If I were asked to sum up in one sentence my experience in Gambia say that "in those lands found anthologies smiles over adversity, traditions dressed in the bright colors and extraordinary scenes of nature." It would be like if I had found a bit of friendly African traveler, an example of how tourism in communities and reversed the finding that there is much to see and do in the smallest country in the black continent. I admit I did not know too much about Gambia before undertaking this trip. Now that I'm back I can assure you it is one of the best surprises I've taken in my traveling life and is a destination worth visiting.
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My intention is to show you my trip to Gambia in ten pictures with which to share feelings and explain what we can give him to come to this tiny West African country.
In Gambia the look on the map as a strange and elongated border intrudes on Senegalese territory. Actually it has been since centuries ago when settlers seized the bed of the River Gambia, which names the smaller countries of continental Africa to the slave trade to the New World discovered across the Atlantic. Actually both the river and the ocean are the keys for which this country is based have been fortunate to visit. They are the life of Gambians, feisty and friendly people trying to be taking steps to move forward in difficult times.
There are data that particularly disturbed about Gambia like being in the bottom of the index of human development and major deficiencies that must support its population. So when you travel there you are throwing a cable to the community directly or indirectly. Examples of NGOs as Milcamins Solidari led by Merce Solomon tell us about the work that lies ahead and how to help to raise these as negative indices. We are, therefore, a model of responsible tourism is increasingly in vogue wealth of its people.
But there is much choosing Gambia as a traveler destination as boost the tourism industry ends up being good for the whole country. And also there are reasons to enjoy a stay there and, incidentally, provide a bit. Everything always sum.
I will talk a lot about this country in the blog, but to show that he has marked me and you can do it with you too, what if I start with some photographs with which to convince you that it's worth a journey to Gambia? Today things will of images that try to be worth a thousand words ...
One afternoon in Tanji Market
Tanji is a fishing village that probably represents the best the country ... people, customs that make routine make something superlative. When I arrived in the evening, when the boats return to shore with fish caught, I found Tanji beach filled to overflowing. Dozens of boats approaching the shore, appear then who draw from the same all the fish who persecute them if they drop a piece, permanent and occasional vendors with their bowls ready. Every evening easily coming together several thousand people in the capital and surrounding villages.
The show is tinged with human color, authenticity no buts or nuances. I was not wrong to Tanji dijeste that, by itself, justify a trip to Gambia. It is a paradise for lovers of photography, who come looking feel ... Africa stood on the sand, watching everything around me, I was thrilled with such a load of scenes that were constant.
Those crazy short ...
If anyone can give us a real lesson in Africa those are children. In Gambia, especially in the villages, when they see a foreigner can not rush to ask for anything material, but play with them, you make them pictures, they talk to them in your foreign language or upload them to shoulders or horse. I have never seen a more honest than children who live in poverty but who can be happy with what they have smile. Few people should not leave school to work, or who have toys. Nothing compared to our happy childhoods full of gifts on every birthday, holy and Kings. But they, without consoles and, at times, sad soccer balls, are able to give her laugh, to cry with joy and does not know the word boredom.
Mangroves Makasutu
If something is not without Gambia Nature. Most of it has to do with the course of the River Gambia, the backbone of this country. For nearly 200 km salt water and very close to the mouth of the Gambia is a large expanse of mangrove forests and surrounded by palm charchas predominates. One of the most interesting is Makasutu, which also has some high class lodges that fit the space where they are. Explore this area by canoe, in the early morning or evening, allow bird watching and see jumping over a baboon. We saw tens ...
A crocodile watching us from his hiding
Near Banjul, within walking distance of an area of very modest houses, there is a pond known as Katschi-Kali inhabited by tens of crocodiles. A priori it seems a tourist attraction, but in fact this pond with such fierce reptiles has a long tradition for local people. Nearby, in a baobab circumcision ceremonies that had to do with the child went from being man made. And women who bathe in it (now worth using water) became pregnant by divine influence. However, before they should be lucky enough to be respected by lurking crocodiles.
The men of the forest ...
On the outskirts of Banjul in a move to a place where we would comeratravesamos a field area. From the distance he started coming to our transport a group of people who were with two other strangers wearing orange suits and red respectively. Both they are carrying a curved knife in each hand and performed dances and exaggerated fuss towards people who were with them. Unbelievers were witnessing a Kankurang Dance in participating "man of the forest". This is an ancient tradition of the Mandingo ethnic group facing hazing you have with young circumcised who have done their learning in the jungle. It's a habit that gradually has been lost but can still be seen in parts of Gambia and Senegal. It is not a "turistada" or anything. In fact, the dancers dressed in costumes made with tinted cork tree and monstrous masks, hid at us. Are rituals which is very difficult to access. For a few minutes we could see some of the dances of those "men of the forest", which I never could have imagined and that says a lot about how culture is maintained in this mostly Muslim country but with the presence of purely animist traditions.
The face of innocence
Every day I was in Gambia I saw many faces full of truth and innocence. Many of those looks were children, age prematurely, but also found in young innocent eyes and more people who have had a rough life. My first impression is that Gambians is good people, very affectionate and wants to go forward. Although no photos fleeing like the plague, I found a very high percentage who wanted to know where I was and be reflected in my camera. I think enough to be natural, like them, and not look from outside and away. Many innocent faces caught during those days got as a gift with a smile. Keep a close attitude and be respectful travelers more than ever. Thus a different prism in front of you will open and begin to enjoy "the friendly Africa" ...
Humanity wild animals
Gambia does not find the Big Five that can be in any country of South Africa and Botswana or Namibia because it is a small country that has been noticed, even further, the intrusive presence of man. Yet there are many species of mammals that are seen not only in parks or nature reserves, which are many, but also in day to day. A clear example of this are the monkeys, they come in various types and in a place like Bijilo Forest Park (Super Natural Park near Serekunda) are dozens. Often you see females with their young embraced as any mother with her baby. He has always liked watching "traits humanity" in which they are considered "wild". And that's really easy nature anywhere in Gambia ...
Gambia, a real haven for birds
It is considered to Gambia as a true "ornithological paradise", which attracts people passionate about birds and likes to observe and classify. In fact, being a small country, it is estimated that there are about six hundred species of birds that can be seen within this territory, a real figure and nothing exaggerated. In fact during the days I was in Gambia I was able to photograph many types of birds not only in stocks but also in the gardens of the accommodation that was. A heron was about to eat my breakfast, by that I mean everything. Experts say it is one of the best places in the world to observe and study birds. And this I can attest ...
The beauty of humility
I love to lift his head and admire the beauty of simplicity, humility you are able to reflect some faces. And in Gambia I loved this aspect, to capture the most beautiful features of who I was finding along the way.
Tanji in one morning
The first picture I showed was on an afternoon in Tanji, nothing more boats arrive with freshly caught fish. The best thing about this place is that it also "in one morning" and colorful atmosphere is amazing. A vegetable market every day of the year which makes this my favorite scene in Gambia is prepared. It sounds exaggerated but worth coming here not once, but more times and at different times.
In these days of eternal return to daily have been many people who have asked me if I recommend travel to Gambia. I think the images speak for themselves and I can not say yes more often. And above all, having direct connection from Barcelona with Vueling airline without the need for visas, permits and bureaucratic rolls. Also it is not us to travel to Gambia Gambia but travels to us. And as often happens with Africa ... ever desprenderás you of those scenarios, of those people with whom you've encountered. In one form or another they will always be part of you.
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