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jambo
3300 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Jul 2006 : 22:47:38
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please visit this web site
http://www.westafricantours.com/index.php?page=Excursion_List
look at the cost to go to senegal and then look at the cost to go to Janjangbureh.  This pries are so off putting for people who want to explore the country. £190.00  I could buy a car for that amount. 
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2006 : 22:57:52
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I believe the bumpster problem is as a result of the tourist trying to avoid costs and dealing with local and unregistered guides.
The reason why the bumpster problem is still with us is because there is still a demand for their services otherwise they would have disappeared since. |
Edited by - kondorong on 24 Aug 2006 23:23:05 |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 25 Aug 2006 : 13:17:13
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Kons, you have a point, but remember this, it is expensive to deal with the tour operators, it is the nature of the travellers to make a deal with the local taxi man or local driver.
have you seen some of the prices they charge for tours, the official guides that is. If that monoply on prices was reduced it would help the official guides. TOO MUCH UNION, it is £120 to go to Basse for one person.
The bumsters should be told do not approach the tourists, if i approach them i take the risk if they approach me it is harrasment.
Not sure when you last were in Senegambia, but during the height of the season, to see them in action is unnerving.
Yes you can say no, but why should you have to.
Morocco and Egypt both outlawed this because they were loosing tourist trade becase people talk to tour operators and complain.
secondly the european press pick on a negative story and print it. people read it and think its the way things are.
Last week in the Daily mail there was a story about a white lady who married a gambian, piad for everything, car, compound, wedding. brought him to england he knows has his visa and left her. ME i think she was a fool, not to know that she might get ripped off.
BUT some people might just read it and think negative.
Also some of these bumsters are not Gambians, that is the problem, that for me is a big issue. Some many are senegalese, liberian, or guinean.
Most tourists just think it is Gambians ripping them off but it is not.
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jojo
United Kingdom
40 Posts |
Posted - 25 Aug 2006 : 14:03:18
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| I've got mixed feelings about the bumpsters. Some do find them very off putting and say they would never go to the Gambia again. The first time I took my friend to Fajara we had an awful experience. My favourite trick to get rid of them is to say the phrase in Mandinka - 'rudeness is not good' which a friend taught me. And they ARE very rude, sometimes you can't even talk to your friends. Sometimes, though, I have asked to go somewhere, around the market, (needed my specs repaired once) and they have been brilliant. I was talking to a teacher, and he said in his student days, short of cash, his friend persuaded him to go to Koloi, just to get money from the tourists. He did it, and got money, but was so ashamed, he never went again. I think it is something that should be taught in schools. Gambians should always be too proud to beg and harass. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 25 Aug 2006 : 14:31:42
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jojo, i agree that sometimes you can't talk without them interrupting.
definately money is an issue, if the prices were lowered then I would happily use the authorised guides outside the hotel at least they are gambian. The tours set up by the operators are extornate. I think it is taught in schools but its a catch 22 situation, easy money game. If there were more jobs for the locals then the good gambians would not be bumsters.
Still maintain the rude ones are not gambians, secondly there is a money laundering gang from nigeria who operate in senegambia and i wish the pokice would remove them.
Kons, ask your self this, why do we need there services? and surely they are squatting on the guides terrority?
i am thinking of a legitimate business ie the guides sitting opposite the bumsters, who are illegal, you go figure it does not make sense. I could not use them if they were not there? |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2006 : 12:09:21
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My advice: stay at Kotu at Palm Beach. They have good security and you are straight to the beach. Of course people stop you. I am friendly, polite but firm. I chose one bumster to help in business and the other locals know that, I have respect because I am helping one of them and they know you cant help everyone.
Sometimes you need to take a risk on people and trust your instincts. Make sure they ARE GAMBIAN. I have always felt safe with GAmbian people. Some of my best adventures have been with a bumster guide!
MOst of these people are genuinely very poor, even by Gambian standards. They have very few possessions and some days dont eat. They live in very basic share accommodation, often sleeping on the floor.
Any policies that are made for the sake of the tourists will affect these people and their needs need to be taken into account when making decisions. They are very vunerable.
If they are persistent it is because they are desperate. |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2006 : 13:46:03
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| You are able to see both sides, gambiabev. Thank you for that. |
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LEMON TIME
Afghanistan
1295 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2006 : 16:12:16
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quote:
Originally posted by jambo
jojo, i agree that sometimes you can't talk without them interrupting.
definately money is an issue, if the prices were lowered then I would happily use the authorised guides outside the hotel at least they are gambian. The tours set up by the operators are extornate. I think it is taught in schools but its a catch 22 situation, easy money game. If there were more jobs for the locals then the good gambians would not be bumsters.
Still maintain the rude ones are not gambians, secondly there is a money laundering gang from nigeria who operate in senegambia and i wish the pokice would remove them.
Kons, ask your self this, why do we need there services? and surely they are squatting on the guides terrority?
i am thinking of a legitimate business ie the guides sitting opposite the bumsters, who are illegal, you go figure it does not make sense. I could not use them if they were not there?
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LEMON TIME
Afghanistan
1295 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2006 : 16:13:49
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| Jambo you make a very good point. |
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