Part 6: Sweet Community

Gambian community:

When I think about the essence of community, I think about the people of The Gambia, the small independent country nestled within Senegal, who live without many of the globalized conveniences or luxuries that we Americans are so accustomed to- readily available air conditioning, widespread fast food chains, developed roads, highly evolved technologies, branded clothing, long hot running water, large-scale department supermarket stores, etc.

Yet in place of all of these things, The Gambia possesses one of the strongest senses of community and family ties I have ever witnessed.

I think about the sweet Gambian family that graciously allowed us to stay in their rural compound full of 19 of the most vibrant kids I’ve ever seen and a whole lot of love, dancing and playfulness (shoutout Marissa for being a Peace Corps angel and letting us share in that experience, she’s doing amazing things).

Beyond the waning sunlight that melts into the baobab trees surrounding this small village lies a calm, unlit compound where the jovial spirits of 19 children dance and hop around freely, so full of life that they light up like an orb amongst the darkness of the night. Truly radiant.

Actual footage from a video, dancing around with the kiddos at their compound

Meal-time community:

I think about the traditional ways of eating in Morocco, Gambia, and Senegal, which also confirms their natural inclination towards community and connection. Meals are inclusive and shared among families as they sit around together.

In Morocco, we had family-style meals for breakfast and dinner every day, with all the guests and volunteers. Every guest who was staying at the surf camp would undoubtedly love and swoon over the specialty that is sitting down and thoughtfully sharing a meal.

All of these individual people from across the world gathered around the table, sharing moments from their days, cracking funny stories, finding random coincidental commonalities with each other that suddenly bridged the gap of strangers, crossing into the highly cherished terrain of budding friendship. All while enjoying delicious, homemade food.

Having the opportunity to not only participate in that, but also constantly watch it unfold around me, never ceased to warm my heart.

We crave it without even knowing it sometimes.

In Senegal and The Gambia, families invite their neighbors over for meals, even if they don’t have a surplus to give out. Sharing, however minimal, is an incontestable aspect of their culture. 

Relishing in the simple gift of shared space and proximity to each other. A true portrayal of the gift of food bringing people together.

Walking into the city of Touba in Senegal

The Great Mosque

I’ve tasted the sweetness of traveling from place to place, the invigoration of meeting new people all the time, but nothing will ever be sweeter than a reliable, loving community of friends and family that will support and include you no matter what.

We all long for human connection and a sense of belonging, and what good are all of these frivolous material things, if at the end of the day, we’re still lonely?

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Part 5: This is my Cultural Enlightenment

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Part 7: Nature & Simplicity