We’re 15 minutes from the opening session, being entertained buy some serious afropop. I’ll be dropping posts along the way as interesting points pop up. There are bound to be several.
This is the third such seminar here in Washington, hosted annually by the Africa Travel Association.
Last night’s ATA reception was all about The Gambia and its attractions as Africas smallast country and one of its most unspoiled, most stable and peaceful — as well as its relatively proximity to direct flights from the United States.
There also was a brief but illuminating — and discouraging — chat with Ogo Sow, a member of the ATA international board of directors. He travels frequently back and forth between Africa and North America, mainly out of Atlanta. And it’s all good.
As long as he’s wearing Western clothes, that is. Let him change into his traditional African clothing, however, and things change — drastically.
“They inspect me ten times, every time, even after I go through the scanner,” said Mr. Sow. “Every time, ten times.”
Apparently, this is not an atypical experience for Africans traveling to and from the United States.
Believe me, we will be getting deeper into this.
More later. Getting ready to start.