Another quick update from the road with more news of our desert adventures to come. Dusty and the team made it through Senegal on Friday, driving 10 hours in a convoy of 45 cars along rough roads with the customs police all the way to the Gambian border. When we arrived, we had a warm welcome from two rally volunteers who ushered us through customs and passport control. Also waiting for us were a group of boys Vivi and I met last year. We spent a couple of hours hanging out, taking photos and distributing tags. Two guys asked us for help setting up a youth program on HIV/AIDS awareness. They said they had just started a community project to sensitize young people about the issue but needed help – expertise, ideas, and money.
Word gets out fast and the last few days every young person we meet makes a gesture with their hands around their necks about the tags – there simply aren’t enough to go around!
On the rally front, we were given a state welcome by the government and the Mayoress of Banjul in an official procession through the city yesterday afternoon – including the honour of passing under “Arch 22” through which only the President can drive….Lost of bewildered looks and a few rotten tomatoes from locals who don’t know much about the rally. Nevertheless, we’ve been getting offers for Dusty left right and centre – the petrol station owner, taxi drivers, and a bank manager have been clamoring to buy. She will be auctioned on Saturday to the highest bidder with proceeds going to local charities, as with the rest of the rally cars. After looking quite dusty for the last few weeks, Dusty is gleaming white after a complete scrub down by our rasta friend at the Leybato beach motel. He even cleaned the engine bay with a toothbrush.
Today we drive inland to explore some eco-reserves on the Gambia river delta. Banjul is a big tourist hell – Blackpool meets West Africa. Time to see some back country…
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