Elective planning ____________________________________________
At some stage of medical school you most likely signed up to the Medical Defence Union; if you hadn't, do it now! They will give you full free indemnity for your elective. You will also be able to use their free elective service The Electives Network (TEN). This includes previous students' reports, a medical school search facility, discounts from companies you are actually likely to use, and lots of practical advice for all stages of the experience. They also have a forum but there are not enough active posters at the time of writing. If you need to discuss your elective and do not have good support within your reportoire of contacts, try the doctors.net forums which have an active, helpful readership.
Guides ___________________________________________________
Books from series such as Rough Guides, Bradt and Lonely Planet are invaluable for extended periods of stay in an unfamiliar country. The latter is available with a 15% discount for MDU members but the latest edition was published in September 2002. I like the sound of Michael Tomkinson's Gambia.
http://website.lineone.net/~gambiagts/DirX.htm Practical maps drawn by a traveller who couldn't find any prepared e.g. of bus routes and fares.
http://www.actionaid-gambia.org/visitors_guide.htm General info.
By the way, if you're planning an elective elsewhere, the Medical Protection Society offer a 30% discount on the more popular titles in the Lonely Planet series.
Getting there ______________________________________________
http://www.thetravellerslounge.co.uk/round-the-world/roundtheworldtickets.htm
http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/Banjul/Gatwick/ You might find some cheap flights here. www.gambiaflights.co.uk Seems the most reliable way to travel from UK to The Gambia as they have been operating for 17 years. Everyone who I spoke to who has been to The Gambia from UK, including Gambian nationals, recommended them. Price includes airport taxes, passenger charges and in-flight meals.
http://www.gatwickexpress.com/
Health ___________________________________________________
The Foreign Office guide has a wealth of vital information.
http://www.columbusguides.com/data/gmb/gmb080.asp
Money ___________________________________________________
The currency of The Gambia is the Dalasi (GMD). Current exchange rates http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic Typical rates at Bureau De Change in The Gambia are 4%.
Travellers cheques do not get as good an exchange rate as UK pounds
http://website.lineone.net/~gambiagts/ABH_2.htm. There are no restrictions on currency imports, although you will almost always get a better rate of exchange if you change your sterling, euros or dollars once you get to The Gambia. You can change your money or travellers cheques at banks (remember to take your passport or other form of ID), bureaux de change and hotels.
Standard Chartered Banks open Monday - Friday 0800- 1100 and 1600 - 1800 and 1000 - 1200 on Saturdays.
Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants but most will levy a surcharge. You can also use credit and debit cards to withdraw cash (maximum of GMD 2,000 per transaction) at one of the following ATMs (known locally as a money grab machine): Senegambia (Kololi), Bakau, Westfield Junction, Shell Petrol Station at the junction of Senegambia Highway and Kairaba Avenue. However, ATMs are prone to running out of money or temporarily shutting down due to power cuts and, as you can not draw money on your credit card across the counter at any of the banks, you should not rely on them entirely for your spending money in The Gambia. Mastercard is no longer accepted.
For good rates of exchange or if you get stuck financially whilst you are there, Mr George (and his 'girls') of IG Financial Services in Bakau (next door to the Romana Hotel) is very helpful. He can even help you to transfer money from your own bank account to The Gambia far quicker than any of the other banks there.
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