Trek time again! That week in term time when they pack me off in a white pick-up truck with four other guys. This time I was the only girl so most nights I got a bed and a room all to myself. Only one night did I have to curl up with a complete stranger (female I hasten to add, just in case hubby starts to panic). She was a very nice and hospitable lady but never the less I pulled my sleeping bag liner around my ears and squashed myself next to the wall. We didn’t have to venture too far from home this time but we were on the Casamance border (Southern Senegal), where we have all been banned from setting foot in due to rebel activity. Once we were settled for the night I just happened to ask one of the teachers whether or not they’d had any problems. They went on to tell me that they usually only hear gunfire on Saturday, Sunday and Monday and as it was Tuesday we should be OK! Ahh well I could sleep soundly – NOT! The ‘Beware of Landmines’ signs everywhere didn’t seem to calm the nerves much either. Maybe the college were subtly trying to tell the four of us something.
Watch where you are walking!
We were always fed very well by our hosts as you can see from the pictures. Chicken number one was cooked in our honour and ended up as a plate of brown on a bed of rice. The next day chicken number two ended up the same way and on day three two chickens who I had the pleasure of witnessing their demise also ended up a shade of brown on a bed of rice. All very tasty shades of brown I must say. Day four saw us fending for ourselves and as there were no chickens to hand I ripped the top off a ferocious can of sardines mixed it with mayo and onions and stuck it inside a loaf of bread, well it made a change from rice and brown. Then it was back home to the pleasure of my own loo – heaven.
Chicken 1
Chicken 2 (Could've been chicken 1's brother!)
Chickens 3&4
Lisa also popped out again for a very welcome visit. Food seemed to be the main theme of her stay. She brought lots of yummy treats including twiglets, olives, M &M’s, malt loaf and best of all CHEESE! I have placed the stilton on a pedestal on the middle shelf of the fridge and smile every time I open the door. Tonight could be the night when it too will have to go the same way as chickens no 1,2,3 and 4. I will be sticking it on a cracker and not on a bed of rice. I hear you mutter – that woman is obsessed with food. You’re not wrong, it’s amazing what you miss when you haven’t got it.
A restaurant in the mangroves
June’s tip for the week – Stay off the beans when sleeping with strangers.
