Hey guys. I’m safely in Conakry, after a nerve wracking fligt on SLAK air. My fears of slackness on their part were unfounded it seems.

 Immediately on arrival in the airport we were ripped off changing money and then on a taxi to Famoudou’s. There was nearly a fight over us and all as a undercover security guy over heard the price we were being charged and as we were driving away was screaming at the guy to stop and they shouted and argued.

I was about to get out the car, when he insisted on coming with us. He brought the taxi men (2) into Famoudou’s compound, where Famoudou gave them a boloking and gave all the money to the security guy to distribute.

Later that day I nearly got taken for a ride again on some local clothes. Long story short I neary paid 100000francs 12. euro for something and the tailor was only getting 6000 and the mediator 94000, only I thought the mediator was the tailor and blah blah blah.

It’s difficult to get used to being in a compound with so many people. There’s no space really and after being nearly burnt on the clothes, I have an underlying feeling that everyones out for my money.

Hopefully it’s just taking some time to adjust and things will improve.

We’ve been drumming 2 days learning Dundunbe, which is from the region in Guinea where Famoudou is from. He is very knowledgeable and such a character. He’s so much nicer than I expected even though I had no expectations… A legend!

The buzz here in Conakry is very different to Gambia. This is definitely real Africa. Life is hard for people here and everything has a look of decline on it.

Banking is impossible here. I learnt another lesson this week. Cash is king. I though I could get a visa advance here because it was a bank holiday when I left Gambia… no. Not the case. I can only draw 70 euro a day from the ATM which is not enough for what I want.

There’s some amazing djembe’s for sale in Famoudou’s house, but they’re about 75 euro each. I may look around town today to see if I can find somewhere without Famoudou Tax.

Anyway… live long and prosper!