"OBAMA! OBAMA!"

Last Tuesday I showed up to school around 11:30 (I only had one class that day...I didn't oversleep). Usually power comes in Basse from 11am-2pm and then 6pm-2am. However, when I walked into the computer lab I saw that the computers were not on.

I asked the other computer teacher what the deal was.

"I have no idea. We have cash power, but the power is not on in all of Basse."

"Oh, it's for Obama," interjected one of the students.

Koriteh, Tobaski, Obama's Inauguration-the only times Basse changes its power schedule. Turns out they pushed power back so that it would run from 3pm continuously throughout the evening so people could watch the inauguration.

Which just adds to what I already knew...Gambians love Obama. I feel like there has been a lot of talk about how the whole world was paying attention to this election, but it's absolutely true. For about a week after the election I was greeted on the street, in the market, etc. with "OBAMA! OBAMA!" I have met a total of 2 people who supported McCain. Two. I asked some guys I know why this is and they told me, "whatever happens to America affects the whole world. If America is at peace, the world is at peace. If America is having disturbances, the world will not be happy."

But why does that mean they have to support Obama? "John McCain is a soldier. He is liking war too much." True or not (I won't say my opinion either way) many people see McCain as another Bush who will be at more with many people. There is hope here (and from everything I hear on BBC there is also hope around the world) that Obama will be more likely to seek peaceful solutions.

After school I went to a video club that was open for the inauguration with a few other volunteers who were in town. Aside from these volunteers and myself, the video club was filled with Gambians (I would guess around 30). It was quite an experience to see the reactions of the Gambians throughout the process. There was applause as Obama came out of the capitol building. Then there was silence as he took the oath, met with more applause when he finished.

Not everyone is happy about the result of the elections. I understand that. I have received letters from people back home who were quite upset. But no matter who you supported, you could not have felt anything but inspired and encouraged to see the reactions of the people here in Basse. I'm sad that more people were not able to have this experience. It is also inspiring and encouraging to see that both sides are coming together to promote national unity and responsibility of each individual citizen to help make a difference.

Anyway, I thought I'd share the experience. I hope it provides some kind of perspective that you didn't get back home. For those who supported Obama, congratulations. I hope you enjoyed the inauguration. For those who did not, I hope you will follow in the steps of John McCain in supporting Obama. There is a lot of hope in the world right now. People are excited. Go with it.