By Lillian Williams

While traveling in Senegal on the long rides with my peers around me, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of intersections throughout our journey. This might sound like a boring journey, with no turns, but the surroundings of these extraordinary roads communicate something that before coming here, I could not fathom: Nation-wide community.

With Mr. Alter’s Senegalese rap playing in the background, the sea of flat dry land with the occasional tree was interrupted by the presence of a shop, a town, or a person walking along the street. This was all connected by one road, one piece of infrastructure that can connect a whole nation. This I feel reflects the sense of community that is felt throughout the country, a vast land filled with kindness and respect towards all. The rural villagers are able to travel this straight wide road to a town that is able to provide materials for everyone, this also provides a route for those wanting to experience the true Senegal life to venture out of their comfort zone and be greeted by those in the villages.

The road itself changes as you travel along it, the city roads crowded not by just humans, but wandering goats, donkeys, and sheep. This congested road might bring stress to others, but for our van we looked in awe at the scene around us: The merchants selling fruit, the children playing soccer, and the animals grazing in the desolate land.

By the side of the road as I looked out the window, the different stages of wealth reflected as we traveled. All by the same road there was what would be considered poverty and some wealth but all were happy as we passed, waving. This reflected the happiness that can be found in life even if one does not have wealth.

One of these rural villages, Niognani, opened my eyes to something. Niognani wasn’t missing wealth, it simply had community. This close community created something special, a sort of happiness and lifestyle that can complete someone’s aspirations and fulfill a need for living.

With this community, I have found a new meaning of life, not one which is centered around money, but centered around community. Beforehand, I valued life with the state of my material access. The amount of money I had for useless splurges like Starbcuks, or the amount of fancy body wash I had left before I would be “doomed” to the fate of being “disgusting.”

Now, I have measured my life again and have realized that life is not about things, but rather the connections and emotions you feel throughout it. The fact that an entire country, through all terrains, wealth status, and happiness can be shared and connected by a nation is truly something beautiful that we can all learn from in life. Whether this be communicated through community, nature, or simply just living, this can make life more enjoyable for us all.

On this trip I have discovered a new way to experience life: Live in the moment and don’t be afraid to just smile, even when on a 13 hour travel day… feel the connections of a long road – also listen to some Senegalese rap – it’s really good!