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Serrekunda Travel Blogs

Background: The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965; it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early 2002. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH, the leader of the coup, has been elected president in all subsequent elections.

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By Bjorndahl
July 17th 2009

DA Gambia Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Serrekunda

My Only Picture of The Gambia
Out a car window, not very exciting

Ok, so Travelblog just attempted to auto-save my really long update, but then the browser crashed, and there was no saving. Lame. So I won't be rewritting all i just wrote. Left Dakar at 6am, avoided most of the traffic jams, but not all. Car broke down in Kaolak, and so I got to see a bit of an untouristy Senegalize city. It was ok. Still children everywhere asking for money. Crossed the border with no problems (though it is the first time anyone has checked inside my bag). Got to Banjul and found out that the Guinea consulate has moved. [View Full Entry]

By al gal
April 7th 2008

The one where I need nurishment Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Serrekunda

I am seriously hungry right now, and have been for the past week. It’s a pretty viable assumption that I probably have a tropical parasite in my tummy eating all my food and giving me the runs. My friend had this problem while living in Mexico, and the local solution for her was to not eat for 2 days, to starve the little critters, and then drink vodka, to get them drunk and confused and kill them. It worked for her, so if my problem persists I’ll give it a go. In homage to my hunger, I would like to share [View Full Entry]

By pnltravels
April 1st 2008

Enjoying the Smiling Coast Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Serrekunda

Le Paradise Kafountine
Our own private Paradise in Kafountine.

After one night in Ziguinchor, where a large spider in the bathroom had me awake most of the night, we made our way to Kafountine, in the northern Casamance. We checked into another paradise - this time 'Le Paradise'. We were the only travellers staying here, and a couple of local fellows who we saw only briefly. It was like having the whole place to ourselves! The owner, Eve, claimed that the beach was 200m away and the town 800m. We found the town alright, but the beach was a lot longer away than 200m for us - we must have [View Full Entry]

By al gal
March 28th 2008

The one about Amaretch Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Serrekunda

I am reading a wonderful book at the current called “The White Man’s Burden: Why The West’s Efforts to Aid The Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good”, written by William Easterly. I’d like to share an excerpt from his book that I found to be particularly moving in my world, and hopefully yours. “I am driving out of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to the countryside. An endless line of women and girls is marching in the opposite direction, into the city. They range from nine to fifty-nine. Each one is bent nearly double under a load of firewood. [View Full Entry]

By al gal
March 28th 2008

The one where I get questioned Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Serrekunda

For some queer reason I have been frequently getting the “What do you want to do with your life/ what are your career goals” question lately. I usually stare at the person with glazed over eyes and drool hanging off my chin in response. I usually don’t have much to say, and when I do say something, people look at me like I’m not ambitious enough, that I won’t amount to anything. What they are really saying, in their deepest gut, is, “Well why don’t you want to be successful and make a good living for yourself?” These life questions usually [View Full Entry]

By al gal
March 4th 2008

The one where I ka-ka-kamoonicate Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Serrekunda

I got to thinking about communication, and if understanding every part of language is really vital. Could fluent communication perhaps take away some beauty that lies in body language, eye contact, and understanding a person in other ways? I live in the modern day tower of babble. English is Gambia’s official language, because it was forced that way from colonialization (thumbs down). However, there are about seven tribes here that speak their own languages, as well as an increasing population of French speakers from Guinea Bissau and Senegal. And let’s clarify English here for a s [View Full Entry]

By al gal
January 20th 2008

The one where I sweat Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Serrekunda

After 2 long days of mind-blowing travel, I have finally arrived. The journey started out in DC, then I flew to London for a small lay-over, and then to Madrid for the most tummultuous and angry 11 hour lay over ever. After being charged an extra 650 dollars to check our bags through SpanAir, Julia and I were thouroughly pissed. We arrived in Gambia at 2 am on friday, and surprise surpise, our ride wasnt there. The intention from my friends to pick us up at the airport was completly honorable, except they thought we were coming on saturday. With no [View Full Entry]

By al gal
January 11th 2008

The one where I wait Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Serrekunda

Life is funny sometimes. Jacked-up, but funny. I have been preparing for my move to The Gambia for several months now. The night before I was supposed to be in they sky, my friend who I was traveling with got real sick. Many phone calls, and a stupid re-booking fee later, our flight was postponed for a week. I've been walking around the house the past couple of days looking like a bag lady who should be pushing shopping bags in a grocery cart and barking. However, this next week I have before I leave gave me more time to do [View Full Entry]

By Loora
February 22nd 2007

"It's Nice to Be Nice"--Daily Life in The Gambia Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Serrekunda

A Street in Jeshwang
Part of my route to get to school everyday

My title is one of Gambians' favorite sayings. It's true for them--they're very friendly. Wherever I'm walking to, it's guaranteed that at least 4 adults say "Hah-lo" or "How ah you?" as I walk past. It's too much at first, but now I'm used to it. Some days it gets annoying, but it actually is nice to connect with people, especially the ones I walk past everyday. On the other hand, random guys come up to us and ask us how our holiday is, where we're from, where we're staying, what our name is. It's best to have a made-up name [View Full Entry]

By Loora
February 6th 2007

We Made it to Africa! Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Serrekunda

On the Plane
On our way to Paris!

Well, I have way too much to say in one entry, so I'll try to start from the beginning. Basically, it took us a really long time to get here, and we got very little sleep. When we got to Dakar, Senegal, it was nighttime. We stepped out of the plane. It was humid and it smelled like smoke. The ground was packed sand. Immediately, I knew I was in Africa, even though I didn't really believe it. It smelled like I thought Africa would smell. Once we got through customs was when we really realized we were in Africa. It [View Full Entry]

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