I have surrendered. For a long time I didn’t want a wall around my compound. Maybe a little overdramatic, but it always makes me think of Mutabaruka’s song “The Monkey Speaks His Mind” Besides that, I wanted to be able to look far, and see the bush and the birds and other creatures beyond the limits of my piece of land. But in 2 years time a lot has changed. More and more compounds have popped up around me. And the first thing a Gambian does after he buys some land, is make some blocks and build a wall around it. Little by little I was convinced to do the same. Right after my change of heart, I got a great opportunity to buy the blocks that are needed, and for a very good price. That’s how things go, sometimes. When in Rome… do as the Gambians do.