First Visit by Ambassador Club President of the Gambia, Biram Saidybah

I arrived in Boston on Friday October 24th after a hectic 21-hour journey from Banjul to Boston via Dakar and New York City. The weather was rather difficult for me (extremely cold) but the United Planet team immediately rescued me. They provided me with warmer clothes that kept me comfortable throughout my stay in Boston.

I vividly remember the big, tall buildings of New York, Boston, Harvard, Cambridge and New Hampshire that impressed upon me the power, intelligence and abilities of the US. The UP team also took me to see: beautiful fish and other sea animals at the New England Aquarium in Boston; paintings and other magnificent art work at the Museum of Fine Arts; and a LIVE American football game in the town of Milton.

I had meetings with the wonderful and energetic United Planet Team at the Boston Office. Ebony, my able and level-headed Ambassador Manager, in consultation with the senior team members, kept me busy throughout my stay.

I discussed my culture, country and Africa in general with schools, colleges and other communities, including the Warren Prescott Academy, Dover High School, Health Academy, Harvard Kent School, Dorchester School (Cultural Kitchen) and Travelers’ Century Club/Global Citizens dinner. I was generally moved by the caliber of people I met in all these places. The students, teachers and other members of society asked a lot of questions which increased my understanding of the world.

The UP Team and I volunteered in the Pinestreet Inn shelter kitchen to provide food to the homeless. I accompanied team members to Harvard University lectures on journalism and public health. Harvard, I was made to understand, is one of the most respected universities in the world. I was able to see a glimpse of this during the lectures I attended.

I also attended a peer Ambassador Club member’s meeting at Boston University and took part in the American Halloween tradition of Trick-or-Treating by giving chocolates to children and dressing up in costume.

My journey took me to various homes and places. I spent the majority of my stay at Hostelling International in Boston. This is where I met many people also from different backgrounds and nationalities. We talked, ate together, slept in the same room and exchanged ideas. It was such a nice place to live. Another wonderful place I stayed was Dave’s House. I lived and interacted with his family very nicely. Like father like son, the two boys (Tristan and Troy) were very welcoming and open-minded despite their age. Troy always emerged the winner during our Jenga matches, but Tristan helped as my instructor. Mrs. Santulli served me very nice foods and, to be truthful, I enjoyed it all!

I had the opportunity once again to meet with another very special person. Everett was his name and he is such a wonderful fellow. He has a vision too, and that is uniting the world through couchsurfing. I also met a person from Thailand for the first time in my life at his house.

Conclusion
Generally, I enjoyed every bit and piece of my trip and this was all possible because of the wonderful and noble vision of United Planet. I am convinced, beyond all reasonable doubts that this wonderful organization is out to unite the planet! The team at the Boston office is living witness to this fact. The team consists of wonderful, kind and sociable people from different nationalities. I was really moved by the level of welcome, support and guidance I received. I kept wondering how it is possible on earth that something/someone can bring together such nice people. My schedule for this visit was so wonderfully designed that I could interact with every member of the team and to be frank, everybody in the office is so special!