Please send me 5,000 of them trousers without pockets…

I had to laugh when I heard about this on the news… they should take out the zippers as well. LOL. Surely Lungi is not as bad… surely…

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Nepal bans airline staff pockets

Officials said there were growing reports of bribe-taking at the airport

Staff at Nepal's main international airport are to be issued with trousers without pockets, in an attempt to wipe out rampant bribe-taking.

The country's anti-corruption body said there had been growing complaints about staff at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan airport.

A spokesman said trousers without pockets would help the authorities "curb the irregularities".

The move comes after the prime minister of Nepal said corruption was damaging the airport's reputation, AFP reported.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) said it had sent a team to the airport to "observe the growing complaints about the behaviour of airport authorities and workers towards travellers".

"We discovered that the reports were true," spokesman Ishwori Prasad Paudyal told the AFP news agency.

"So we decided that airport officials should be given trousers with no pockets."

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Nepal bans airline staff pockets

If I had a cane…

I’d probably have used it. Seriously, this dude is casually emptying his trash over Savage St bridge as if it’s the new ‘bommeh’. We really need to take responsibility for our actions. Next time you’re passing through the Savage St Bridge, have a peek over the bridge. Either side.

Dispatches from Salone: Stories I Like to Tell Part II – My Friendly Airport Security Lady

This is from one of my favourite blogs on Sierra Leone, read on about Airport Security. Salone Style…

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Dispatches from Salone: Stories I Like to Tell Part II – My Friendly Airport Security Lady

This is the second installment of Stories I Like to Tell About Sierra Leone. (Also check out the first one, about my friendly corrupt policemen.) If you are a blood relative, close friend, or have bought me a drink anytime over the last year, you’ve probably heard this story already. Sorry. 

If, however, you are one of the 3 people who read this blog despite having no personal obligation to do so, read on!

To preface the story, I must describe a bit about Lungi Airport, Sierra Leone’s national airport and gateway for the small number of tourists the country has begun to attract, thanks to – as Tony Blair wrote after a recent visit – its “unspoilt beaches, beautiful tropical islands, world-class fishing and diving, and a rich cultural and historical legacy.”

Freetown City Council clears out streets..

On one hand you think, ‘how sad’. Then again you think why would anyone open up shop along a public pavement then refuse to remove it and disregard all warnings and advice to do so.

The streets should be a lot more sane if street traders were removed from their place of business but then again, I guess the Council has to give them an alternative place to trade from and insist on them using it. Now the skeptic amongst us acknowledge that this has all being done before. “They will be back”. They said the same of the beach bars and so far, not yet. Can’t fault the Council for trying.

Journey to the Lakes: My Journey to the Lakes - Tuesday 3rd – Thursday 5th February

This is a blog from a good friend of mine who was very instrumental in the days before VSL was born. She even loaned me her Lonely Planet, Sri Lanka guide for some inspiration. She is finally satisfying her passion to see more of Sierra Leone! More power to you. By the way, the Sri Lanka guide is in good condition and I promise to return it soon. Honest.

Enjoy…

Journey to the Lakes: My Journey to the Lakes - Tuesday 3rd – Thursday 5th February