While on the bike I have plenty of time to think. I think about family, friends, people I have met and loads of other stuff.
Today I spent a lot of time thinking about trust and my attitude to strangers. My natural instinct toward strange people I meet at the borders is mistrust and assumption they will do me ill.
My first camp in the true African bush went well. I had all my limbs in the morning and I slept soundly. That is after I put earplugs in, before that every rustle of the wind woke me up.
The ride today was pretty much as the rest of Senegal; hot and dusty. There has been a gradual change from salt production and green trees near the coast to charcoal production and more arid conditions inland.
I am lying in my tent acutely aware of every sound around me. The occasional vehicle on the road 50m away, the crickets all around,the donkey braying in the distance, and the something large shuffling through the leaves about 15m away. The something large and me have come to an understanding, I will stop making noises and shining my light in its direction if it comes no closer and gives its life for me if something even larger comes in the night.
The Gambian scouts gave me a fantastic send off this morning and after getting through the capital Banjul, the ferry this time was easy. Even the border was a breeze with only the Senegalese customs insisting on a payment but refusing a receipt.
The road in Senegal from the border was in just as bad condition as it was last week when i went down into Gambia but roads have improved dramatically since i started the long haul East to Cameroon.
I have about one to two days travel to the Mali border and expect to cross on Monday.
Tomorrow: more hot and dusty miles across Senegal.
Ps. This will be posted next time i have wifi.
Gambia is… I could write so many things here but the reality is I cannot do the people justice in anything I write. I have been welcomed by smiling faces wherever I go, and want to come back; and I want to bring Scouts from the UK so they can get some of the energy that has been given to me over the last few days.
The culmination of my time here was this evening when the Gambian National Scout band have me a personal marching display (I have videod it) and tonight when we had a campfire Gambian style (African music and drums) when I definitely felt like guest of honour.
JERRE JIF
(Thank you)
Today has been a welcome break from the hectic schedule of the last few weeks. Omar took me to the local beach and the contrast between what the tourists see and what the people live is noticable. But what was also noticable was the lack of tourist. Probably because it is early in the season but the fear of ebola has had a big effect on tourism throughout Africa. The fears are unfounded and staying away from places like Gambia because of that fear is like not going to Spain.because of a problem in Scotland. (more…)
Today has been about getting run over and meeting people. Omar took me to the bank, the phone shop (Internet now working) the market and to his family house. I have also met the teachers at the little trees skills training school that are hosting me, and a lot of local Scout leaders. To get about I have been using public transport, an experience in itself.
I awoke to the roar of lions and after packing away i went to see what the reserve had to offer. I could walk with the lions or do a safari. I decided walking with lions was all my budget allowed. What an incredible experience that was. It was literally like walking the dogs, the sort of dogs that could eat you!
Two hours ago I was feeling a bit low, it was a horrible day on the bike and i was starting to think i may have to go off road a bit to find somewhere to camp. I am now sat on a game reserve park bench eating pasta, drinking coffee and listening to Lions roar while monkeys run around. Its funny how quickly things can change.
Just letting everyone know all is OK – I will be doing blogs for these days tomorrow – Teasers: – I nearly met the president of Senegal, I slept near some lions and went for a walk with them this morning – as in walking alongside them like you would a dog, I crossed into Gambia, met some Scouts, had my own personal concert from the national Scout band, met the incoming chief commissioner for Gambian Scouts… And there’s more!!!
John
Dakar is probably most famous for the Paris Dakar rally but, now I am past that area, I can let my family known that the rally is now held in South America. The area I have just travelled through is regarded as too dangerous.
So far Senegal has stood out for these reasons:Friendly and helpful people, bright vibrant colours, fish, dust, heat and speed bumps.
