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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Feb 2009 : 13:18:28
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Hi folks,
I back home for break from the harsh winters of the UK. I am basking in the sunshine and warmth of Gambians that i missed very much.
The cost of living is high but people are braving it. Their sources i dnt know but most probably remittances from abroad.
When you arrive newly, expectation are high. You are expected to help XYZ. But Honesty is the best policy, tell them wat you can afford and wat you can't.
Despite the hiccups am enjoying my stay.
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madiss |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2009 : 15:02:15
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| Extend our salam to everyone and enjoy my brother. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2009 : 18:25:12
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quote:
Originally posted by MADIBA
Hi folks,
I back home for break from the harsh winters of the UK. I am basking in the sunshine and warmth of Gambians that i missed very much.
The cost of living is high but people are braving it. Their sources i dnt know but most probably remittances from abroad.
When you arrive newly, expectation are high. You are expected to help XYZ. But Honesty is the best policy, tell them wat you can afford and wat you can't.
Despite the hiccups am enjoying my stay.
Pleased about that, you say"The cost of living is high but people are braving it" can you give an update of essentials, bread, potatoes ,rice ,fish and other things, OK so its not mans work to do shopping  but ask your lady and then tell us who are shivering in the cold and rain of europe
Thanks.
Tha |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2009 : 19:05:06
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Mansa i will extend your salaam brother. Gambians are still very kind, unbelievable stuff.
2bab,
Sorry to hear the terrible cold. Apparently wen i just baled out, the UK has a terrible cold and wet days and nights, even relatively warm London was not spared. I could afford the luxury putting on shorts and a t-shirt and sleep at night topless.
On commodity prices they were shocking in the begining but i have since adjusted. Bread, tapala is D5 or D4.50 they are more popular these days becos of their weight over the 'senfour'. Meat and bone D75, steak D95-D90. Some nice fish e.g croaker is one of avergae size for D25. Oranges a single one D2.50. But since am from the countryside originally, fruits and veggies are available mainly presents from folks visiting me in my Serrekunda base. Rice is btw 800-900. Tin milk D15-D25. Tin sardines D15.Ataya is D10(sugar+green tea). I have quit drinking it full-time though. Plastic bag is D1. Spray for mosquitoes is D55 dalasis. What is pathetic though is the private prescription. A simple malarial precription is between D20-D35.
Supermarkets are not the best places to shop. I found most of their prices ridicoulsy high. A basket that D200 could have filled 3yrs ago, will need D800 to fill today.
Despite all this one could afford a smile. The rate of the pound was not also very helpful. |
madiss |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2009 : 21:28:53
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madiba
How about the tourism. Are there many tourists. Do you think current financial crisis in west cause less tourists to visit gambia? Or business as usual? My relatives were telling me that there are significant decrease for the number of tourists this season.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2009 : 22:17:31
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quote:
Originally posted by MADIBA
Mansa i will extend your salaam brother. Gambians are still very kind, unbelievable stuff.
2bab,
Sorry to hear the terrible cold. Apparently wen i just baled out, the UK has a terrible cold and wet days and nights, even relatively warm London was not spared. I could afford the luxury putting on shorts and a t-shirt and sleep at night topless.
On commodity prices they were shocking in the begining but i have since adjusted. Bread, tapala is D5 or D4.50 they are more popular these days becos of their weight over the 'senfour'. Meat and bone D75, steak D95-D90. Some nice fish e.g croaker is one of avergae size for D25. Oranges a single one D2.50. But since am from the countryside originally, fruits and veggies are available mainly presents from folks visiting me in my Serrekunda base. Rice is btw 800-900. Tin milk D15-D25. Tin sardines D15.Ataya is D10(sugar+green tea). I have quit drinking it full-time though. Plastic bag is D1. Spray for mosquitoes is D55 dalasis. What is pathetic though is the private prescription. A simple malarial precription is between D20-D35.
Supermarkets are not the best places to shop. I found most of their prices ridicoulsy high. A basket that D200 could have filled 3yrs ago, will need D800 to fill today.
Despite all this one could afford a smile. The rate of the pound was not also very helpful.
Thanks, I appriciate that Ah......... yes the £ one thing is quite good though the exchange rate has remained quite steady and yes I would line to see a return to the good old days when you could get D60 to the £ and when minibus ride from Serrakunda to Banjul was D3,they won't come back I fear.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2009 : 23:18:39
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2bab
Why are you complain about minibus prices :) you are not scotish right? :) I thought that is really insignificant in terms of cost staying in Gambia. I am not speaking for gambians but for non-gambians. two significant factors in terms of costs.
- The exchange rate
- Toubab price
correct me if i am wrong. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 10 Feb 2009 23:19:45 |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2009 : 00:36:04
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Wrong how could you ever be wrong Turk Long ago Gambia was a country where (if you were lucky to escape the Hotels !)you could go far for a little money,but like EVERYWHERE in the world things have become more expensive and you have to save more to visit,that said Gambians have a hard time just surviving,whereas in western countries things are easier,even in these days of the credit crunch and raising unemployment life is more comfortable than in Gambia.Social security jobseekers allowance,and other government cushions.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 11 Feb 2009 00:36:51 |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2009 : 00:40:34
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You are right. I was just saying that exchange rate and toubab price have more signicant impact on non-gambians than the overall inflation pressure in Gambia.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2009 : 00:58:59
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| That is so, but there is a knock on effect on Gambians (or many of them)because they rely on remitances from outside Gambia to live,so if those suppling the funds for living to those Gambians lose their jobs then Gambia will feel the pinch,that's without the reduction in tourism that will undoudtedly occour with the recession in the west getting deeper,in simple terms people will not be able to afford to take holidays. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2009 : 01:49:25
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Your are right.
See 2bab, if you are on my side, you are guaranteed not to be wrong all the time.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2009 : 13:14:10
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quote:
Originally posted by turk
Your are right.
See 2bab, if you are on my side, you are guaranteed not to be wrong all the time.
Thanks, thats nice to know I had wondered sometimes on Bantaba |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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