A sample daily report

I have never kept a diary, detailing aspects of what happened in my daily life. I never ever thought I would actually but I figured today I would give it a try.

It is 2.50pm here in Freetown. I jave just finished work for the day and am about to set off for home. I usually try to leave around this time because otherwise it will take me almost forever to get a taxi home. I am currently sitting at my work desk, wooden and varnished. There is my PC, a Sabil 1.5litre mineral water bottle, my Sony Ericsson phone (which I think is beginning to really fall apart), a red pen, a desk calender for 2008 courtesy of Royal Air Maroc, an office tray with assortment of papers and newspapers from days before, an empty bottle of Fanta which I need to return back to the street to get my 2000 Leones back and a couple of flyers. There is no music going on right now. The office is situated on Howe Street and housed together with staff from a church I think. Well, least we got God's blessing right under our roof. But the walls between the offices are so thin sometimes you feel you are part of a conversation you were not supposed to be in. There are 3 other ladies working with me today - Elisabeth, Daniella and Hawa. All Sierra Leoneans and all my favourites.

I came to work today via a cab from Spur Road (that's the main road from where I reside) and paid 2000 Leones (which is less than a dollar for a 15 mins ride). The sun is scorching as usual. Tim went to work earlier. I think there is some sort of a budget presentation today. So I couldn't get a ride in his 110 Land Rover Defender. So far today, I have eaten: a bun with sauce (onions, stewish sauce with plenty of oil and spices), a piece of chicken, an egg (it all comes together with my bun), and a small piece of fried plantain. I am quite hungry but too lazy to venture out into the crowds of the streets. It can feel suffocating sometimes.

3.50pm - I just went out to get lunch. White rice with fish and beans at Stop Press Restaurant along George Street. It's a restaurant when you can also get the latest political gossip in town. The meal costs me 85oo Leones. Plus I bought a 10 stick Gold Seal menthol. Oh and a 15000 Celtel top up card (that's worth about 5 dollars - way cheaper than what I used to pay in Australia, 30 dollar Optus recharge). The traffic today was exceptionally heavy. Cars, podas-podas, lorries, 4WD, motorbikes all honking.. people running shoulders with other strangers along crowded streets... I admit it was very claustrophobic! But I wade through it all and made it back to the office. By the way, there was an explosion yesterday along Free Street, very near to where I worked.

I am almost done for today. Christmas is nearing and you can feel the vibes and excitement in the city. I am getting exhausted staring at the computer.