On Monday, July 15, the Southwest Florida Sarasota) TCC Chapter convened for an engaging discussion on West Africa. Tom Gregory and Charles Bierley spoke to the group about this region.
Tom captivated the audience with a presentation about his recent trip to Senegal and The Gambia, focusing on the often-overlooked eastern region. Traveling by vehicle during the hot season, Tom provided a vivid portrayal of life along the highway, highlighting the everyday scenes of villages, livestock, commerce, and people—elements that are frequently part of a journey but seldom spotlighted in travel presentations.
Tom discussed people working in the mining of gold and the drying of salt. Thee gold mines have been exhausted and abandoned by commercial interests. Local people sift through the orange dirt looking for specks of gold left behind.
Tom also visited The Gambia taking a full day to travel only 15miles/24KM with border crossing procedures and ferry ride at the busy frontier.
Given the intense heat of the region during the trip 112F/44C travel is not generally recommended. Tom did not encounter many other foreigners.
Tom met and photographed many local people throughout his journey some of whom are in the photos shown here.
Following Tom’s presentation, Charles shared his extensive knowledge of the region. Drawing from his experiences living in Nigeria and traversing the area via bush taxis, Charles answered questions and offered insightful commentary on overland travel in West Africa. The evening was a blend of fascinating stories and practical insights, leaving attendees with a deeper understanding of this vibrant and diverse region.
Thank you Charles and Tom for a great meeting and discussion!
