Sign In
Advertisement
Published: September 12th 2011September 12th 2011
I'm sitting here writing by windup lantern light. The electric has been off all evening which means, worse than anything, the fan's are off. The water is also off which means we're flushing the toilet, in the dark, with buckets of water. I've just had a bucket bath, in the dark, which was rendered useless as I was just as sweaty after drying myself as I was when I first started. To top it all I have a dodgy belly and sharing the house with four others while having this dodgy belly has to be the most mortifying experience of my life. I won't go into details!
So this is the life of the volunteer in The Gambia. Not that I'm complaining mind! I just want to remember this when I'm back at home sitting watching the TV on a comfy chair, glass of wine in hand, nice dinner in the oven, lovely clean toilet to go to and the prospect of a bubble bath later on.
Now I'm just praying that the fan's will come on at some point this evening or at least the lightening that has been looming overhead all night will actually turn into a huge downpour that will cool the place down. Ah the joys!
Advertisement
I'm off to The Gambia with the VSO to be a Cluster Primary Teacher Trainer, (or is it a Primary Cluster Teacher Trainer, I can never remember.) I'll be based in Basse Santa Su, the most up river town in The Gambia meaning it's out in the sticks. I'll be staying on a compound with a local family where I'll have intermittent electricity and water and, I've been told, will experience the true Gambian way of life away from the tourists on the coast. Armed with a motorbike, a basic supply of stationary and a 20 pack of laminating sheets I've been tasked with the job of organising workshops and trai... full info
| Joined | August 28th 2011 | Trips | 0 |
| Last Login | October 16th 2012 | Followers | 1 |
| Status | BLOGGER | Follows | 0 |
| Blogs | 35 | Guestbook | 71 |
| Photos | 153 | Forum Posts | 0 |
Blog Options
Gambia, The
The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965; it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the pre...more info
Advertisement
Blogged From
TravelBlog Awards
Find Hotels
Guests: | Rooms: |
Comments
Date: 15th September 2011
holiday in the sun
Just finished booking the flight and hotel. Can't wait to see you! This entry is NOT selling the holiday mind. Do I have to practise the bucket bath technique?
From Blog: This is the life... of the volunteer
holiday in the sun
Just finished booking the flight and hotel. Can't wait to see you! This entry is NOT selling the holiday mind. Do I have to practise the bucket bath technique?
From Blog: This is the life... of the volunteer
Date: 24th September 2011
It appears to be going well then!
So good to know that you are enjoying yourself in the Gambia! What better way to discover how the other half lives and how they do so with joy and dignity (except for toilet arrangements!). Missionaries who entered these countries many many years ago stepped out in faith and with great a desire to do good - just like yourself. They did a great job and we are sure you will too. A sense of humour helps when the going gets tough - keep that in mind and .....good look with those language skills. They could cause a bit of mirth. Love and good wishes from Tom and Maureen.
From Blog: This is the life... of the volunteer
It appears to be going well then!
So good to know that you are enjoying yourself in the Gambia! What better way to discover how the other half lives and how they do so with joy and dignity (except for toilet arrangements!). Missionaries who entered these countries many many years ago stepped out in faith and with great a desire to do good - just like yourself. They did a great job and we are sure you will too. A sense of humour helps when the going gets tough - keep that in mind and .....good look with those language skills. They could cause a bit of mirth. Love and good wishes from Tom and Maureen.
From Blog: This is the life... of the volunteer
Date: 5th October 2011
ahhh shades of..
Central america!! Really cool blog hope you don't mind if I follow along :-)
From Blog: This is the life... of the volunteer
ahhh shades of..
Central america!! Really cool blog hope you don't mind if I follow along :-)
From Blog: This is the life... of the volunteer
Copyright Notice: All Rights Reserved
Do not copy images or text from this page without requesting and receiving permission. All rights are reserved by the author and photographer.
Tot: 0.097s; Tpl: 0.006s; cc: 14; qc: 49; dbt: 0.0225s; 1; s:apollo w:www (50.28.60.10); sld: 1; ; mem: 6.4mb
© 2013 TravelBlog.org & Bloggers
Joe Lennox
non-member comment
I\'m so pleased to hear that your holiday is going well!!!!!!!!!!
From Blog: This is the life... of the volunteer