Quick note: Shot against the sun, mid-afternoon, on a sunny day (which is rare in the UK!) at full power. I only added contrast in post, after cropping, and a touch of cross-processing (Blue/Yellow). Oh, and slight vignette!

Gunjur is a little village, about 35Km south from Banjul, where we landed. No running electricity (well, actually, there is, in a couple places), no running water except for a few wells and lots of kids everywhere.

Our host was Ogis, who we met at our hotel on the second day of our trip.

He was there with Emily, Djandjang and Domingo.

He told us about the place where he lives, the compound his grandfather owned before he passed away, and where all of his family lives. He told us about the choir he is part of, teaching the kids gospel songs to sing in church. And so when he invited us, we could not resist the opportunity.

Aziz, our guide, took us by car. We bought some biscuits and sweets for the kids. And we arrived, just like in the movies, with a bunch of children running after the car, laughing and chanting to welcome us. It’s not that often that they have visitors from Europe. Even if, well, The Gambia being a former English colony, you can see a lot of British people on holiday enjoying the sun…

We started with a tour of the compound. Ogis’ grandfather’s grave in the back of the garden. The trees (mango tree, grapefruit tree, cashew nut tree, Jackfruit tree and so on) and then the well. The goats, the chickens and the pigs. The toilets, or I should say the hole on the floor! The place where they pound the rice after the harvest…

We then headed to the other side of the road, where Emily and her family live. They proudly showed us how, all of them together do their craft. There was the making of the palm oil by the women of the camp (just above). But also basket making. And Cashew nut fruit juice, in the bark of a tree carved for the very purpose. We saw how everything they have is made of what’s available to them. Like their house for example, made of mud bricks they make themselves. The roofs made of palm tree leafs. They offered us Cashew nuts, roasted just for us! And believe me when I say they do not taste the same as the industrial stuff we buy here in Europe!

I mean isn’t this crazy to us lot, living in big cities such as London? And i’m fairly aware of what kind of lifestyle I could expect to find there. But still, It was just life changing. I realized, We realized, Ilana and I, how much we take for granted the things we have. And we have such a preconception, it’s crazy. And very humbling. We are just plain lucky…

After the tour of the village, we started walking towards the sea. Ogis showed us the fields where they sowed the food they are about to harvest before the rain season starts. He took us to his mum’s plantation.

And he explained about the beliefs that are part of everyday life in his culture. Like Magic. Or what they call Jujus! These things, made by “the witch doctor”, to protect their harvest from thieves for example (see the little bottle hanging??).

And finally, we arrived at the beach. This wild, untouched bit of sand, with a strong yet beautiful ocean, rumbling and telling us to be careful. We played with the kids, took some photos… before heading back to the camp.

For some reason, after such a day, we felt compelled to leave some sort of souvenir. Something that we would probably not miss but that would show them how much we appreciated the fact they took us into their life without ever hesitating. Opening their hearts to the strangers that we were.I left a couple of my own t-shirts, and ilana gave away some earrings that she made herself. Ilana sang her song, I Choose Life – With all the kids singing along to the chorus, broad smiles on their faces, adding a whole new dimension to the song.

Here is a little taster:

And Now I am proud to say that we are friends! Real friends. We speak often on emails, and care about each other a lot. For that, I wanna thank you Ogis. You made Ilana and I two very very happy and humbled people. So for that, THANK YOU!

It’s not often that you get a chance to meet talented people like Alex. Not more than a year ago, we were talking about a potential shoot for his upcoming album/EP – I went to cover his Indie Awards performance. I saw him numerous times on stage, and his songs have left a mark in me and Ilana. He even came to my house a few times and sang a couple of tunes.

A few days ago he passed away, deciding that somehow it had to stop. Ilana and I feel sad. We hope that you’re now happy wherever you are Alex, surrounded by your lost ones who loved you and missed you. You still live in the hearts of the people who love you.

Rest In Peace Alex Holland.

Here it is, straight out from the scan, the best 5:

It’s just a shame that the strobes were pointed at me that whole time. But then again, what can you do!

The parents are obviously over the moon:

And Ilana and I were just so happy to be there:

Ahhh, we’re going to spoil her!!

Are they not beaaauuutttiifffullll???

Great Friends, like Kassia:

Like every year, they had a sculpture that they burn on the last night:

Some crazy art and sculptures:

Our Camp was just a dream:

Is it me or I can see a face in that cloud?

Some more good time… Taly and Ilana, my girlfriend:

The Worms gave a Crazy performance:

Ilana obviously couldn’t resist playing around on the piano:

We partied! here is the whole group:

Some people were just enjoying the weather, doing some more craaaazy stuff:

And music-wise, Emiliana Torrini was my favourite gig of the whole week-end (missed Geno Washington :( shame):

All in all just a wonderful week-end! Secret Garden Festival, see you next year!!!