KATHMANDU BABY

Its very hot in Matagelema. There is no electricity supply. The ceiling in the room we are staying in is very low, there’s only one window and it feels like an oven. I can’t drink my packaged water from Freetown fast enough. I can’t drink the local stuff, it’s a shame care international have made a great well here.

But then I need to use the ‘faciliities’. Its dark and I forgot to pack my torch: mistake number one.

We find a spare one and set off to the structure outside with a ‘toilet’ inside.

I am confronted by; a built up hole, a not great smell and a teeming mound of cock roaches. It reminds me of a scene in Indiana Jones involving copious amounts of insects that make your skin crawl. Of course nature dictates (and after some spraying of anti cockroach) I use the facilities.

I try and work out how I can get through the next fourteen days without having to go to the toilet ever again. I ponder on this one whilst downing as much water as I can. My knee is a raging blister and I feel just a bit hot.