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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Oct 2008 : 18:12:15
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Its suprising how many people see the Senegambia area as Gambia (that's where they go that's where they stay). Nothing wrong with that but I am saddened by the rise of the spa resorts and hotels that now have private beach areas and many tourist stay within this area.
Rumour has it all inclusive hotels are going to make a comeback. That means less money spent on Gambian business 
I love Serrekunda (sorry Turk) was my first real 'home' was based there for 10 months and every trip I return to my 'Family' and spend my first night outside our compound chatting and laughing with our neighbours.
I also travel to the provinces this to me is also 'the real Gambia'.
Sennegambia's ok to watch the 'entertainment' Paid and unpaid  but for people to think this is a real Gambian experience is quite sad don't ya think.
Abraham theres many more years for you to enjoy im sure. |
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2008 : 19:01:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Momodou
"We have found you to be realistic, quite accomodating, much willing, very sociable, quite tolerable, enthusiastic and quite friendly.
These are the qualities of a human beeing, and you have proved it beyond all reasonable doubts. Sometimes it is not easy to pinpoint who is Danish and who is Gambian if not because of the colour difference." - A quote from the visit of Danish teenagers (grade 10 students) who stayed in a village in CRD for 11 days in 1997. A new class has since 1997 been going to Gambia yearly and staying there three weeks.
Momodou what wonderful comments, i'm sure the experience will stay with these students a lifetime.
I think if students get the opportunity to travel to Gambia in well planned organised trips they get a different perspective of what Gambia is like.
Im always surprised how many schools/Universities use the 3 and 4 star hotels in the tourist area as a base.
To me that defeats the object.
Last February I spoke with a boy who had been visiting the Gambia for years with his family on holiday. He had joined a School trip to Gambia .
He had never experienced life in a roundhouse had never drawn water from a well, read by candle light, bathed under the stars, he was in total awe of his new experiences and it was great to see. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2008 : 20:52:17
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As a teacher it is a miracle to me that anyone ever gets a trip to Gambia off the ground! Going to the local park is difficult enough in these days of risk assessments and personal liability.
Fortunately there are some brave teachers that think this is worthwhile.
I have been several times with a student trip and it is wonderful to see how the students develop in the week they are in Gambia
We stay at Kotu at the coast in 2 star hotels.
Then we go in land to Tendaba and visit the villages.
The pupils never see seneGambia. At the coast they go to the beach and the craft market, but are preparing for the trip up country.
The school invests around 20,000 a year in projects upcountry.
Kwinella has had alot of investment and when the president saw it he decided to match it. I think we embarrassed him into it.
HIz Princess...these trips are always a compromise. We need pupils to be secure and safe and have a positive experience. We also need to get them home healthy. But we also want them to see the real Gambia and interact with Gambia people in the villages.It is a balancing act and a compromise.
It is very worthwhile and I hope to be involved for as long as I can get on a plane and walk!!!! |
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fee_sweetie
United Kingdom
127 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2008 : 21:41:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Hiz Princess
Its suprising how many people see the Senegambia area as Gambia (that's where they go that's where they stay). Nothing wrong with that but I am saddened by the rise of the spa resorts and hotels that now have private beach areas and many tourist stay within this area.
Rumour has it all inclusive hotels are going to make a comeback.
Not suprising.....the second time we went to the Gambia, the Thomas Cook rep spent the 40mins on the bus from the Airport to the hotel basically scarmongering us tourists by advising us not to go out of the Hotel, or futher away out of senegambia strip because it was dangerous, risky etc- and only deal with Thomas Cook........Luckily we knew more about the Gambia than she did but if thats what newbies are being welcomed with, then no wonder all inclusive hotels are making a come back... |
"Religion is an insult to human dignity. Without it you'd have good people doing good things + evil people doing evil things but for good people to do evil things it takes religion"- Richard Dawkins |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2008 : 21:52:06
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That is SO irresponsible. Just after their commisions!
If you have common sense and social awareness, with a guide you can go safely anywhere in Gambia.
It is so sad to hear that people are put off.
Where ever I travel I try to book B and B because then you get out and about and try to get the true flavour of the place....whether that is London, Devon, Spain or Gambia...... |
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2008 : 21:57:41
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quote:
Originally posted by fee_sweetie
Not suprising.....the second time we went to the Gambia, the Thomas Cook rep spent the 40mins on the bus from the Airport to the hotel basically scarmongering us tourists by advising us not to go out of the Hotel, or futher away out of senegambia strip because it was dangerous, risky etc- and only deal with Thomas Cook........Luckily we knew more about the Gambia than she did but if thats what newbies are being welcomed with, then no wonder all inclusive hotels are making a come back...
Yeah I have heard this before I blagged a lift on a GE coach and heard some BS.
I get the first time nerves but some people who go year after year just go for 'the strip'.
I cannot see the attraction of spending two weeks up and down there |
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Formby
United Kingdom
246 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 02:07:52
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Sex, is why they do that. We know that. I remember staying in rooms near the strip and the other rooms in the compound were full of old English men basically shagging themselves stupid, retired old men who spent half the year there for that very purpose. The strip, like most other holiday destinations, is full of sex workers. Big shock! Go to a tourist hotel in London, in Berlin, in Sydney, anywhere, and there will be prostitutes. Gambia is not unique in that so let's not make it the be all and end all.
My personal lure is music. Anywhere you go in Gambia you can hear fresh music; that beautiful fusion between the Arabic desert sound and sub Saharan highlife is unique to the Mali/Senegal/Gambia area. What REALLY annoys me is that these sounds are not more widely distributed. A few acts make it through into European distribution such as Amdou and Mariam, whose album Dimanche a Bamako was the hit of the summer in London a few years ago and who sold out all their tour. But on another thread I recalled the Ucas Jazz Band be Sedhiou (who I know became supporters of Jammeh in the 90s) but their album 'Saroo' was magnificent. WHY is this music not more widely available? |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 09:41:38
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Formby its interesting on this forum that not much comment is made about the old men that go to Gambia to do what you said..ie go for the sole purpose of having lots of sex with different girls.
Yet older women who have a Gambian boyfriend (not lots and lots of different Gambia guys) are given a very hard time! Double standards!
I've only been to senegambia a couple of times. I enjoyed dancing in clubs and the live music at Alibabas. But I didnt like to see the young girls having sleazy old men all over them!
In Gambia I spend my time at Kotu at the beach and hotel and then in land in the villages. I love Tendaba....nothing could be more different from the sleazy strip! |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 09:44:05
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The music is wonderful. I love it. Its a mystery to me why we dont get more of it imported......
For example why didnt lucky dube make it big in uk. He really should have.
Perhaps the internet will make more African musicians world wide successes? |
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 11:02:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Formby
Sex, is why they do that. We know that. I remember staying in rooms near the strip and the other rooms in the compound were full of old English men basically shagging themselves stupid, retired old men who spent half the year there for that very purpose. The strip, like most other holiday destinations, is full of sex workers. Big shock! Go to a tourist hotel in London, in Berlin, in Sydney, anywhere, and there will be prostitutes. Gambia is not unique in that so let's not make it the be all and end all.
I don't think that everyone that goes to the strip is looking for sex. Many are couples and families with children . If you look on the travel forums this is where most 'experts' recommend and maybe for a first trip you can understand. I personally wouldn't want to spend the evening there with my children but each to their own.
I have more respect for the 'sex' workers than the eluded tourist that are doing exactly the same under the guise of 'relationships'.
Many of these men you describe do not see this as a relationship in romantic sense more of a business they're under no illusion. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 11:21:15
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Yes its true..the relatinship betwen old men and young girls is not dressed up as anything more than prostitution.
The relationship between old women and young guys is what? For the women they might think it is romantic? For the men it is a financial arrangment, which may or may not include some feelings.
These men would be very offended to be called prostitutes. But they are prostituting themselves at some level.
His Princess once again you seem to be very hard on older women, but not men? Why the double standard?
The young girls seem to be VERY young (under 20) where as the young men in general arent BOYS they are men (20 - 30) in general. It seems to me these men know exactly what they are doing.
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 11:45:14
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quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
His Princess once again you seem to be very hard on older women, but not men? Why the double standard?
Im not hard on anyone, according to some at 42 I am old.
I just get bored of people bleeting on about how they've been wronged though their own stupidity.
How can you spend a two week break with a man you've just met and declare undying love and begin arrange 'your' marriage. Ive met women that have left families, sold their homes, possessions etc, sent £1000s to their man only to find out theyre not his only 'love'. Its sad yes, but these women tend to be of a certain age group, my age group. If that makes me ageist so be it. Theres no double standard.
The age thing has never bothered me as such (apart from once when I saw a woman in her 60s snogging a 20 something and her false teeth fell out).
There's a woman who frequents the strip, and in Serrekunda at least, is known by most by her Christian name. She has a string of young men staying at her compound. They get a bed and a meal she gets whatever. Shes an example, that there are some woman who see their arrangements though the same lens as some of these men.
In these instances I see nothing wrong with this arrangement it is what it is, theyre consenting adults and no one makes out its anything else. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 12:02:21
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I agree women should be more cautious in how soon they abandon everything at home for a Gambian man. I dont understand the big rush to get married.
Time tells...... marry in haste and repent at leisure is an old saying.
I had a very lucky escape. I was with the guy in Gambia each visit for 3 years...but it still only made up about 6 weeks. We text every day and wrote and so on. I met his friends and went to his compound to meet his mum. We dated and went out to various local venues.
Of course I was cautious and wary of being made a fool of. I caught him out for lying and trying to get money out of me by lying. I am SO glad I didnt sell up in UK and didnt get married to him. It was quite a close call.
As for women agreeing to marry after 2 weeks...they must be crazy!!!!
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Formby
United Kingdom
246 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 19:05:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Hiz Princess
quote:
Originally posted by Formby
Sex, is why they do that. We know that. I remember staying in rooms near the strip and the other rooms in the compound were full of old English men basically shagging themselves stupid, retired old men who spent half the year there for that very purpose. The strip, like most other holiday destinations, is full of sex workers. Big shock! Go to a tourist hotel in London, in Berlin, in Sydney, anywhere, and there will be prostitutes. Gambia is not unique in that so let's not make it the be all and end all.
I don't think that everyone that goes to the strip is looking for sex. Many are couples and families with children . If you look on the travel forums this is where most 'experts' recommend and maybe for a first trip you can understand. I personally wouldn't want to spend the evening there with my children but each to their own.
I have more respect for the 'sex' workers than the eluded tourist that are doing exactly the same under the guise of 'relationships'.
Many of these men you describe do not see this as a relationship in romantic sense more of a business they're under no illusion.
Yes there's certainly more honesty about it, and yes, of course not everyone goes to the strip for that purpose, but it is quite prevalent and Gambia being small, quite noticable.
Bev a certain type of man is very worried by sexuality in a woman, which is why the older woman/young man thing sometimes crops up here. It usually makes me smile a bit to read as a man who has that attitude gives alot away about himself. Thankfully there are enough confident men because that attitude to women makes a man very difficult to respect and impossible to form a relationship with (well, afaic). That's not to say I find the sight of youngsters being pawed by OAPs pleasant but equally for either sex.
On a practical note though, these old men with strings of local girls, are they using condoms? If not, it's dangerous practise. |
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 23:16:28
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quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
Time tells...... marry in haste and repent at leisure is an old saying.
As for women agreeing to marry after 2 weeks...they must be crazy!!!!
Like I said it has nothing to do with age. I never mentioned either age or woman I did say 'eluded tourist' its interesting that you translated this to mean older women.
My sister attended a wedding of someone we had met 2 days before. This woman was in her late 20s(cannot remember exactly) who had been with this guy a total of 5 weeks or 3 visits. I didn't attend because it made no sense to me, but she wanted the experience, when she returned we were talking to our neighbours who knew this guy. This was his 3rd European marriage.
Its just crazy I don't blame him anymore than I blame this woman ,just makes a farce out marriage.
I don't know how often men do the same maybe its male pride that prevents them from discussing it on open forums, but most of the horror stories are from women either about their own experiences or those they have seen.
Of course there are successful relationships / marriages but these seem to be from lets just say more 'switched ' on parties.
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