Right well the spaghetti was great, hope your dinner was equally good. The Gazelle beer slipped down nicely too
Now, where was I? Oh yes, skulking in the corner while Omar was ripping shreds off these two benighted Frenchmen. That didn't work as Omar worked out I was a little quicker off the mark than them and asked me about them!
Anyway he gave them a 15 day extension (which was of limited use for them as they want to spend a month!) and sent them off, chastened, to queue for payment etc.
Then he turned his attention to me and I might just have let slip that I was a former director general of the UK's equivalent organisation. Suddenly life got a lot simpler and I was introduced to the local head man in his plush office and before I knew it I had my papers stamped and was on my way, along with Omar's official business card just in case. I also managed to blag a paper clip off him! Before you wonder whether my 6 years in the civil service turned me into a paper clip collector, there is a simpler explanation: I needed one to open my iPhone to put in the Orange SIM!
And they didn't ask to see my driver's licence
!
I headed off, leaving the Frenchmen in the queue outside shaking their heads.
Soon enough Home at viavia hostel in Toff, I restored my strength with a banana sandwich (lunch had again been missed in the various wild goose chases of the day) before turning my attention to the new sim.
As I feared, my iPhone turned out to be what Drumacoon Lad calls ‘the spawn of the devil’ and refused to play nicely with my new SIM.
I found someone under 30 at the hostel and despite all his magic we couldn't get it tinwork - and the local phone shop said it would take a week to unlock it !
So as time was scarce (and smartphone are Reputedly cheaper in Mali) I splashed out €15 on an old-timer phone so at least I can make calls
I am enjoying the retro experience...And it is so light and simple. HopefuI won't need to use it in anger!
I am ending the day with the 3 live musicians (drum guitar and vocals) who were also here last night and it is a fitting end to a good day.
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