The Queen’s Birthday Bash!

So if your image of volunteering is all about pit latrines, unmanageable hair, dirty feet and battles with lizards you would be slightly mistaken. Occasionally a golden envelope appears in your pigeon hole and the opportunity of a glamorous night out opens up in front of you. Now these opportunities are few and far between so when one such envelope came our way it wasn't long before the madness began. The British High Commission hold various parties throughout the year and this particular event was to celebrate the Queen's Birthday. The BHC continue to invite the VSOs  even though we have a reputation for getting far too merry and eventually collapsing in a happy heap of intoxication (well it is a free bar...) So the first job was to find a dress. After a rather stressful fitting in the tourist market (they threw in some extra hassle for free... how kind J), a fab haircut (care of Courtney) and a new pair of flip-flops (to match my dress... I know... classy as always!) I was ready to hit the town.   We arrived at the British High Commissioner's residence and were promptly greeted by the security guard by the gate. 'VSO?' he said and then waved us through. So even when we attempt to look a bit more glamorous we still stand out as grubby volunteers! (Maybe it was the flip-flops....) We shook hands with the High Commissioner as we walked in and then began walking through the crowd towards the noise that could only be coming from a bunch of volunteers. On the way I got sidetracked by a line of outstretched hands and unfortunately missed the arm of the head of a large bank in The Gambia colliding enthusiastically into Courtney, consequently sending her full glass of white wine directly into his own face, gutted I missed it! What an entrance!   Someone else who will remain nameless responded to the question 'Can you hear me at the back?' from the High Commissioner by shouting 'inter' ...... (running to the other side of the crowd)..... 'mittent' a few times which was funny! Someone else was walking around with a big British flag (not sure where they got it??) Anyway, was a great night and I just hope they invite us again! It was nice to have one night of straightened hair and make up.... oh well back to bandanas and lizard wars...

Dad's Adventure...

So Dad loved The Gambia so much that he decided to return. After hiring a motorbike from 'Riders for Health' he set off on his own 'long way round' adventure (although not quite so long!). He had a great time crossing the river on a variety of ferries (one that required you to pull yourself across!), finding someone to fix a puncture in a tiny village when nobody speaks English and enjoying the friendliness of the local people. For more information about the charity 'Riders for Health' - click on the link next to 'home' on this blog.

Murder Mystery Mayhem!

So for Andrew, Greg and Sukey's leaving do, Amy came up with the idea of a Murder Mystery evening. It was a great idea and fun was had by all! I enjoyed being Selina Skye for the night (a wealthy Jewellery designer who had come to seek revenge against the person who murdered her parents!) although three people tried to murder me and they succeeded in the end so I am not sure that I was any good at it!

Work update...

So what have I been doing recently?

Well, we had another regional training day on the 13th March so Paul and I went to the furthest cluster from us to help them plan the day. We also went to the day itself to offer support where we could.

The main project I am working on at the moment is a training DVD on the teaching of reading in The Gambia. I am travelling to a variety of schools to film good examples of teaching to share with the rest of the region which is keeping me busy!

Saa!

So I am lying on my bed reading a book ('The White Tiger' to be precise... would definitely recommend it!), trying to ignore the fact that the heat is almost at a level where one may start to panic, when I hear a frantic shout from outside. I would later find out that the word the lady on the compound was shouting was 'saa'. If I knew this at the time I would have looked outside immediately rather than choosing to ignore the noise until Ebrima came knocking at my door asking me to come look. I reluctantly put my book down and stepped into the furnace outside my door. I looked at Ebrima and I swear my heart stopped for a split second. He was holding the biggest snake (saa) I have ever seen (well the biggest snake outside a snake farm that is!). I managed to mutter an inquiry into whether the snake was dead and he assured me it was while holding it out towards me to touch. I politely declined and watched in fascination as he cut off the snake's head. There were others on the compound by this time trying to get a photo with their mobile phone. It was like a circus. Once the head was finally separated from the body with a rusty bit of tin, the men made a hole in the ground with a stick and then buried the head with a lump of coal so that the compound would be safe from snakes in the future. What with this and a crazy lizard who decided to move into my house this week (and is particularly partial to backflipping  towards me whenever I walk into my bedroom), life is certainly not dull in Kerewan. Well now that Ebrima has got rid of my lizard (felt guilty but it had to be done) and following a number of conversations with the locals whereby they convinced me that it is very rare to see a snake in Kerewan, I can now sleep soundly. I don't think I will ever look at a daddy-long-legs with fear in my heart again!