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tapalapa
United Kingdom
202 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Jan 2008 : 15:20:11
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Upon my return to the UK recently, I had my Ipod and a video stolen from my suitcase
The video was o the service at Winners Chapel on Christmas Day called "The significance o Christmas" (another story)
My friend also had her Camera and Knickers stolen ! She had tied her zip together with wire but this had been removed.
I am saying the incident happened at Banjul as opposed to Manchester Airport as I dont think there would have been enough time to go into Suitcases at Manchester
Be warned !
Tapa
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2008 : 18:44:27
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| Its always wise to carry valuables in hand luggage if possible. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2008 : 15:43:12
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step one lock suitcase, step two do not put valuables in case, step three, CRY LONG AND HARD, step four, try and get money back from instuance company    
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lurker
509 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2008 : 16:22:59
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sorry to hear this tapalapa. you will forgive me for beginning to despair for gambia a little bit. these kinds of scams and stories are now the items of news these days . less and less of the good stuff and more and more of the petty crime, corruption and general deterioration of gambian morals from the happy, loveable culture that used to pervade. is this just an increased reportage of existing levels of nonsense or is the level of crime and mischief and general cynicism rising rapidly and reaching levels we see in europe?
problem is, once this "way of life" becomes so endemic, it can and never will be reversible.
gambia , it seems to me, in its haste to "have " the way of life it sees in the media , is slipping into a nasty little cycle of petty crime and endemic corruption and treating every non-gambian (and even gambian) as a target.
if it is any consolation, iwent on a 4 week safari in the wildest parts of africa in 1995 and my case with everything in it never made it from joburg to vic falls on day 1, and i had 4 weeks in the same jeans.!
never saw it again. some thief in joburg is looking damn smart in my clothes!
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Edited by - lurker on 22 Jan 2008 16:27:54 |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2008 : 19:10:08
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No Excuse I know,BUT if you have,
No Hope, 
No Money,
NO Chance
NO Possibility of getting caught
NO Justice
UNDERSTANDABLE  |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2008 : 20:00:05
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As in all countries, there will be some poor people that take the easy route and soem that take the hard route.
Being honest and poor isn't easy, especially if temptations are put in peoples way.
But it is the same the world over, some people are resolutely honest no matter what and some are tempted.
When someone is poor and in need the temptation is understandable, but not excusable.
People work hard for their belongings and should not be seen as fair pickings.
Many Gambia men I have met have NO comprehension of how hard I work, how stressful it is and how expensive UK is.
They seem to think, you have it easy so give it to me.
I have had people ask me for my phone, camera, shoes etc...all are told NO!
They are not easily replaced for me. |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2008 : 21:24:50
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Exactly!
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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molly75
United Kingdom
86 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2008 : 19:27:56
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Im very sorry to hear about your valuables getting stolen Tapalapa. The same thing happened to my family 2 years ago, my daughters phone and my sons charger were stolen from a suitcase (the charger was not compatible with the stolen phone, so the thief lost out too!!!).
I heard from a gambian friend that thefts from tourist bags at Banjul airport is a frequent occurrance. So if anyone has any valuables keep them in your hand luggage and use a good lock on your suitcase.
It makes me so angry though! The Gambian people receive so many gifts from tourists yet some still feel the need to steal! |
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tapalapa
United Kingdom
202 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2008 : 13:38:22
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Thanks Molly........
Yes the thief missed out because only my ipod was stolen .........s/he left the docking station and charger !
I will certainly lock up and put valuables in my hand luggage.
Hey all my beautiful carvings were still in the case, ipods can be replaced but these lovely gems made it to the UK
Best wishes
Tapa |
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molly75
United Kingdom
86 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 11:46:43
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| Tapa, im happy to hear that your carvings made it back to the uk. I completely agree that ipods etc can be replaced, but these lovely crafts are unique! Unfortunately some people in Gambia only value electrial items. Its difficult to believe when some people don't even have decent shoes, yet they still have a top of the range mobile!!! some peoples priorities are all wrong. |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 11:57:33
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In our view Molly, in our view..
Maybe it's better to call them 'strange' instead of wrong. |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 12:12:15
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barefoot, came before shoes, if i have a phone that opens a lot of doors, look at the posting for new bank. I have learnt that it the way of world, i value shoes on the feet, but they value being in touch with the world more important.
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2008 : 17:41:36
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Anna, not even strange, just different.
Mobile phones and internet are speeding up the pace of communication across Africa, missing out the development stage of land lines almost altogether. I think it is FANTASTIC! |
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molly75
United Kingdom
86 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2008 : 13:43:15
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I see your point about mobiles being a good source of communication and access to new areas! I agree that they can be a good thing, but the shoes/phone was only an example. Any sort of expensive electrical item is valued in The Gambia and the need for these items seems to be replacing the values that some people had.
I have been travelling to the Gambia for over 10 years and i have seen the place change so much and not always for the better. Many people are now more money/material focused than family/value focused. Maybe this is the downside of tourism? The Gambian people are maybe becoming more 'European' in nature, which can bring problems brought on by greed, such as stealing at the airport!!! |
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leokat
United Kingdom
123 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2008 : 14:13:10
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quote:
Originally posted by tapalapa
Upon my return to the UK recently, I had my Ipod and a video stolen from my suitcase ....
It's not just the airport.
I've lost count of the items I've sent to The Gambia that get 'lost' in the post. Last November I asked my daughter to post a letter for me. She inadvertently forgot to send it 'signed for' as it was of little value. It wasn't the small amount of money that went missing which upset me but the fact that someone might have read a very personal letter.  In addition, over the past two years my daughter and I have sent several other letters, a mobile phone and various small trinkets which were which have also 'gone missing.' Moreover my b/f has been asked on several occasions to 'show his gratitude' for receiving items.
The week before Christmas my b/f texted me to tell me that a whole heap of opened items of post had been found disguarded on the streets of Banjul. Apparently, included in this were a letter intended for a fairly high ranking police officer which contained £100 from friends towards the officer's Tobaski celebrations and a letter intended for a woman who actually works at the post office which contained £20.
As has already been said poor people will sometimes do desperate things. I can also understand how people working at the post office might feel jealous when they see the amount of things which are sent to Gambians with family and friends in Europe and the USA. However, that it no excuse for the systematic theft and corruption which seems to exist at Banjul post office.
As for the airport - I'm off to buy two luggage locks! This isn't really a suitable solution though. It was only two years ago that I took the locks off my suitcases because I'd heard that, following the terror attacks, suitcases were being 'legitimately' broken into by airport staff. The result potentially; a broken suitcase AND missing items.
Ah well - less than three weeks now and I'll be there. I'm not going to let anything spoil it  |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2008 : 17:30:07
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| As I understand it "signed for" letters are only effective within the UK. they don't extend to abroad (check the SMa.....................ll PR.................int. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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