I got my bags packed on a roll heading out there and I'm ready to go looking real good

in my passport photo.

A aperture Traveler episode 702. Today the amateur traveler talks about

beaches and markets and mosques, colorful fishing boats,, and crocodiles as we go to West Africa to Senegal and the Gambia.

Welcome to the amateur traveler. I'm your host Chris Christensen. Let's talk

about West Africa. I'd like to welcome to the show Brian Escher from the World Hiker.com who's come to

talk to us about Senegal and the Gambia in West Africa. Brian welcome to the

show. Thank you. Thank you for having me.

I know you were surprised that we had not previously done an episode of Amateur Traveler

on this region and as we were talking about before we started recording we don't get as

many pitches but also there aren't as many travelers who tend to go to West Africa

East Africa, Southern Africa tend to get a little more tourists.

In general, why should someone go to that region before we focus in on Senegal on the

Gambia?

I think West Africa is really vibrant.

Several of my friends who have been there for years in the Peace Corps say that it's about the people, it's about the markets, it's about the color, it's about the way they treat you, just the life that's in the streets of West Africa.

I think we hear of the animals or the safaris maybe of

East and Southern Africa but West Africa is is really the beating hearts of the

continent with some of the most populous countries and in a fascinating region with lots of smaller countries

grouped in that you can visit in the whole region there.

Well, and we've chosen to talk about Senegal and the Gambia, one because you've

been there recently and we always try and focus in on some place that wasn't a 10 years ago trip

...