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jambo
3300 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Nov 2009 : 14:09:05
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Well I am back from my holiday, what a week, for a small place gambia is busy,
i left on wednesday 11th and returned 20th, during that time I attended the ACHPR at the sheraton internation event, a priests ordination on saturday, bishop from the netherlands officated, church and trade event at independent stadium on sunday, AU/UN event at Kairaba, for womens affairs, Jean PING was the honoroud guest CEDW, UNIFEM american trade with Gambia event at cocunut residence.
yes I was busy, being in Gambia at that time allowed me to attend these events, many gambians attended, BUT NOTE THIS they were all international events, high level, prestigeous evetns. Gambia should be proud that it is the chosen place to hold the seminars/conferences/trade shows. IT IS NOT SOMETHING TO LOOSE, because visitor will some way shape or form contribute to the economy. How many other countries would like to hold this many events in one year not to mention one week.
There was a full calendar of events happening in December, as well as the local happenings, tobaski, for the christian, Maria day, christmas, beauty pagents, ministerial meetings.
WHO EVER READS this, take control where it needs to be control, all eyes were on gambia last week. They will be watching and closely monitoring the country, TAKE CONTROL.
For me the bumsters are a pest, considering the amount of people in the Komobs last week, I would have like to have seen more control if no a complete ban on these people they do nothing to add to the country at all, but are allowed to pester people at will.
TAKE CONTROL
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2009 : 18:06:12
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You are the visitor, the 'bumpster' has to try to live in Gambia every day of their lives.
We don't have the right to restrict where local people go, that is really shocking! You surprise me. It's not very Christian! |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2009 : 16:49:57
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this is not about being christian, it is about being harrassed, think about it, if you go out of the hotel and 2 - 3 people come up and speak to you, it is off putting,
CHRISTIANITY DOES NOT COME INTO, I am not restricting them, but would like their movements to me restricted.
NICE ANSWER BEV. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2009 : 18:28:19
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Jambo I know you try to do alot of good in Gambia, that is why I was surprised by your attitude to others less fortunate than us.
Why not engage with them and ask where they live? How do they earn a living etc? Most are happy if you show interest and respect them as a fellow human being.
Tell them you already support some projects and cant support anymore.
Most accept that graciously.
If I had no place to live, two sets of clothes, and didnt know where my next meal was coming from I think I would be quite desperate. Who knows what I would do?
Try walking in their shoes, thinking like they think...would it make you more compassionate?
Jesus teaches that anyone who is in need is your neighbour. I think this is applicable to bumsters in Gambia. |
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black orchid
United Kingdom
74 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2009 : 19:34:38
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quote:
Why not engage with them and ask where they live? How do they earn a living etc? Most are happy if you show interest and respect them as a fellow human being.
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We have engaged them constantly, and i am sure jambo has, but it honestly does not work.
Most are very aggresive, and as soon as you set foot outside the hotel, it starts, and never ends. You eventually free yourself from one young man , and in the next minute you are approached by others. They are very persistant, and will still follow you even though you have shook their hands and bade them goodbye.
And thats the whole 14 days in a nutshell. No peace, no rest, just harrasement. My husband and I arn't easily rattled, but it got too much for us, and we would just end up going back to the hotel. So we will not be going back for a while, if ever. It is a problem Bev - not exagerating it really is that bad. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2009 : 20:32:54
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BEV, you mean well, and when you get to gambia you can do this, but if you think I engage in conversation with every bumster you have got to be kidding, who has the time, I am usually on a program and a timetable.
You have travelled enough times to know a scam when you see one, this is a scam, so they come up to me and I engage in conversation for what, to have my pocket picked.
Not sure what you are thinking off but conversation is not what they want, even if they say I am poor, help me, how do I know it is the truth, this is gambia, I can go to a village and see someone without shoes.
IT IS HARRASSMENT, as for you quoting the scriptures at me DO NOT GO THERE |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 26 Nov 2009 : 08:21:52
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I suggest to Black Orchid to stay at Kotu rather than Senegambia.
It is more peaceful and more beautiful. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 26 Nov 2009 : 12:30:20
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if I had a choice not stay at the hotel I was at BADALA PARK, bumsters inside the hotel as well as outside. the area is developing rapidly.
on the road leading to the beach, by the elton garage across the road there is an arch being built. They have a chinese foreman in charge of the builders, there is a Afra eating place with a garden being built, lots of development between there and senegambia at each junction there where police stands controlling the traffic which was heavy. TAKE NOTE GAMBIA is developing.
by point about the posting look how busy it was, not just 2 weeks stay tourist, but conference tourists, all postive for gambia, exchange rate 42-45 dls to one pound.
the USA EMBASSY organised a two day forum to encourage trade between america and gambia, all where welcome, postivie signs.
THAT WAS WHAT THE POSTING WAS ABOUT.
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molly75
United Kingdom
86 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2009 : 05:30:53
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| Jambo i was staying at the same hotel at the same time and did not notice any bumsters inside the hotel. There are local people and hotel staff, but they were no hassle at all. i always stay at Badala and never have a problem. Even outside the hotel i never get hassled...why do they hassle you? |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2009 : 08:30:53
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Molly I stay at Badala too or Palm beach. I like Badala precisely because there are lots of Gambian people there. I've not been hassled in the hotel at all.
Sometimes on the walk to the beach there is a little hassle, but nothing major. If you stay at Palm beach you are straight onto the beach with no hassle and the hotel is very quiet. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2009 : 14:29:39
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Here is my problem I walk out of the hotel, and am approached my taxi drivers, very polite but i can say no I am okay, from BP WALK TO THE ARCH and at least one will follow and talk to you, I am polite BEV JUST IN CASE YOU THOUGHT I WAS NOT, but no means no, SIMPLE.
Okay let them talk, but why follow me, in the morning it is off putting, but at night/early evening, it is unnerving.
why they do not speak to MOLLY75, i have no idea.
this was my first stay at BP, LOVED THE LOCATION, could get to any of my places really easy. As the purpose of the stay was to see the schools and pay school fees, the hotel is a secondary consideration.
not tried palm beach, if fact this trip only stayed still at the pool for two half days.
NEED TO GO BACK AND STAY ON THE BEACH.
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2009 : 18:33:34
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Palm beach has nice quiet pool area and you can walk straight on beach. Bit higher standard of cleaning, maintenance, food than Badala. Taxis available right outside.
Badala bit cheaper, livelier at night, music by the pool. Staff fun and entertaining.....
Depends on your perspective...I like both for different reasons.
I've not stayed in Senegambia and wouldnt want to....Kotu is beautiful and especially the walk round the road to the market....lovely and great for bird watching. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2009 : 18:36:20
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| I like staying in the hotels around there because they have a real Gambian feel, not 'international' feeling. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2009 : 19:36:54
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loved the location of BP, NOT sure what happening with the restaurant next door, it is sad when I see empty places. it would be nice if they could build it up a bit more and that would stop people having to go to Senegambia area.
the main drag there is changing before there was only one club, now there are 4 clubs, so you can guess what it is like after 9.00pm.
As for the staff not being paid not sure if that is true, but they did seem a bit desparate not rude, but maybe pushy, i suppose in the other hotels, they would not ask me to have a look at their projects, I was never approached in African Village or Cape point.
it seems so sad if they are working only for food and transport, THAT IS EXPLOITATION in any language, the hotel was full, busy, thomas cook, olympic holidays and some other tour companies were there. The guests were varied, some on the first time visit, others like me needing a base to be central but had places to go to, quite a few bird watchers who had their own agendas. some deep see fishing men again had their own agenda.
For meals I try to eat as local as poossible, opposite the hotel, next to the taxis, local women set up a food stall, I ate there, 30 dls a plate, in the evening, upstairs at the elton 90 dls a plate or 75 dls for the afra garden downstairss. Ah good food, pleasant atmosphere, good for the area. 
SO BEV WHEN ARE YOU GOING BACK TO GAMBIA
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2009 : 20:59:57
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I dont think I will ever be going back how my finances are at the moment!!!
I'm HOPING this time next year. |
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molly75
United Kingdom
86 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2009 : 13:15:15
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| GambiaBev im glad there is also someone else out there who loves Badala and Palm beach. I stay at palm beach in the rainy season when bp is closed. Jambo people do speak to me but they do not hassle me..maybe i am more laid back than you and see things from a different perspective! : )) Sometimes i do walk along and speak to people, but sometimes i am not in the mood, so i just tell them i wish to walk alone and they say goodbye and go away. So when will your next trip be Jambo...maybe i will be there at the same time as you again..even if its not at lovely Badala. |
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