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Friday, September 02, 2011

Exploring Freetown

Well we've been back just a few weeks and are finally caught up with things that are going on. We thought we'd show you a little of Freetown life. A couple of weekends ago we visited the local bakery in town then Sharon and her friend went off "exploring". They love to just mingle with the people of Sierra Leone, talk with them, find out about their lives and this day they ventured into some of the back streets and met some more interesting sights and people.
This is a church that was destroyed in the civil war. As we looked at all the overgrowth inside, wishing we could just step in, we were fearful of it collapsing and maybe rats biting us, locals started asking us if we were going to rebuild it. They seemed quite disappointed when we said no. It seems that they still hope that one day this church will be used again. Meanwhile life just carries on around it.
From the fabric alley (those in the UK will now be familiar with our fabric alley after the slideshow) we took this narrow passage off to the side and entered life in the back streets. It was a world of food, chicken, fish, chillies, people grinding cassava and a view of Freetown that we had never seen. We found this chicken market and we walked through and saw the fishing villages filled with tin and wooden shacks. Locals gathered around us to talk to us offering us a live chicken to take home. Unfortunately we had to decline, it would make too much mess in the cabin.
Further down there were these big steps leading down to a small river, where there were loads of pigs. We asked why were the pigs here, and the reply was, they live here.
This man was sitting on the side of the street carving wooden spoons.
So if you're ever wondering if you can live in Sierra Leone and have all your needs, just look at a few of the things you can buy.
Chicken feet - great for soup
No need to go to the neighbour for a cup of rice, just take your cup to the market.
Always nice to have some cooked fish with your rice, straight off the shelf in an open air market. It's probably good too. (don't worry the womans feet aren't for sale, she was just having a sleep whilst waiting for the next customer)
and finally after a good meal, pick up a toothbrush to clean your teeth.
Another day in Sierra Leone.

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