Wednesday, 29 December 2010
9 Days Before Challenge Start
Death is Imminent.
She sits there in her white coat with her best pokerface on as she breaks the news to me. The doctors voice is a flat, dull tone. Likely the same used to tell families a loved one has passed away.
"If you get Yellow Fever, you will die. If you get Hepatitis A you will get sick and die. Same for Hepatitis B. If you get Typhoid you will die. If you get Rabies, you will die. If you get Polio you will die. If you get bit by mosquitos in the morning you will get Dengue fever and die. If you get bit by mosquitos in the evening, you will get a plethora of other diseases and die. If you swim in standing water, you will get worms and you will die. If you walk around bare foot, you get will get worms and die. You could also get Malaria. And die. You will get diarrhoea. Don't put your penis in anything because you will get HIV, your man-bits will fall off and you will, of course, die."
She may not have said that last part.
Never-the-less, its all most certainly true. I walked away with a sore arm, a dozen needle marks in my shoulder and brushed off the warnings of imminent death. Until I read the internet.
It's called a "travel advice" website, but I'm not sure if it's so much advice as it is a warning. Of impending death. Morocco is listed at the third highest warning level: "Exercise High degree of Caution" as are Senegal and The Gambia. Not so bad then. Until you read about Mauritania and Western Sahara; they are listed as Do Not Travel.
- "We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Mauritania at this time due to the unpredictable security situation and high threat of terrorist attack including kidnapping.
- There is a high threat of terrorist attack in Mauritania. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
- There is an ongoing high threat of kidnapping against Westerners in the north and west regions of Africa, including places frequented by foreigners in Nouakchott and Atar. Credible information indicates that terrorists are planning to kidnap and possibly kill westerners in northern Mali and remote and desert areas of Mauritania, southern Algeria and Niger. A stream of credible reporting suggests that terrorists may be planning to kidnap Western tourists, mine workers, oil workers and aid workers in Mauritania. You should maintain a high level of vigilance at all times when travelling in Mauritania and avoid unnecessary travel in remote areas.
- In July 2010, Mauritanian military forces, with French technical assistance, broke up a terrorist camp in Northern Mali. Retaliatory attacks on Western targets may be conducted by al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Mauritanian military operations in Mali are continuing.
- Westerners should take increased security precautions when in their homes or cars and watch for any suspicious or unusual activity. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
- We strongly advise you not to travel to the border areas with Mali, Algeria and Western Sahara because of the risk of extremist groups, banditry and the activities of armed smugglers."
Wonderful. Perhaps Chris was onto something when he opted out for this Season.
