My Mosaic Includes You: Honouring Connections in Gambia and at Home
THE GAMBIA
Consensus seems to be that in life, it’s the people that matter more than the place. Despite spectacular sites to see on planet earth, this probably holds true for the traveler too. While places can brighten, boost or bore us at the day’s end, the memories often stem from the social side. The ‘doing’ and ‘seeing’ in the Banjul areas wasn’t as extensive or enticing for me unfortunately. The brief highlights were watching wild wonders particularly close ups - monkeys and crocs came the closest - and seeing some of the interesting cultural practices, such as lip tattooing and other Gambian ceremonial traditions.
So with less ‘doing’, I compromised with the cold front and chillaxed beachside to do more ‘being’. The Atlantic ocean’s entrance looked like those old-school ‘beware of dog’ signs on a house you were thinking of entering (i.e. think again). No matter, my visit here was made special by the locals who shared their time, full throttle laughs, Netflix worthy stories and their love of local music. Of course, these new bonds were born from recently made relations, and so, the world turns …
At the get-go, we shared Gambian grub. Domoda (a thick orangey brown curry of pureed peanuts and onions), benachin (sauteed onion rice with grilled chicken) and local fresh fruit juices, each with its peculiarities playing on my palate.
Our failed attempts at dancing left us playing games wee into the night. An ‘archi-model’, he designed buildings and fashion runways, trusting me almost immediately with the nuances of his love life. She is as avant-garde, astute and aware as she was humble and hip-hop-happenin’, not to mention a famous ‘media personality’ for a popular Gambian radio station.
The deeper dialogues began at our debut, actually.
How is it that sometimes we hangout with peeps for ages and yet our affection ceilings in place (likely lower than its potential) while others log on and level up in no time, like they’re reigning champions of their favourite video game?
For each of us, the pandemic poked us in some way or another. If nothing else, it underscored the need for our individual and collective social bandwidth and the power of our collaborative Care bear stares. Why is human connection so central to our wellness and growth?
How do we push the concentric boundaries of our usual circles so we can sample from the fringes, forever expanding our options to invite and be invited in as friends?
Most def, traveling is a trampoline to try out new interactions and see how things fit. Lately, I’m laughing more. I can feel it stemming from a deeper place, one that sets off a burst of beautiful happy. Imagine the bonus points that pulsate on the screen when you find the cherry or unlock the treasure - it’s like that.
Curious again, I want to know how to grow caring and conscious connections so we can be mirrors and mentors for one another. Drop me a line if you’ve got tips and tricks (seriously).
I think of my tribe back home and scattered worldwide. Each must play their part (resounding notes from the past, or those that are on stage now) in my social symphony. Some of you have influenced my taste in music, fashion and fun; others in cuisine, my calling, creativity or how I Connect – and for this, I thank you.
Afterall, my mosaic includes you. Like the stars that carry galaxies from beyond, we shape one another.
I look at life and see how rapidly this process often happens when we’re younger, more vulnerable, open and ready to rumble (and rebuild, if necessary). This tiny country didn’t showcase much exoterically. Regardless, I pause in gratitude for the sparks that lit up the room for a bit – fist bumps exchanging for this, that and the other – reminding me of the pivotal role of feeling rooted in community.
So, let’s turn up the flame of friendships between us (and the ultimate Friendship) and shift our mosaic, coming closer in affection and proximity #VirtualFistbump
Whether we’re out at sea or docked on shore, may all the layers of our concentric circles lead to stronger and stronger bonds,
So true. After all, “a man’s friendships are one of the best measures of his worth “ as quoted from Charles Darwin.