"This Time for Africa"

Tonight is my last night in The Gambia. Tomorrow morning we leave for Dakar, Senegal. We are going to drive to Dakar, which will take about 7 hours and then spend Wednesday night in Dakar. Thursday we'll hang out and soak up our last rays of African sun by the hotel pool and then leave for the Dakar International Airport at midnight. Then, I will be back on American soil Friday at 6 am. While I am excited to get home, be back in America, be back with my family and friends, be near a Dunkin Donuts, I am sad to leave Africa. I had a truly eye-opening study abroad experience here which I have not even begun to process. I know I've changed, but I'm yet sure exactly what's different. I do know what I will miss about The Gambia:

1. The smiles. It's not called "The Smiling Coast of Africa" for nothing.

2. The sun. Every day was sunny, hot, bright, and sweaty.

3. Fresh fruit stands everywhere. Not only are they colorful sights along the roads, but they also always have fresh fruit that's ready to eat. Instant snack.

4. The bushtaxis. The taxis were cheap, mostly reliable and always a fun way to get around. No matter where I was going, I knew I would have a ride. It was also a great way to meet regular people going to work, school and get their shopping done.

5. My running routes. Through the Bakau Women's Gardens, up to Kairaba on the weekends to get sweet rolls, by the Gambia Radio and Television Studios, around the Independence National Stadium; I will most likely never run those routes again. For me, running was a great way to just see and look and observe daily life.

6. The markets. I loved to barter for fabric, brooms, shoes, and everything else that's for sale in the markets. Going into The Gap for a shirt just won't be as fun, or as loud, hot, colorful, or provide so many smells to smell.

7. My house. Our sanctuary in The Gambia when we got overwhelmed. I will definitely miss Mohammed, Haddy, and Sainabou. They took care of us while we were here: cooked, cleaned, talked, laughed, helped.

Of course, there are things about The Gambia that I won't miss:

1. The majority of Gambian men. They basically just see American women as a ticket to America and treat us accordingly.

2. The money. It smells like fish because it gets passed around in the many fish markets here.

3. The trash. There is no public waste disposal service so trash gets thrown in piles on the side of the road and burned. Imagine getting a mouthful of that smoke when you're running down the road in 100 degree heat.

4. Not knowing whether or not the food I am eating is safe. You just never know here and when you eat something, you're always taking a chance on getting sick. But, it's eat or starve.

5. Hot, sunny days every day. Rain and thunderstorms are nice once and awhile.

7. Not being able to communicate 100 percent of my meaning 100 percent of the time I'm talking. I won't miss the language barrier. Telling someone five times, five different ways, with five different gestures, that I don't want mayonnaise isn't always funny.