Travelogue From Africa

Recently, I took my first trip to Africa for the sake of heading out there and finding out what it was really like, to experience it and not just read about it. After some planning, I decided to get a ticket to Bamako, Mali and head out there as soon as possible. I was to stay with a woman my boss proclaimed was very nice, having worked with her before. By the time I left the plane, all I had was a name and a photo to go by.

After landing, I walked downstairs and found the woman who matched the photo in my hand dressed in a colorful African dress, smiling. She told me she was pleased to have me in Africa in her language and that she was excited I had come to visit.

I took in everything around me as we drove to her home, whether it was a dusty path, a broken traffic light or a hut along the road. When we arrived at her home, she informed me that my accommodation would not be as luxurious as the one I knew back at home but I reassured her that it would be alright, though my room back home did come to mind at some point.

The following day, we went to her office where I was welcomed warmly by employees who were ecstatic to hear I was willing to leave my comfortable life behind to experience how they lived. They said I was courageous, which surprised me. It is surprising to ever think I am courageous because of the little things I fear. This followed throughout my visit, stories of how westerners visiting them become some kind of local hero.

Feeling like a hero almost seemed ridiculous, but this feeling changed when I visited Kawerla. Crowds of people ran in the same direction with smiles, confusing me greatly. Stepping out the car, a young girl immediately handed me a bowl of water and implored that I drink from it because it was a blessing. Ignoring what I had heard about drinking tap water in Africa, I had a small sip.

Two lines of people lead me, alternating between dancing, singing and playing instruments and I looked over to see a banner with my name on it, welcoming me. The feeling and appreciation was overwhelming; these people who had no idea about me, my background or my origin but wanted me to feel so welcome that they prepared all of this for weeks.

That night, which was the night before I returned, I slept with ease despite the heat raining on my head. This trip made me feel happy, knowing that people living in poverty can still be so optimistic, smile and enjoy themselves.