I'm Going To Africa
For the first leg of my journey I’m going to Gambia in June. Before anyone asks (because someone will), no I am not Gambian. We don’t ask white people if they’re Italian or Spanish when they announce trips to Rome or Madrid so I’m often perplexed when black people are asked if they’re native to African countries they’re planning to visit. I’m visiting Gambia because a) my mum is currently there for business and I can stay with her and b) it’s a beautiful country!
I want to be honest and say it took me a great deal of time and consideration to make Africa a part of my digital nomad journey. As a born and bred black-European, I’m used to the convenience of short flights to Mediterranean countries and super speed trains to the heart of Paris. In these countries, I know what to expect, what I’d like to see and do and that I’ll always find food, people, and places that remind me of the UK. Africa, on the other hand, always felt so far away in many aspects. I’ve been under the impression that sub-Saharan Africa is where I might go for a cousin’s wedding, a grandparent’s funeral, or an obligatory family visit. Not for fun.
The last time I went to Africa was for a holiday to Morocco in March 2020, right before the height of COVID-19. Marrakesh had a rich, vibrant, and chaotic charm that elicited strong memories of my visit to Nigeria as a child in 1999/2000. That was the first and last time I went to my home country. The difference between Marrakesh and Nigeria, however, is that in Marrakesh I was black and in Nigeria I was just a little girl. Although my memories of Marrakesh are generally fond, I can’t forget the boy on the bike that called me Michelle Obama, the persistent cat-calling, the unyielding stares, and the overall sense that not all of Africa is a safe haven for people who look like me.
I’m certainly not writing off North Africa but I’m really looking forward to being in a country where I’m less hyper-visible because my race won’t be an identifying factor. I get to just be a woman. I know I’ll probably stand out as a tourist as I’ve been told I have an air of cluelessness when I’m navigating new places. I’m also aware that because I’m a woman, in some places and situations this may heighten my visibility and compromise my safety. Still, I can’t wait to be surrounded by people that look like me. This is something I haven’t experienced since I was child visiting Nigeria and I’m looking forward to appreciating the value of this as an adult.
I’ll be staying in Brufut, a coastal beach town where my mum currently stays. Majority of my time will be spent working since it’s not actually a holiday. On the days I’m not working, I plan to rest and read on the beach, visit the flea markets, take some guided tours, and maybe even plan a trip to the neighbouring country, Senegal. I don’t know how easy it’ll be to achieve these things but it sounds wonderful in my head and I feel optimistic. The challenges I might face are possible Wi-Fi issues, insect bites, adjusting to the heat, living with my mother for 3 weeks, and whether to get jumbo braids or a very short haircut that will help me withstand the weather. These are all bridges I’ll cross when I get to them and I’m sure I’ll be able to figure these things out.
Overall, I can’t wait to see Africa! I think it’s a great way to kick off my journey and I hope it’s the inspiring and enriching experience I imagine it will be. Africa is a beautiful continent that is so often overlooked when it comes to tourism and it only makes sense that I, an African woman, seize an opportunity to really go home.
