Today I have a weekend left and an estimated 4.5 working days left here in Freetown. I am counting it ever so consciously because I am ready to pack my bags, go to the helipad, off to Lungi and fly off on a jetplane. I remember singing "Leaving on a Jet Plane"in the car last Thursday night for T before he left, and now just about soon enough, I get to do it for myself.
Oh brighter days, here we come.... It has been raining alligators and elephants this past week here in Freetown and it's not pleasant. So.. I cannot wait! I have been here almost 2 years and now a change would do me wonders although parts of me feel sad leaving friends and memories behind.
I made a mental note of the list of things I like and dislike about SL below as a goodbye-present to myself. Also partly to to occupy myself at work. I like that every other evening, when work is over, I can trot along to Atlantic Bar along Lumley Beach and feel like second home. They know my name (Mr Bah is the best barman!) which only serves to point out how much time I spent there. The sun would set, there would be boys playing football on the sand and all is sweet and dandy. Where else can I pay 20p for a taxi ride? Despite the shabby run down condition of the cab, it's usually a safe ride and enjoyable. I LOVE my house. It is our first home together for the last 2 years and I know we won't be able to find and afford a house that size for a long time to come. And we had fond memories of so many things there, like playing charades in not so quite sober state, playing with my pet sheep or running around the balcony trying to wash my bod Blackie.
Living in SL means you can get to some of the world's best beaches in less than an hour, it's so perfect isn't it? Drinking and eating is so cheap in SL although there is a lack of variety in my opinion. I enjoy second-hand shopping and it makes me feel oh-so-proud when I find cool bargains like a sequin evening bag that costs me 5,000 Le or about 2 dollars. I am really going to miss PZ market shopping every Friday afternoon with K and the Friday lunches at Crown before that.
While there are good things to remember, there are few others I am ready to leave behind. There is NO movie theatre, shopping malls, cafes, all the conveniences I am used to. I confessed. I come from Singapore after all, where shopping and eating are two of our national pastimes. I. I am tired at being called "white girl", hissed at and expected to answer when every guy tells you to come over. Am done with that. And I won't miss the yelling, honking, noise generally going around and the general lack of customer service.
Still - it's always mixed feelings leaving a place you've grown to enjoy and that's been kind to you.
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