Finally, here are some pictures (Thanks to you, Janne!!)

By the crocodile pool. There are about 100 crocodiles in the pool and there were no fence around. When we walked in the village close to the crocodile pool (which is a museum), one of the crocodiles had run away, and was enjoying the sun in the village. It seemed to have a good time beside the sewage that was running in the street..

This is my new friend Charlie. I was told that the crocodiles were not hungry. By looking at the belly I felt safe as there is no way I would fit in!

The fishermen just got in with the catch of the day. As you can see, The Gambia has got a very nice beach!

 

The view from my balcony. The living conditions at the moment are fantastic. I am now situated in Bakau (there is a map further down on the page). Next Sunday I will be moving to Farafenni where I will stay for the rest of the period.

My first trip to town by my self

The taxi system here is new to me. The taxis have fixed routes, so I have to take the taxi from home to one place, then walk to the right part of a road where the taxi or bus (bus=toyota hiace..!) take me further (and it is not obvious where the right place is). The taxis are filled up with as many as they can take. In my experience the streets are not marked well, and I haven't got hold of a map, so I have some trouble in getting to know the surrounding areas. Until now I have had a boy following me around to fix everything. Today I figured it was about time I tried to get around on my own. I was going to meet some British volunteers that I have met on the internet. I made it home, but the return trip wasn't the best I've had. Most people here are very nice, but some are annoying. I have been told that I have to pretend that I have been living here for a long time, and that I am here working. I have to be very direct and honest and set my limits.. That is what I am practicing these days. It was very nice to meet the British guys though, they even invited me to a bbq on Saturday!

Annas husband just taught me what to say when I meet boys that are bothersome: "soma djekar mongifi" which means "my husband is here". I can't wait to test that line!

Oslo-Brussels-Dakar-Banjul

Some starting-problems. The guy in check-in in Oslo said I had to call Kilroy travels to change my ticket before I could go. It was Sunday morning at 6 am, and obviously no travel agency were open.. The guy wouldn’t let me on the plane, and he told me to go home. According to him my stay in The Gambia was longer than permitted without visa (even though the Gambian consulate assured me that I didn’t needed a visa). Luckily I found a girl at the travel office that was a bit more problem-solving-minded and service oriented. She called the airline and my ticket home was changed so I could go. HURRA!

I am now at a nice resort close to the main city (Banjul). Anna, a former student at my school, own the resort and she and her family take very good care of me. I have my own room with WC and air condition, which is very nice in this heat. I will stay here for about one week before I go in to the country to the town Farafenni. One of the boys that work in the reception is my guide and he follows me around town to fix everything. I have bought internet so I am now online on my own computer!!I have been here less than 24 hours and I have already had a short meeting with the Minister of Health. Hopefully I'll be able to start the pilot study in a few days. If things continue to go as smooth, this will be a dream!

My Gambian phone number is (00220) 78 52 758. My user name on Skype is priyamiriam. I am looking forward to seeing you guys online! Please comment and let me know how things are back home!

I just figured out that I have forgotten the USB cable to the camera so I will not be able to post pictures in a while. Sorry about that!