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Western Division 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 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

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 30th 2008

The one where I am a victim of a practical joke Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Kololi

I live in a compound with two other families. There are 3 houses (one being mine), and the other’s belong to Gambians…very domestic and traditional Gambians. Pretty much the day I moved in they expressed their concerns to me and my roommate, Julia, that we were not fit to clean an African house, and urged us to hire a maid ASAP. These people are very lovely, but are completely up in our business. They peer in my bedroom window just to see what’s up. Usually nothing besides my nudity and possibly some dance exercise to David Bowie. They knock on my [View Full Entry]

By al gal
March 30th 2008

The one where I love... Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Kololi

When I get in a funky mood, and feel pissed about something, I like to write a list of things I love. It’s a nice way to appreciate the simple things in life that make you happy. I wrote this last week: 1. my current fingernail polish (adds a little sparkle to my writing routine) 2. my family and my home girls 3. Seeing old couples who wear matching outfits and hold hands. 4. When my cat sits on my lap when I use the toilet. 5. Tomatoes 6. Walking around the house in my underpants…especially cooking in my underpants. It [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 17th 2008

The one where I am loved by strange men Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Kololi

I’ve been putting a lot of thought recently into the Gambian bumster situation. Allow me to pause and explain bumsters for your full enjoyment. A bumster is a young Gambian man, typically with “rasta” hair, who hangs out on the beach or on the street and tries to make friends with white people in the hopes of earning a living. These are the people that are relentless in their efforts to talk to you. Their typical greetings are “Hey boss lady, you’re looking very smart today” (smart means awesome)… “Pretty lady, won’t you give me a minute o [View Full Entry]

By al gal
March 17th 2008

I one where I set the curtains aflame Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Kololi

The electricity went out Sunday night, surprise surprise. In my time of busy work in my house, and trying to turn a paper in, I lit candles in my room to see. Not thinking about the wind, I put the candle on the table next to my bed, like I always do. I turn around to put a shirt on, and the next thing I know my curtains and my window screen were engulfed in a fiery mess. I screamed to my roommate, who conveniently happened to be listening to Gladys Night real loud in her room. After a few shrill [View Full Entry]

By robert elkins
March 6th 2008

kerssering to kafuntine Africa » Gambia » Western Division » Kololi

the trip

im not one forwriting much, only to ones i miss so much, and my yearly excursion to the hot country,felt better this time.so on this forteenth visit i ended up in kessering at a place far to expensive for me as i had a trusted friend of 10 years to find me a place, i always go flight only and pick the cheapest dates for going and return to manchester. i was to have a room in manji for 250quid or near with water and current as they say. however on arrival my mate told me someone was in it and [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]

Travel Blog » Africa » Gambia » Western Division

Western Division Travel Blogs, page 2

Western Division Travel Blogs

Gambia, The