I visited the Abuko Nature Reserve recently, and had a peaceful couple of hours enjoying this beautiful place so close to the chaos of Kombo. It is The Gambia’s most visited tourist attraction receiving approximately 33,000 visitors per year, although while I was there I only saw five other tourists. One interesting fact is that it is the nearest tropical forest to Europe.
I was particularly intrigued about this place, after learning… ....READ MORE | 1 Comment
I participated in the Gambia Teachers Institute (GTI) one day conference, with three teachers from my Senior Secondary School in Farafenni – the Agriculture Technical College (ATC). The event was hosted by the Banjul American International School (BAIS), and included various sessions focused on practices for effective teaching, and other skills applicable to Gambian educational contexts. The primary focus of the sessions was on inquiry-based education… ....READ MORE
When I told an Oregon friend I was going to be a PCV in The Gambia, she said her brother had been a PCV there. I reached out to Dave Dupras to ask if he could connect me with other RPCVs from the early 1970s, and the two previous posts about Paul & John, resulted from Dave’s introductions. Dave had his camera stolen while in service (see story… ....READ MORE | 1 Comment
John Wilson was a PCV in The Gambia 1971-73, and has graciously shared his memories and photos about his time in West Africa.
John arrived in Banjul in late June 1971, after graduating with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Akron, Ohio. His group of PCVs were mostly science and math teachers. John says that… ....READ MORE
I have been in contact with several people who were PCVs in The Gambia during the early 1970’s. This first installment was written by Paul Stefanson. It is very enlightening to learn about his experiences in the early days of PCTG. Enjoy his photos and story.
This is a true story about experiences that changed my life. After Graduate School, there weren’t many jobs available… ....READ MORE | 2 Comments
Participating in the Roots Tribe Yoga (RTY) program was something I knew I wanted to do when I applied to be a PCV. I was pleased to be selected to join the five days of Ambassador Training with Gambian teachers, and be a counselor for the twenty students who came to the camp. I have had a personal yoga practice for over forty years, and… ....READ MORE
I apologize for not posting in awhile, but I was having a hard time feeling motivated recently. It is common for a volunteer, after being in country for about a year, to wonder: “What have I accomplished during my first year.” I arrived in The Gambia on October 11, 2017, eager to begin my Peace Corps adventure, and then one year later I was at a low point… ....READ MORE | 4 Comments
I stayed in Rome for three nights and I’m glad I had the extra day to take it all in. I had a nice fourth floor room with a kitchen, and a balcony to gaze out over the city. It was very close to the Vatican, and I splurged on a early morning ticket to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. This was a… ....READ MORE | 2 Comments
Beautiful Florence, I wish I had spent more time there, two days was way too short. I definitely will return to be able to explore the streets, restaurants, museums, and just soak up the ambiance of this incredible place. My next Italian trip could be spent just in Tuscany visiting Pisa, Lucca, Siena, Cortona, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Pienza and leisuring enjoying the Tuscan countryside. Who wants to join… ....READ MORE | 1 Comment
My first stop in Italy was Naples, and my introduction to traveling solo in Europe. After spending time with world travelers Dave & Arwen in Greece, I felt I was as ready to take on the world – one continent at a time. My Italian itinerary was very ambitious, and in retrospect it would have been nice to have more leisure time. Three cities in eight days was… ....READ MORE | 2 Comments