The People

No doubt many of your memories of iGosia are specific to the experiences we have covered: Customs, Market, Games, Food, and your lost luggage. But a visit to iGosia is much more than just  an experience with a new culture. The people of iGosia leave marks on our lives like fresh dry erase markers on cheap whiteboards. iGosians never really fade away.

In the early years of this country, just about every tourist remembered “Ernie Smith.” Ernie typified the desire of iGosians to relate to their visitors by embracing part of the American culture. Can you blame him for not quite getting HOF running back, Emmitt Smith’s name correct? At least he had the correct jersey.

And who could ever hope to forget The Whistler? Donning a sombrero picked up on the iGosian black market, he commanded the attention of iGosian tourists as he led them to the tour bus and helped them buy their breakfast. I Da Lou where he came from or where he went, but his impact on iGosia lives on.

The people of iGosia also stand out with their fashion. There are a couple popular sayings in iGosia: 1. “Don’t be a rude…get on the boat”. 2. “There is a lot of rain..stay on the porch.” Neither of these speak to fashion, but the general rule in iGosia is that anything goes. This is why you will see such bright colors clashing together, more variety in hats than at the Kentucky Derby , men wearing skirts with tuxedo t-shirts, and the occasional uncool yet somehow attractive V-neck.

Many tourists to iGosia try to ignore the fact that poverty is an issue in this country. Despite the amazing tour bus experiences, the food, and the scenery, many iGosians live with very little. Forced to beg for food and money for the baby, these iGosians in many ways seem omnipresent. Sadly, many of them are children. Some are happy and innocent, but occasionally some of these beautiful children, hardened by their lifestyles, turn surly and uncaring.

And this flashback to iGosia wouldn’t be complete without mentioning that occasionally even the amazing people of iGosia can go too far. Memorable? Yes definitely. Like the smell of vomit cleaning powder in an elementary school hallway, these memories unfortunately stay with you.

What about you? Which people of iGosia have left a permanent stamp upon your brain for good or bad? Tell us about it after you enjoy this stroll down iGosian Memory Lane.