Independance Day and Wusum Hill

Last Friday it was Sierra Leones 51^st year of independence and of course there was going to be big celebrations. This was done though a street parade with blaring music and lots people. The celebrations are centred around a tradition associated with Devils, but not the ones we think of in England, they are people dressed up from head to toe in a costume which could be a lion or other animal, and each of them represent an area in the city. They are strongly linked with secret societies which are a big thing here but unfortunately I don’t really know much else about them apart from you shouldn’t take pictures unless they say it’s ok. When the parade reached the area we were at hundreds of people took over the streets, banging drums and dancing to music. Lots of them were drunk or high but it added to the atmosphere. We followed them into the centre of town and stood just watching them all. People were pushing everywhere and we had managed to stand right in front of a big puddle which people would often fall into. I saw one car cruising down the road which had a person sitting on the bonnet, two people hanging out the window and inside looked jammed to. Think that might have breached some health and safety rules in England. Anyway, the day was full of fun and as my first experience of a street party I couldn’t ask for a better one to be in.    

After spending the next day watching the Craig Bellamy Foundation (CBF) football games we decided that on Sunday we would climb Wusum hill which is about half the size of Picket Point. The hill dominates the area where we live so looking at it everyday I thought this would be an easy challenge as it didn’t look to steep. Alusine was our guide and helped us through the route dressed up in jeans and flip flops (he’d clearly done this before). As soon as we reached the bottom of the hill I realised that this was going to be more like a free lance rock climbing session then a leisurely walk. It turns out that it is actually pretty steep and we had to work our way up the top using tufts of grass or plants to grab onto. It didn’t help the fact that the night before we had a big storm as its coming into rainy season now, and this made the rocks more slippery. Alusine was quick to show off his skills and half way through changed into shorts and started climbing bare foot. One by one we clambered to the top and when I finally emerged I was drenched in sweat but elated I’d managed to do it. Again the view was a sight to remember and we could look out over the different villages. We spent a bit of time up there wondering around and then started the decent down which luckily wasn’t as bad. As soon as I was back I enjoyed the best bucket shower ever. I think I've had my fair share of climbing now but at least its keeping me fit, even if it is in the baking sun. 

Looking forward to Banana Island now.