Hello!
We're back from our travels and fly back to the States tomorrow! This might be our last blog entry from Mali. We hope you're not too sad.
Our adventure began last Saturday. We started on Bani Bus (the fanciest bus company in Mali) in Bamako and broke down about three hours into our trip. Even though we bought our tickets in advance we got the last seats and had to squish in the back of the bus; so breaking down wasn't that bad because at least we got fresh air. We made friends and played cards in the shade. When we got to Djenne Carrefour we had to hop on an open air truck to Djenne. Did you know that Djenne is a peninsula? We didn't, and suddenly found ourselves on a ferry (because during rainy season, Djenne becomes an island). Zoe took a few steps in the River Bani and hopefully she doesn't have a flesh eating virus. Sara opted for a piggyback. We finally made it to Djenne and stayed at the nicest hotel there. Djenne is famous for its giant mud mosque and Monday market. We enjoyed both, even though it was pouring. For the record, it's not the best idea to travel to a city of mud in Mali during the rainy season, but what can you do?
After the Monday Market in Djenne, we made our way to Dogon Country. Dogon country is absolutely gorgeous. Driving in, it felt like we were looking at pages of a National Geographic magazine, only when we waved out the window, the people waved back. The area is comprised of all these little villages in the countryside. Originally, lots of the villages were built into the cliffs of the escarpment, but now those are abandoned. The villages where people live now are on the plains below the cliffs, and up above on the plateau. The Dogon people mostly practice animist religions, and they live a very traditional lifestyle. Women pounded millet and men went into the brush to hunt. We walked through with our guide, who was Dogon as well, and we got a hands on view of life there. We even got our palms read by a hunter / medicine man who said that Zoe should sacrifice a chicken, and Sara should throw a nut on a path. It was sort of like an African Plythmouth Plantation, only it's real life.
We're back from our travels and fly back to the States tomorrow! This might be our last blog entry from Mali. We hope you're not too sad.
Our adventure began last Saturday. We started on Bani Bus (the fanciest bus company in Mali) in Bamako and broke down about three hours into our trip. Even though we bought our tickets in advance we got the last seats and had to squish in the back of the bus; so breaking down wasn't that bad because at least we got fresh air. We made friends and played cards in the shade. When we got to Djenne Carrefour we had to hop on an open air truck to Djenne. Did you know that Djenne is a peninsula? We didn't, and suddenly found ourselves on a ferry (because during rainy season, Djenne becomes an island). Zoe took a few steps in the River Bani and hopefully she doesn't have a flesh eating virus. Sara opted for a piggyback. We finally made it to Djenne and stayed at the nicest hotel there. Djenne is famous for its giant mud mosque and Monday market. We enjoyed both, even though it was pouring. For the record, it's not the best idea to travel to a city of mud in Mali during the rainy season, but what can you do?
After the Monday Market in Djenne, we made our way to Dogon Country. Dogon country is absolutely gorgeous. Driving in, it felt like we were looking at pages of a National Geographic magazine, only when we waved out the window, the people waved back. The area is comprised of all these little villages in the countryside. Originally, lots of the villages were built into the cliffs of the escarpment, but now those are abandoned. The villages where people live now are on the plains below the cliffs, and up above on the plateau. The Dogon people mostly practice animist religions, and they live a very traditional lifestyle. Women pounded millet and men went into the brush to hunt. We walked through with our guide, who was Dogon as well, and we got a hands on view of life there. We even got our palms read by a hunter / medicine man who said that Zoe should sacrifice a chicken, and Sara should throw a nut on a path. It was sort of like an African Plythmouth Plantation, only it's real life.
In Dogon, the scenery was spectacular. We've never seen stars so beautiful. The birds were amazing too -- bright orange, red, metallic blue, and lime green. We hiked below, through cliff villages, up the escarpement and along the plateau. Incredible.
We just got back to Bamako and we are writing from an internet cafe at the University. There are lots more stories and photos from our trip to Djenne and Dogon, but those will have to wait until we get home. We can't wait to see you so soon! We fly home on Sunday.
Love and hugs,
Zoe and Sara
Love and hugs,
Zoe and Sara
No comments:
Post a Comment