no traffic..
the local inhabitants..live with the tourists..we met a teacher..
she showed us her classroom..and her pupils..my wife being a teacher
before in India..knew what a teacher feels..I didn't..the classroom..
was very primitive..but..they were teaching in there..that counts..
there are some hotels even on Gor?e..not cheap,I think..
a couple of musea,some restaurants,a mosque,a church,
some fort remnants,a small sandy beach as well..that's Gor?e..
I loved the peace and quiet about this place...
we returned to Dakar by the chaloupe=ferry..
and back to the luxury of Teranga..what a contrast,my friends...
some links for Gor?e island...for me..it's like visiting again...
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/senegal_goree_island.htm
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/senegal_goree_island_house_of_slaves.htm
next day..we planned a visit to a beach called N'gor island..
Tiger