The Gambia, often called the “Smiling Coast of Africa”, welcomed me with warmth that lingered long after I left. Along the river banks and ocean shore, I found fishing villages, bustling markets, and a vibrancy to life that spilled into the streets. Days moved easily between the clatter of boats, shouts of greetings, scents of cooking, and encounters with kankourang, all wrapped up in ever-present smiles.