'Mummy, can I phone the pirates?'

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

One of the biggest frustrations facing journalists is being unable to get through to people on the phone. But as Mary Harper discovered, contacting the Somali pirates on the Sirius Star turned out to be child's play.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own _correspondent/7754622.stm

[Jacaylbaro]

"Let's try now," said producer Said Musa, who, dare I say it, looks a bit like a pirate himself. He has a wild look about him with flashing eyes and a swashbuckling saunter.

 

 

Despite their concerns about what may be happening back at home, the people in the Somali Service are the most hilarious, irreverent bunch of people in the building.

 

They smoke like chimneys, and laugh uproariously at the most unsuitable jokes.

 

They tease me mercilessly. I was worth dozens of camels when I first arrived at the BBC as a fresh-faced young woman, they say, while now I may only be worth one or two camels, or maybe just a half.

I'm sure she will come back more often then ,,,,