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| This is how I roll..... |
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| Elhaji wants an i-phone too |
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| Kids can fall asleep anywhere |
After thirteen hours in the air with a 3 hour layover in Belgium, multiple bottles of airplane vino and an uncomfortable nap (quite the opposite of my little fewllow passenger there) I arrive safely on the island of Lungi, Sierra Leone's airport base. From here it's on to the main city of Freetown. It ain't JFK airport more like Madagascar2.
It is equipped with the bare essentials which may or may not be funtional on any given day. I went through customs and headed outside to find my first host and transporter, Elhaji who is to ensure that I get to Freetown in one piece. Next, I'm bused a few yards away to an ex-military chopper. You can also take a boat or water taxi to Freetown and pay a fraction of the cost, but today I'm rolling in style.
Choppers and choppy stomachs
Approximately 12 passengers, mostly NGO personnel, and international govn't officals were crammed in along with their luggae for take-off. The Russian pilots explain that the ride would be a smooth 7 minutes long.I sat by a window that was jokingly (I think) designated as an emergency exit & stuck my head out the window for the majority of the 7 minutes while checking on another passenger who was nauseous and close to collapse (he looked green). Noticing how giddy I was, someone asked , "Is this your first helicopter ride?" Disgracefully and with all 30 some-odd of my teeth showing I squealled, "YES!" gushing just enough to nauseate the remaining passengers who simply rolled their eyes before tuning me out. I'm so uncouth but I got some great shots -
