From one extreme to another, Heathrow to Lungi (Freetown)
airport, the same manic feeling but with very different standards.
Lungi airport was basically an old building with a long
stretch of road outside used as the runway, it was cramped, dirty and quite
daunting, until you see the sign “Welcome to Sierra Leone, where everyone
smiles”, then you remember why you are here!
Charlie (founder of The Collective) rescued us at the
airport and we were soon off along the highway heading for the ferry across to
Freetown.
Although pitch black outside, we passed hundreds of people
just sitting on the side of the road, either trying to sell something or just
because they had nothing better to do. It wasn’t as if they could turn the TV
on and watch whatever they liked, this was their routine 7 days a week.
Before boarding the ferry we were awarded a small treat, a
bottle of STAR beer, Sierra Leone’s finest lager (supposedly it has over a
million bubbles in it for great taste). Charlie explained that not every STAR
tastes the same; he didn’t have to tell me twice as I quickly got another, so
far so good.
After jumping over the water onto the ferry we set sail. We
had first class tickets but first class in SaLone is not quite the same as
first class back home. Instead we opted to stand on the top deck where we met
some Americans and a guy with a pet turtle (weird combination I know).
Packed back into the car we were off again, the DVLA would
have a nightmare over here, with all the Akado’s (motorbikes) flying past, cars
pulling out left right and centre all with full beams on, its more of a rally
than a motorway.
Safe to say we arrived at our destination… TribeWanted.
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