Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Ramadas destroyed...


On Friday afternoons at around 530pm our expat team can frequently be found at Ramadas Beach Bar on Lumley beach- just a walk, run or drive from the clinic. That was, until this week. Because just today, almost all of the beach bars were destroyed. Apparently they were given a 30 day warning- and the reason they were destroyed had to do with the tourist board not wanting them there, and whether or not they own the land legally etc etc. Apparently it was quite chaotic on the beach this afternoon. I'm not suprised. It's hard to get to the bottom of it. But the bottom line for us is "NO MORE RAMADAS".

It's a shame really because what better way to end the week? Starting the weekend with a stroll along the beach and then ending up at Ramadas to sit, relax, enjoy a pint of coke, savour the roasted peanuts, chat with each other, watch the vendors go by, admiring the impending sunset. I guess we will find another way to welcome the weekend, but it won't be quite the same. Maybe a swim in the local pool, or a drink at one of the 2 remaining beach bars (if they stay up!) Or we may just end up taking a cooler with drinks to the old Ramadas site, and protest a bit while we're at it. I'm sure we'll find someway to finish off our Fridays well...

2 comments:

The Dog of Freetown said...

It's really sad. I was chatting to the owners a couple of weeks ago who were certain this wouldn't happen. Successful, income generating businesses, helping to attract tourism. It makes no sense removing them for "beach improvements" which are beyond the budget anyway.
Ramadas was perfect as it was, and the staff were great. Beach looks like a tornado hit it now. It's only a bar I suppose, but it was such a little haven. I want it back!

genae said...

i'm not exactly sure the logic behind this...what about tearing down people's livelihoods, in a country where so few people have reliable incomes anyways, makes sense? what did these people have to do after the government tore down their jobs?

~ Act Justly. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly. micah 6:8 ~