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Prince
507 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 07:55:40
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I just got back from Gambia. I was there for a five week visit, which was fun while it lasted. The people remain largely really nice and friendly, but they also looked sickly and sunburned. I spent most of my time in the greater Banjul area, but I also found a few days to visit a village up country (Janjanbureh), to see extended family members. Gambia is undergoing dramatic changes across the board for both better and worse.
Jammeh is doing quite well improving the infrastructure especially in the urban areas. (I remember the days when most of our roads were made of oyster shells.) There are fewer pot holes on most of the main roads, but the Westfields-Banjul road could use a face-lift. And contrary to what is often reported in the online press, I did not at anytime feel threatened by crime.
On a down side, everything seemed to be overpriced and I wonder how the average family is able to fend. I won't specifically blame the government coz I don't believe governments are responsible for feeding citizens and it's not that the average person is experiencing a hike in direct taxes. However, the government could help by curbing some of the import monopolies held by certain individuals. No single individual should have the import license to control more than a certain percentage of the market. Some individuals should also be spanked with prosecution under anti-competition laws.
Politics is dull and no one openly criticizes the learned professor, whose word remains "the word of god within gambia." Overall, politics remains the same old cyclical banter on human rights, petty corruption, lies, backstabbing and idiiots continually scheming against each other. Our politicians should be required to have regular jobs. It's hard to trust anyone who earns a living by "helping other humans."
The economic situation compels almost everyone into becoming small-time con-artists. For some weird reason, these small-timers believe that everyone living abroad has a bottomless pocket. Young men are still struck in their old ways of hanging out at "sessions," drinking attaya, smoking weed, checking out chicks (looking for hit and run prospects), then getting free food from a sole bread winner.
Young women are borderline horing for husbands-from-abroad. I literally had a wife donated to me...
The public school system remains shambolic, the teachers are still poorly trained, while the students continue to be unmotivated and ill-prepared for the rigors of a quality education. Teenage pregnancy is on the rise: breeding a generation of bastards and barren women, who are the victims of one-stop-shop abortion corners. Pot-bellied sugardaddies are hovering around school campuses looking for feeble-minded poor girls to trounce on.
The beaches are less crowded with fat tourists basking under the sun in the name of sunbathing. The soldiers are still playing cat and mouse with bumsters. Of all the uniforms out there, it is hard to understand why the tourism department decided to send thugs in military camouflage to patrol the beaches In the evenings, hookers, sex offenders, pimps and players rule the strip.
The cost of building materials has increased dramatically, while property prices are sickeningly high. Completely dilapidated tiny plots of lands on dirt roads, with no water and electricity are more expensive than the average homes in the United States. I pity the people working at home, they will remain a generation of renters!
No one is punctual; everyone is late to everything. it was initially a bit irritating. I doubt that the local languages has a word for "late." People don't say "thank you," or "welcome" either. Many also assume that they are entitled to my belongings. Some of the boys I grew up with literally wanted to distribute my belongings as if I were dead; everything was assigned to someone. (so word of caution to future visitors, DON'T GO WITH WHAT YOU ARE UNWILLING TO GIVE UP!!") . But, that's the culture, i'd either deal with it, or eff off!
I'm tempted to post pictures BUT... Overall, it was nice to be in Gambia. Sadly, I don't think I'd like to live there in the foreseeable future .
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 09:27:07
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Very interesting, Prince! I am planning an unannounce visit myself (with madam and the kids), so thanks for the following heads-up. It is blunt and humorous...
1. Politics is dull and no one openly criticizes the learned professor, whose word remains "the word of god within gambia."
2. The economic situation compels almost everyone into becoming small-time con-artists.
3. Teenage pregnancy is on the rise: breeding a generation of ******s and barren women, who are the victims of one-stop-shop abortion corners. Pot-bellied sugardaddies are hovering around school campuses looking for feeble-minded poor girls to trounce on.
4. it is hard to understand why the tourism department decided to send thugs in military camouflage to patrol the beaches In the evenings, hookers, sex offenders, pimps and players rule the strip.
5. Completely dilapidated tiny plots of lands on dirt roads, with no water and electricity are more expensive than the average homes in the United States. I pity the people working at home, they will remain a generation of renters!
6. No one is punctual; everyone is late to everything. it was initially a bit irritating. I doubt that the local languages has a word for "late." People don't say "thank you," or "welcome" either. Many also assume that they are entitled to my belongings |
Edited by - kayjatta on 23 Jun 2010 09:27:56 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 09:51:45
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Thanks for sharing your experience/observations with us. Many of what you mentioned are familiar. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 11:19:43
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Prince, it is as if you spit it on a leaf. All factual. On the upside, you were offered a wife. We have all gone through that complex situations. I wish all visitors can be as level headed as you.
Some of our Gambian visitors do also take advantage of the vulnerable sisters before the Dollar, Euro or Pounds run out.
Thanks for the info. |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 18:21:47
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quote:
Very interesting, Prince! I am planning an unannounce visit myself (with madam and the kids), so thanks for the following heads-up. It is blunt and humorous...
Gambia is a good place to wind down and recharge your batteries. Make sure you head out with tons of money, I struggled to stay out of unnecessary expenditures. And trust me, I'm really frugal. |
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2010 : 18:48:41
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quote:
Some of our Gambian visitors do also take advantage of the vulnerable sisters before the Dollar, Euro or Pounds run out.
Thanks for the info.
Santa, It's true that some visitors go out to exploit the less than ideal plight of our sisters. However, at other times, it is our sisters who exploit the visitors. Their hunger for vanity is very alarming. For example, an older guy from my neighborhood had his "wife" impregnated while he toiled in the west. He is partially at fault though, coz it's improper to marry and dump your "wife" at the mercy of smooth talking young men. |
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Moe
USA
2326 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 04:48:16
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After Going to Gambia Prince and am sure you had so much fun being home once again. I am envious and regardless of my feelings,How did you feel after meeting the people again?. The last thing on my mind was instability. The people don't deserve it and Gambia does not deserve it. Nothing in this world is ever lasting and we should always make the good out of any given scenario................................................Peacequote:
Originally posted by Prince
quote:
Very interesting, Prince! I am planning an unannounce visit myself (with madam and the kids), so thanks for the following heads-up. It is blunt and humorous...
Gambia is a good place to wind down and recharge your batteries. Make sure you head out with tons of money, I struggled to stay out of unnecessary expenditures. And trust me, I'm really frugal.
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I am Jebel Musa better yet rock of Gibraltar,either or,still a stronghold and a Pillar commanding direction
The GPU wants Me Hunted Down for what I don't know ..... |
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 18:04:18
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quote:
After Going to Gambia Prince and am sure you had so much fun being home once again. I am envious and regardless of my feelings,How did you feel after meeting the people again?. The last thing on my mind was instability. The people don't deserve it and Gambia does not deserve it. Nothing in this world is ever lasting and we should always make the good out of any given scenario................................................Peace
Moe, the people are the same old "Gambians." Unfortunately, they treated me slightly different... Like Thomas Wolfe said, "you cannot go home again." Every thing was always slightly different, some people treated me with an obvious superficial respect. Things looked smaller, and my childhood mates moved on... even my schooled aunt warned me about eating from the "doma" neighbors (the same place I use to "carass" lunch at, back in the day).
In all honesty, I did not sense any instability in the air. It is just the same old politicians devouring each other! |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 18:22:52
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Prince
You are not same old Prince no more! That is always what I realize when I got back my homeland from abroad. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 18:44:48
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I just cannot believe that the person who responded to my post is the same person who wrote this,are there in fact two people on bantaba with the name prince ?,read this copy and pasted reply,then read what this person has written on this occasion,the same person ?:
http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9323&whichpage=2
quote:
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...with personal insults and a total unwillingness to discuss or even acknowledge the problems that beset The Gambia.
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Toubab, where and when did I insult you??
Whatever. why did you wait this late to bring up links on political problems that besieges all third world countries? That wiki link highlights the problems confronting ALL third world countries, nothing on it is uniquely Gambian.
You subtly run your mouth on what you presume to be "cultural and social" Gambian problems. And I will ram it down your throat that those are the Gambian culture; neither you, nor me is qualify to criticize them. What may appear to be a "problem" to you and your fellow keyboard revolutionaries, may be what Gambians are comfortable doing. So deal with it, or eff off.
It is not unusual for internet revolutionaries to stick to their words. I hope you choke on your words till you fall off your high horse!
Btw, you are not toubab. In fact, you are faker than blue eyed crackers nailed to a crucifix!
quote:
Originally posted by Prince
I just got back from Gambia. I was there for a five week visit, which was fun while it lasted. The people remain largely really nice and friendly, but they also looked sickly and sunburned. I spent most of my time in the greater Banjul area, but I also found a few days to visit a village up country (Janjanbureh), to see extended family members. Gambia is undergoing dramatic changes across the board for both better and worse.
Jammeh is doing quite well improving the infrastructure especially in the urban areas. (I remember the days when most of our roads were made of oyster shells.) There are fewer pot holes on most of the main roads, but the Westfields-Banjul road could use a face-lift. And contrary to what is often reported in the online press, I did not at anytime feel threatened by crime.
On a down side, everything seemed to be overpriced and I wonder how the average family is able to fend. I won't specifically blame the government coz I don't believe governments are responsible for feeding citizens and it's not that the average person is experiencing a hike in direct taxes. However, the government could help by curbing some of the import monopolies held by certain individuals. No single individual should have the import license to control more than a certain percentage of the market. Some individuals should also be spanked with prosecution under anti-competition laws.
Politics is dull and no one openly criticizes the learned professor, whose word remains "the word of god within gambia." Overall, politics remains the same old cyclical banter on human rights, petty corruption, lies, backstabbing and idiiots continually scheming against each other. Our politicians should be required to have regular jobs. It's hard to trust anyone who earns a living by "helping other humans."
The economic situation compels almost everyone into becoming small-time con-artists. For some weird reason, these small-timers believe that everyone living abroad has a bottomless pocket. Young men are still struck in their old ways of hanging out at "sessions," drinking attaya, smoking weed, checking out chicks (looking for hit and run prospects), then getting free food from a sole bread winner.
Young women are borderline horing for husbands-from-abroad. I literally had a wife donated to me...
The public school system remains shambolic, the teachers are still poorly trained, while the students continue to be unmotivated and ill-prepared for the rigors of a quality education. Teenage pregnancy is on the rise: breeding a generation of bastards and barren women, who are the victims of one-stop-shop abortion corners. Pot-bellied sugardaddies are hovering around school campuses looking for feeble-minded poor girls to trounce on.
The beaches are less crowded with fat tourists basking under the sun in the name of sunbathing. The soldiers are still playing cat and mouse with bumsters. Of all the uniforms out there, it is hard to understand why the tourism department decided to send thugs in military camouflage to patrol the beaches In the evenings, hookers, sex offenders, pimps and players rule the strip.
The cost of building materials has increased dramatically, while property prices are sickeningly high. Completely dilapidated tiny plots of lands on dirt roads, with no water and electricity are more expensive than the average homes in the United States. I pity the people working at home, they will remain a generation of renters!
No one is punctual; everyone is late to everything. it was initially a bit irritating. I doubt that the local languages has a word for "late." People don't say "thank you," or "welcome" either. Many also assume that they are entitled to my belongings. Some of the boys I grew up with literally wanted to distribute my belongings as if I were dead; everything was assigned to someone. (so word of caution to future visitors, DON'T GO WITH WHAT YOU ARE UNWILLING TO GIVE UP!!"). But, that's the culture, i'd either deal with it, or eff off!
I'm tempted to post pictures BUT... Overall, it was nice to be in Gambia. Sadly, I don't think I'd like to live there in the foreseeable future.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 19:01:34
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quote:
Originally posted by turk
Prince
You are not same old Prince no more! That is always what I realize when I got back my homeland from abroad.
It's sad but you're right. I unsuccessfully struggled to slide into my old routine. How did you deal with yours? Did you just accept the "new" you and move on? |
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 19:09:46
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quote:
I just cannot believe that the person who responded to my post is the same person who wrote this,are there in fact two people on bantaba with the name prince ?,read this copy and pasted reply,then read what this person has written on this occasion,the same person ?:
I am the same person Toubab. Don't be frightened into imagining several princes everywhere. And seriously, I did not mean to insult you. So if you are too sensitive to the extent of feeling insulted, then please accept my sincere apology. |
"When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty." |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 19:33:03
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People change. Accept the reality. You change as you type a response to a topic here. Or when hear from others. When you are in abroad or in a multicultural settings, chances are you change significantly more than Gambians in Gambia. Some people resist to it. It is all about how you discover yourself based on the experiences. If you experience more differences, and open minded, chances are you change more significantly. People are in Gambia more static, traditional. This may be better though. They are at least protected from corruption. lol. It is not as dynamic and multicultural as it is in i.e. London, Toronto, New York which are more urban, fast.
It is all about you. Discovering yourself. That is why I hate when one associates your race, religion, ethnicity, where you come from when dealing with you. I accept my new 'me'. Accept the change. However, it is always interesting when the 'new you' face to your 'old you'.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 01 Jul 2010 04:11:50 |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 19:59:00
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There, The thinking man,writes common sense as well
Maybe think about changing your signature
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 30 Jun 2010 20:00:26 |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 21:17:04
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No problem, everything OK thanks for the sincere apology.
quote:
Originally posted by Prince
quote:
I just cannot believe that the person who responded to my post is the same person who wrote this,are there in fact two people on bantaba with the name prince ?,read this copy and pasted reply,then read what this person has written on this occasion,the same person ?:
I am the same person Toubab. Don't be frightened into imagining several princes everywhere. And seriously, I did not mean to insult you. So if you are too sensitive to the extent of feeling insulted, then please accept my sincere apology.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Moe
USA
2326 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jul 2010 : 07:00:26
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Nah you have the money, Nah you come from Europe, Nah you they leave everything you came with what do you expect?. Even the old will stop and say Hi. You mean the streets you used to play football looked smaller. Thats the first thing anyone notices. Some of the streets in banjul look like bicycle tracks, trust me they seeme big when I was younger.You are right it's the same ole Gambia, peaceful and safe.It's the safe haven for the rest of Africa as you might have noticed with the Guinean , Sierraleonean, Nigerian, Ghanian, and Liberian presence not to mention Europeans and our Arab brothers. Even the foreigners have become success story this much I can assure you.................................Peacequote:
Originally posted by Prince
quote:
After Going to Gambia Prince and am sure you had so much fun being home once again. I am envious and regardless of my feelings,How did you feel after meeting the people again?. The last thing on my mind was instability. The people don't deserve it and Gambia does not deserve it. Nothing in this world is ever lasting and we should always make the good out of any given scenario................................................Peace
Moe, the people are the same old "Gambians." Unfortunately, they treated me slightly different... Like Thomas Wolfe said, "you cannot go home again." Every thing was always slightly different, some people treated me with an obvious superficial respect. Things looked smaller, and my childhood mates moved on... even my schooled aunt warned me about eating from the "doma" neighbors (the same place I use to "carass" lunch at, back in the day).
In all honesty, I did not sense any instability in the air. It is just the same old politicians devouring each other!
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I am Jebel Musa better yet rock of Gibraltar,either or,still a stronghold and a Pillar commanding direction
The GPU wants Me Hunted Down for what I don't know ..... |
Edited by - Moe on 01 Jul 2010 07:06:12 |
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