Looked After

The Gambia is such a social country. Everyone here is constantly saying "Hello" and "How's your family?" As a newcomber, poeple always want to know my name, why I'm here and where I'm from. I'm always getting high fives and "American? Wow! That's incredible!" Its flattering until you realize most people want a visa, a job and a wife, and thingk you have all of those for them somewhere in your bag.

Gambia is a stmall country, but it is the most densely populated country on the continent. It seems like everyone here knows each other. If someone wants a taxi, they simply yell out the driver's name. I was at a meeting the other day and everyone was related to each other one way or another. Also, people don't claime to be 2nd or 3rd cousins, if there is any relation they just claim to be an uncle, cousin or niece. This social network and strong family bonds is a huge reason you don't see a lot of international adoptions out of Africa, everyone belongs somewhere.

I have been so blessed to find my little family in Africa. Everyone at my apartment compound looks after me vigiantly. My Spanish and Belgian neighbors are both men with children my age and they are constantly calling to make sure that I'm not going to be out too late. My malaria medicine makes me suburn easily and I'm always getting in trouble from them for not wearing a hat or stronger sunscreen. There are 4 young African men who work at the compound who are always taking me places that I don't know how to get to. There is also a med student, Mafu, whose little brother and sister-in-law are here visiting. Mafu has taken it upon herself to make sure that all three of us have an incredible stay and see as much of the Gambia as possible. She took us to see her "Gambian family" yesterday and that was so neat to see how people took her under their wing when she moved here 3 years ago. (Mafu is from Cameroon."

One thing I have learned here is flexibility is key. At home, if I make plans I 100% intend to do them and I expect that everything will go smoothly. For example, if I decide to go to the lake I expect that I will have no trouble with my car, no issue getting food or money to take, and everyone who says they will come will be there. Africa is a completely different storty. This weekend I was planning on going on a Safari, then my tour guide's phone wasn't working so I couldn't talk to him until the night before. He couldn't get a vehicle to take us and his was broken. Then the friends I was planning on going with backed out. My "family" at the apartment has taught me, its no big deal when that happens, simply do something else. I really try not to depend too heavily on any schedule or any plans because things never seem to work or go exactly as I planned and I would probably be dissapointed all the time if I had a strict schedule. I think every American should have to live in a third world country for a month and then getting Ranch dressing instead of honey mustard on their salad wouldn't seem like such a travesty. People here are still so happy and joyful just to be alive and with the people that they love. We certainly have a lot to learn from our brothers and sisters throughout the world!