Eight Months and another 10 thoughts

This weekend is special in Sierra Leone as it is Election Weekend.  The voting took place yesterday and we are no awaiting the result.  This weekend also marks 8 months to the day since I arrived in Freetown.  So much has happened and so many learnings.  So, here are my 10 thoughts at this milestone.

1, Elections mean party, party, party and to be proud to wear you party’s colour in all sorts of ways as you fill the streets for the rallies

2. Even when the wedding ashobi appears challenging you can make it work

3. If you come to visit me in Sierra Leone mid-October to mid-November is the best time – the weather is still cool at night but there are sunny days with the odd shower of rains to bring respite from the heat

4. Have learnt the hard way to be very careful with my choice of words when making a comment on integrity
5. You can have tailor disasters – my dress just didn’t fit no matter what alterations he tried so now I have a new skirt
6. Wedding ceremonies at registrars can have Muslim prayers, Christian  prayers and vows from the bible – very different to a UK registry office wedding
7. The longer you stay in church the better – 3 hours for a wedding and 2 hours for a thanksgiving service
8. If you have your phone pickpocketed and you notice quickly enough you can retrieve it by shouting loudly and standing your ground
9. Visited beautiful Kenema for the first time - thank you for your hospitality Sarah and Dom
10. Planning a trip home for Christmas really buoys the spirits – Scotland and London with 5 shows booked already!