I've been in Freetown for a week

Well it is hot and sticky and coming into the rainy season for the next 2 months. I have my leopard skin print wellies and a pink plastic mack and an umbrella in preparation. I was supposed to go to a concert - Akon - in Freetown but it was rained off - the rain was just amazing the the thunder and lightening electric. This was in Selonian 'small small' apparently the rain gets even heavier. But the fence were we live was washed down by the rains - how can it get even heavier?
I'm going to Makeni - my placement on Tuesday - this week is full of visitors - other VSOers/NGO's. I think the beach is where we will spend most time. They are just fantastic - like on the adverts - for those who watch adverts!!
I am learning how to hail a cab and negotiate a price - nothing has a price on it - it is all about bartering. I had a ride with 5 others in the cab - 3 in the front and three in the back - it was such a tight squash - but it got me to the government building where I was going to meet one of my housemates for lunch in the canteen. We ate a bean stew with unidentifyable meat, fish, beans and rice - it was really OK. But I eat most things and not fussy. This must be difficult for vegetarians.
I'm also getting used to sleeping under a mossie net, intermittent electricity, difficulties in accessing the internet and unable to download pictures as it is just too slow. Apologies everyone!! Having showers as I have never used showers before - I just prefer a soak in the bath. Washing my clothes by hand, having a strict 'kitchen hygiene regime'. I've never seen termites before - but now I have - they are in the flat I'm sharing!! Oh well.
I have been made so welcome by my flatmates, Carole, Fiona and Henning - this has contributed enormously to my adaptation within this new culture.

I have arrive in Sierra Leone

Well I have arrived in Sierra Leone. My flight took off as booked 23rd April. I am in Freetown until next week when I will be going 'up country' to Makeni.
What an exciting time to be in Sierra Leone - it is Independance Day tomorrow 27th April and already the party has started - I can hear all sorts of music, shouts and cars from the balcony where I am staying for the first week.
What is even better is that from tomorrow - all pregnant and lactating women and children up to the age of 5 will receive free healthcare. How amazing to be part of such a momentus change in history - I will just be a small part of these changes.
It is hot and humid as we await the rainy season which is just about to start. I have swum in the altantic sea at number 2 beach - I understand that the bounty or was it flake advert was filmed there - because it is so beautiful.
Life is hard here but the people are happy, friendly and cheerful. Freetown is a very colourful town.
Internet is slow and prone to problems - dont expect too many pictures!!

Going to Sierra Leone

Hi, the dust has settled and I'm off tomorrow to Sierra Leone. More updates when I arrive.

Waiting to go - Icelandic volcanic dust permitting!

Well I'm getting finally organised - just back from France - and at this moment I do not know if the flight to Freetown, Sierra Leone is on or off this Friday 23rd April. I have got my flight ticket and am awaiting final instructions.
Hopefully my next blog will be from Sierra Leone to say I have arrived.