By Harrison Hinton

From India sophomore year to Senegal senior year, my flip flops have been everywhere. As soon as the weather warms up they become my daily footwear. I recognize that my flip flops of all things might at first be an odd thing to think about, furthermore to write a blog post about. But as I sat in the van on the way back from the waterfalls, I started to really think about the pieces of rubber and fabric I wear on my feet all the time. 

For me, my flip flops are more than just something that goes on my feet. They represent my story, and a mindset. My flops have survived four years. At this point in time they are very battered, with dirt caked on the edges and my footprint so imprinted into the soles, the heel imprint alone has almost ripped a hole through the bottom. Since I wear them everywhere, they show not only where I have been, but lessons of gratitude and open mindedness learned along the way. And that plays heavily into my mindset today.

When I slip on my flip flops, I have noticed the way I frame things mentally. I like to think of them as my adventure shoes. Whether it be exploring new waterways or being in the village, they remind me to keep an open mind and live in the moment. They remind me of prior adventures. It’s a reminder to break away from the cycle back home, to instead live on “island time” and reflect on my life and how I want to live it.  I know they are not always the best choice of footwear, so it comes as no surprise that both shoes were blown out on the recent tiger fish expedition. They didn’t stand a chance against the volcanic rocks of the Gambia River. I was pretty sad, and even attempted to stitch them back together with fishing line and a safety pin. My repairs didn’t last long.

When I got back to the village, Kekuta immediately notice my messed up shoes, and offered to help. In fact, he took them to another villager and asked to have them sewn back together. I knew from being here that hospitality is at the heart of Senegal, and here is the proof. Kekuta recognized how important my shoes are to me, and without hesitation stepped in to help. And that action is reflective of everyone here in Senegal. I think we need more people like that back home. To me, it seems that too often people have their own bubble, and are not always open to lend a hand and help a complete stranger. That doesn’t matter in Senegal. Everyone is always ready to lend a hand, from unloading our bags to building a dozen or so beds in the shade with mattresses to accommodate all of us. 

I think everyone has heard the common quote “walk a mile in someone’s else’s shoes,” and here I have really tried to do so. No words can truly describe the feeling of being ripped away from your home, forced by the government to live in a place fifty feet from the highway with rock-hard dirt and no compensation given whatsoever. On this trip, I got to feel that earth and spend time with those people in their current situation. But as we learned about the village of Niognani, our home in southeastern Senegal, I tried to think about these people’s story in a way I might be able to relate to. I thought about the hospitality how these people have despite not having everything and despite their tragic history as a people. Hospitality to tourists who are part of why they were moved from the park in the first place. The community feels represented in how money and resources go towards the village and not the individuals. And the sorrow connected to being ripped from your home, and the lost hope of generations to come experiencing a similar upbringing. That sorrow can be conquered by the power of community.

As I move through my life, and go on to continue my story, (now with fixed flip flops) I want to be what these people have been for me. A break from the monotonous cycle at home, a helping hand for those in need, the one to put a smile on another’s face, and the one who keeps and open mind and wants to learn about others and their way of life. This place has taught me so much in a short period of time, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to come here and experience this new way of life and the ideas that have come along with it. Putting my flip flops on from here on out, I am sure I will remember.