ATM part 2 & 3

Before getting on with the rest of the week, I didn't want to leave the reader with an atm cliff-hanger.  Monday, back at the office, I explained my cash predicament and found out that obtaining cash over the weekend was a problem for the entire city.  One of the drivers took me to a bank with an ATM that was trust-worthy.  It was working as evidenced by the five people ahead of me in line and a line of 30 people inside.  The atm ran out of money but was soon reloaded.  Assuming because of demand, I was only allowed to take out a certain amount which was enough to pay for the driver from the weekend but would not cover the rest of the week. The largest bill is 10,000 Le which is about $1.50.  To pay a $30 driver bill, you end up with a stack of cash.

Fast forward to Wednesday (today).  A day before checking out, I attempted to pay my food bill at the hotel but the card machine wouldn't connect.  So not wanting to revisit my departure from Arusha, I had the driver take me to the same atm.  The plus side of these outings was I got mini tours of Freetown including a drive past the dilapidated government run university.  Freetown is a fascinating city with its mix of shanty, rundown wooden houses reminiscent of colonial days, stone buildings and new construction.  We drove by the prison which is smack-dab in the middle of town.  The driver said they've been discussing moving it for decades but nothing has happened despite inmates occasionally escaping.

I am paid up and ready to leave tomorrow!