Our first foray into filming our journey – hence the name ‘Wobbly Productions’!
Kalaji Village was in such an idyllic setting – our tents were pitched in the middle of a big peaceful pasture, under a huge tree (perfect for shade against the midday sun). Neil and Paddy, the donkeys, loved it too as they had the whole field to graze from. That was until the herd of cattle returned home to pasture later in the day. If donkeys are capable of expression, I would say that their look was pure bemusement, at being surrounded by about 100 cows and bulls! And they, in return, equally bemused by the interlopers in their field!
We then realised that the tree was the only real shade in the village and, something we should have known by that point, its where the whole village congregate to sit and chew the fat at the end of their working day. So, along they came, little by little, until our camp site was surrounded by very voiciferous, curious kids and adults alike. They brought their wooden benches and stools, plastic chairs and, in one case, a women brought her sewing and another two women sat and plaited each other hair. We became the amusement well into the darkness of the evening, like a real life reality tv show!
Its one of the villages that really sticks out for us both from the whole journey. Gambians are truly the most hospitable people.
Ok, over to Wobbly Productions (excuse the amateur filming in advance – we did get better as time went on. Honestly!)
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=438393635711&ref=mf
The Alkalo's of Kalaji Village - L-R: Landing Jammeh, Julu Sanyang, The Gambia, W Africa
Image: Florio-2009 (taken from ‘a 930km African odyssey’ series of portraits and alkalo’s – more at www.floriophoto.com)
Neil and Paddy ain’t seen nothing yet!
Neil and Paddy meet the first one of the herd, whilst Florio watches on, Kalaji, The Gambia, W Africa
Image: Jones-2009-Gambia
Neil “my, what big horns you have!!” The herd start to move in…….
The cows (and bulls!) are coming home!! Kalaji village, The Gambia, W Africa
Image: Jones-2009-Gambia
And here come the kids!
The Kalaji kids, The Gambia, W Africa
Image: Jones-2009-Gambia
