Hey all,
Sorry that I have not been posting on here for a couple weeks or so. I have been having to write up a lot of research notes. But i'm back posting again, its been quite a journey. I have now been in Sierra Leone for over 4 weeks and I am still finding this place breathtaking! The beaches are world-class and the people are great! The research has been fantastically interesting, and I have been picked up by a British NGO to work on the monitoring and evaluations team for the rest of my time here. In return they are helping me with my research, providing me with accomodation and pay. They have been organising meetings with government ministers, United Nations officials, Country Directors, Donor and top private sector organisations. Feel like a bit of a diplomat to be honest, lol. Soon I will taken to the middle of nowhere to interview rural youth and tribal leaders in communities near the Guinea border, and I may even cross over to Guinea while I am there, which will be interesting.
The weather here though has been pretty random at times. The heat can get incredibly intense, I was waiting for the Poda Poda (a dingy van which plays cool music) for like 10 minutes and felt like I was about to melt. However, now rainy season has come and at night it thunders so hard that the bed actually shakes. The rain gets incredibly heavy and at times it feels like you are in the middle of hurricane katrina. But hey I do not mind as it keeps me cool!
Anyways only got limited time in this internet cafe, miss ya'll and will be back in England on July 17th.
Take care
Matt!
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Friday, 5 June 2009
Touchdown!
Arriving at the airport
Well i'm finally in Sierra Leone, been here for about a week now, theres much to tell but not enough time to tell it all. However, more details to follow.
About mid-way through my flight, I got one of those "what on earth am I doing?" moments. I just happened to sit next to an NGO worker on the plane over here; and I told her that I was travelling here on my own, having never been to Freetown. She just looked at me and said "Well thats quite an adventure!". Such comments did not help my nerves, and as we edged closer to our destination, all the random thoughts hit my head. Thoughts like 'what if noone turns up at the airport to meet me?' and 'What if i'm left stranded on the edge of West Africa, during the middle of the night?'
As the plane was flying over Sierra Leone, I wondered if the pilot had taken a wrong turn and ended up in the amazon rainforest. All I could see was ocean and greenery that looked like there were more goriillas, monkeys and other wildlife than people. I searched for a house, for a road, and my search was not met with success. Indeed, these were coastal islands near the mainlands but then something happened, we started to land. I saw no sign of a runway but yet we were descending further and further, till finally touchdown we were now in Sierra Leone.
I looked out the window, and thought ok i'm dead. I stepped off the plane and thought 'i'm soon gonna be mobbed by those guys out the window aren't I'. But as I made my way to the airport SUCCESS had arrived! I saw a guy standing there with my name Matthew Johnson. This guy had been informed by a friend to help me out at the airport, as this was my first time in the country. This guy was my shield and my protector, he made me feel cool, calm and collected.
However, this was just part one of mission impossible.I had arrived in Lungi and I needed to get to Freetown. Furthermore, Lungi and Freetown are seperated by the sea and the only way to get across was by ferry, hovercraft, speedboat or helicopter. All adventurous options, but I chose to take the helicopter.
The helicopter was pretty cool until it starting shaking in random ways mid-air. I looked to my right and could see a lady praying fervently, and she did not open her eyes till we landed. And when I finally reached the heliport, my transportation had already arrived. I was now safe!
In Freetown
As we drove to the hostel I was full of excitment about my time in Freetown. I met Mohammed for the first time, who gave me his introductory welcome speech on Sierra Leone. And as we drove I saw a group of young people dancing on a large vehicle, with very loud music. I then realised that Sierra Leoneans were party animals. Music was banging loudly through my hostel window, music ranging from traditional Sierra Leonean music, to jamaican reggae. However, one song particulary resonated with me, it was a Sierra Leonean song called 'Hold on'. This song represented a symbol of solidarity through adversity, and it was incredibly poignant.
As I woke up I went to my balcony and was just utterly stunned by the beauty of Freetown. Its green hills, lush beaches and sky blue sea, took my breath away. I was back in AFRICA AFRICA! And I absolutely loving it. The sound of the drums, the freedom of dance, the land of expression. Sweet Salone was mine to endure!
Well i'm finally in Sierra Leone, been here for about a week now, theres much to tell but not enough time to tell it all. However, more details to follow.
About mid-way through my flight, I got one of those "what on earth am I doing?" moments. I just happened to sit next to an NGO worker on the plane over here; and I told her that I was travelling here on my own, having never been to Freetown. She just looked at me and said "Well thats quite an adventure!". Such comments did not help my nerves, and as we edged closer to our destination, all the random thoughts hit my head. Thoughts like 'what if noone turns up at the airport to meet me?' and 'What if i'm left stranded on the edge of West Africa, during the middle of the night?'
As the plane was flying over Sierra Leone, I wondered if the pilot had taken a wrong turn and ended up in the amazon rainforest. All I could see was ocean and greenery that looked like there were more goriillas, monkeys and other wildlife than people. I searched for a house, for a road, and my search was not met with success. Indeed, these were coastal islands near the mainlands but then something happened, we started to land. I saw no sign of a runway but yet we were descending further and further, till finally touchdown we were now in Sierra Leone.
I looked out the window, and thought ok i'm dead. I stepped off the plane and thought 'i'm soon gonna be mobbed by those guys out the window aren't I'. But as I made my way to the airport SUCCESS had arrived! I saw a guy standing there with my name Matthew Johnson. This guy had been informed by a friend to help me out at the airport, as this was my first time in the country. This guy was my shield and my protector, he made me feel cool, calm and collected.
However, this was just part one of mission impossible.I had arrived in Lungi and I needed to get to Freetown. Furthermore, Lungi and Freetown are seperated by the sea and the only way to get across was by ferry, hovercraft, speedboat or helicopter. All adventurous options, but I chose to take the helicopter.
The helicopter was pretty cool until it starting shaking in random ways mid-air. I looked to my right and could see a lady praying fervently, and she did not open her eyes till we landed. And when I finally reached the heliport, my transportation had already arrived. I was now safe!
In Freetown
As we drove to the hostel I was full of excitment about my time in Freetown. I met Mohammed for the first time, who gave me his introductory welcome speech on Sierra Leone. And as we drove I saw a group of young people dancing on a large vehicle, with very loud music. I then realised that Sierra Leoneans were party animals. Music was banging loudly through my hostel window, music ranging from traditional Sierra Leonean music, to jamaican reggae. However, one song particulary resonated with me, it was a Sierra Leonean song called 'Hold on'. This song represented a symbol of solidarity through adversity, and it was incredibly poignant.
As I woke up I went to my balcony and was just utterly stunned by the beauty of Freetown. Its green hills, lush beaches and sky blue sea, took my breath away. I was back in AFRICA AFRICA! And I absolutely loving it. The sound of the drums, the freedom of dance, the land of expression. Sweet Salone was mine to endure!
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