11 Ways to Spot an American in West Africa

I have been in West Africa for nearly 3 months now and I know without a doubt that I stick out like sore thumb. Here are 11 ways you can spot our group from a kilometer away.

1. Little children yell “YEVU! YEVU! YEVU!” as they walk down the street which means “White! White! White!” 
2. Unlike the locals they will always be fully clothed
3. Many of them cary around a hand held fan because they are not used to the heat
4. At any given time in a group, one or more will have a camera out taking photos or videos 
5. Anybody wearing a fanny pack
6. They are the ones walking down the street with a grocery bag in hand full of snacks 
7. Anyone wearing a baseball cap. (I guess it is the great American pastime) 
8. They are the ones getting overly excited about ice and/or ice cream
9. Anyone wearing sunglasses 
10. The way they speak, not only is it just louder in general but the accent is unmistakeable
11. If they are carrying a bag, it will without a doubt, have a travel sized hand sanitizer in it