My life of fro-yo, high-speed Internet and a trendy wardrobe is nothing but a distant memory. Everything in Gambia is different, including me. And somewhere along the line, dare I say, it all started feeling normal.
Everything in The Gambia is incredibly cheap if you count in U.S. dollars. However, an average income for a modest family (10-15 people) is only about 1,500 dalasi per month or $38 USD. More than a third of the population lives on less than $1.25 USD per day
I usually sleep through the 5 a.m. call to prayer, having finally grown accustomed to the faint mutterings from the faraway mosque. But it’s never long until I’m forced awake anyway. My family, of course, owns the biggest cock on the block and the rooster never fails to crow at sunrise.
Auntie is my new little sister, a 4-year-old orphan my family cares for. And although she is less than a quarter of my size, she has appointed herself my body guard.
There’s a saying that goes: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” And so, I wait. I wait for teachers to show up to school. I wait for students to be assigned classes. I wait for meetings to begin. I wait for lessons to be taught.
As I was moving into my new home, my father turned to me and relented that he wished the house could be nicer. Hearing those words from a Gambian as you step into what will be your living space for the next two years is a scary moment.
In The Gambia, everyone gets new clothes and shoes to wear to the prayer grounds and out to greet neighbors. The kids get so dressed up they are practically unrecognizable in their fancy clothes and gaudy make up. And to be honest, although it’s not the intent, some do actually look scary. Instead of parading around for candy, though, they ask for “salibo,” any small amount of money neighbors are willing to give.
