Before heading to Mali, I read Poisonwood Bible by Kingsolver and The Shadow of the Sun by Kapuscinski. My trip to Mali was my first experience of Sub-Sahara Africa (not counting South Africa), and I was excited.
Those books prepared me well, for some of the cultural experiences in store for me. And, mostly, they opened my mind and set me expectations to be even more “go with the flow” in my attitude than usual. This was all immediately useful.
In Bamako, there wasn’t anyone waiting for me at the airport. Which was unfortunate since there were a crowd of guys trying to provide me a taxi ride (or sim card, or whatever I needed). I stood out like a sore thumb, being a blond, blue-eyed, American woman traveling alone. I joked around with the vendors in French, trying not to look like I was at all concerned with the situation. The situation being that I was alone in a country and continent that I was unfamiliar with, with no clear Plan B in place for when my transport didn’t show up.
I had hired a porter at baggage claim, since it seemed like everyone was hiring porters. Go with the flow. And, him standing beside me somehow made me feel more secure, which I know is silly since I had only met him 10 minutes earlier, and I hadn’t even paid him yet. But, he was at least a head taller than everyone else in the entire airport, and I liked thinking he had my back.
I pulled out my cell phone and called my local contact numbers. But, I kept getting recordings. Hmmm.
Just as I was starting to think about options, someone walked up “Cynthia!!”. It was the owner of the tour company. He explained that my flight was earlier than expected. No worries, just happy to see him. I met the guide, Oumar, and driver, Camara, I had for most of my visit to Mali, and we were off to the hotel.
I was feeling very satisfied with myself that I got through the first little hiccup without breaking a sweat.
I think of all those friendly vendors. Sure they were trying to sell me something, but when it was clear I wasn’t buying they were also content to stand around and joke with me while I tried to get my bearings. Even when I visited, Mali had its problems; it is among the poorest nations in the world. How is everyone coping now? Would they be as quick with a joke today? Somehow I imagine not, that today, survival is first and foremost on everyone’s mind.
The next hiccup was waiting for me back at the Bamako airport on the way to Timbuktu. I saw 2 women with 5 cartons of baby chicks. You’ll have to take my word for it, since when I got their permission to take photos, I realized I had left my little camera in the truck. And, when I pulled out the SLR I realized it didn’t have a memory card (the extra memory card was in the camera case with the little camera). So, I went through the motions of taking the photos, which was a little bit of fun with the women. Then I called Camara (my driver) and asked him to come back with my camera which he did. I love my driver. (it’s only now in writing this that I see the humor of Camara being my camera hero).
So, then I was waiting to go to Timbuktu!!!
And waiting.
And waiting.
After having no idea what was going on for hours, and getting up to board for every flight that was departing, only to be told “non”, I learned that apparently “the plane needs to be plugged in and charged, so we will be taking off at 11am”???
I think in this kind of situation where frustration feeds off frustration, and since I was by myself I was happy just to sit and wait. If I had been with someone else I am sure I would have been agitated. There were 6 other Americans also waiting, 2 men I didn’t meet, 2 women from Miami (Nancy and Arlina) and 2 women from outside Atlanta (Barbara and Suzy).
Finally, we did board, a tiny little prop plane with 21 seats, and a VERY cute Australian co-pilot. We flew for an hour to Mopti, stopped to let of the people off and get 5 more on, and to refuel. I guess our plane only carries an hour’s worth of fuel. As we were getting ready to take off for the 45 min flight to Timbuktu, our adorable co-pilot gave us the safety brief.
When we landed in Timbuktu, I met my guide, Sana. Sana had me sit while he collected my bag, then we dropped it off at the hotel and we were off on the city tour.
I really liked Sana and my driver (whose name I forget–so many names were thrown at me, as Sana seemed to know everyone in Timbuktu and I met most of them). He and I did most of the tour on foot since our car wouldn’t fit down the narrow streets.
I loved that afternoon. Rich history. Warm people. Once in a lifetime experience. All the kids wanted to touch me, so they would shake my hand, touch my leg, or reach up and touch my hair. Some were super cute and would walk up and say “bonjour” or “comme ca” or something as they reached out their hands for a shake. Others were shy and would just sneak a touch.
There is annual desert festival near Timbuktu that sounded amazing. Maybe I should say there was. I can’t imagine that festival will be happening again. Everyone camped out and listens to music and such.
Seeing the markets where to this day people from the north bring salt and gasoline and other goods to exchange with people from the south who bring herbs, etc. was amazing. There was one moment when we had climbed up on top of the building the big market is in, when Sana had to use the restroom so I waited for him while taking pictures, that I realized I was in Timbuktu, in the middle of nowhere, without my ID, phone or money or even knowing the name of my hotel, and was basically a complete idiot. I had total and complete faith in Sana, but what if for some reason beyond his control he didn’t come back? Fortunately, he did, and I learned not to leave my backpack in the trunk of the car. When we walked by the incense stall the woman wanted me to buy something. When I declined she said I must be single, as any married woman would want the incense to keep her man at home. Sana thought that was pretty funny!
We toured museums and mosques that house thousands of ancient Islam manuscripts. Sana and the proprietors did a great job explaining the origins and means of many of them, but it would take several lifetimes to really understand the depth of writings contained in this tiny city.
After looking at the peace flame, erected in the mid 1990s after the last uprising, I went home to get warmer clothes while Sanna and the driver swapped our BMW sedan for a 4×4. And, we headed 30 minutes into the Sahara for dinner at a Tuareg camp, complete with traditional dancing. Dinner was a yummy spicy veggie soup, followed by lamb and couscous.
It was just a few years ago I was there, but it was an experience that won’t be possible again for a while. Hopefully sooner than later, but I am not confident that is the case. The woman at the market, Sana, the manuscripts, the ancient mud building, the Tuarags who fed and performed for me, I think of them with a sense of hope, and hopelessness.
I flew to Mopti, and was met by Oumar (he and Camara drove to Mopti while I was touring Timbuktu).
On the way to the hotel he taught me some words in Bamara, the main language in Mali:
i ni sɔgɔma: Good morning.
To which I (a woman) would answer: Ntze. A man would answer: Mba.
i ka kεnε wa?: How are you?
To which you respond: kεnε, tɔɔrɔ te, ko tε, tana tε.
After checking into the hotel, we headed off for the city tour. Which was 100% walked. What an amazing day. I felt like a celebrity, with everyone waving and shaking hands.
All the kids (and some adults) shouted out what sounded like Tu Ba or Tu Babou as I walked by, which Oumar said basically meant: hey, white person!. I immediately thought of Baloo from the Jungle Book, so I kept picturing myself as a big grey lazy jungle bear ambling through town. That would be worth shouting about!!
I got to play hopscotch with some girls who we happened upon as they were playing!
Sunday is the day for weddings, so we saw lots of wedding parties. I even danced in the streets with the women at one wedding ceremony, which I was picturing the big bear dancing with all the gorgeous women in festive clothes. Funny image I couldn’t get out of my head.
We walked from 830-100, then stopped for lunch at a riverside restaurant. The other 4 ladies were there, so I joined them and we all had grilled chicken and rice with an amazing tomato-onion sauce. Delicious. But, I had to spend 10 minutes flossing later.
Oumar and I took a river cruise along the Niger. We had our own private boat, The Alligator, and stopped at a Bozo village and did more meet and greets (yes, I was Baloo the Bear walking along the island in the Niger in the Bozo village.) One house had a solar panel and a TV with soccer on, which was pretty amazing.
I wonder if that house is still standing? I wonder how that newly wed couple is doing? Did they flee Mopti? Did they stay put?
It’s about a two-hour drive from Mopti to Djenne, which has a big market every Monday. On the way, we stopped at a village to walk around and meet some more people. Everyone continued to be super friendly, and I continued to practice my few phrases.
One family let me try grinding the millet (which I was terrible at, and kept spilling the millet out of the mortar!). The scene of a woman or two standing on a giant mortal with a huge stake as a pistol is ubiquitous. Sometimes they get fancy and let the stake fly in the air for a second while they clap.
I felt badly when a few people in this village started describing medical issues they or their children were having. I guess they are used to white people visiting being doctors. (yes, I still have the “bear necessities” jungle book song playing in my head).
I don’t think I’ve really explained that all these villages we’ve been visiting, including the cities of Timbuktu and Mopti, are made out of mud bricks. It is like stepping back in time a thousand years — except for the motorcycles…
Oumar was so fun with all the kids. They just loved him. And, when he found the older kids (5th graders), he tested their math skills. They loved it. And, since he did it in French, I could participate, too. Lots of fun.
We walked past a Muslim school teaching the Koran as well as all other subjects. The teacher was very welcoming to me, and had the children stand up and recite two prayers. But he wouldn’t let me take any photos. Oumar explained the school was part of a more extreme part of Islam that doesn’t condone any photographs whatsoever.
About 20 minutes or so outside of Djenne, we needed to board a ferry to cross the river. As we waited for the ferry, there were stalls of merchants selling jewelry, masks, etc. Everyone is “Mr. Good Price” or “Mrs. Good Price”, and they will give you “the best price” and decree, “c’est pas cher”. Fun. I met two guys from Holland who drove here (over 10k kms and 40 days!). When they heard I was American they asked, “you know you are a potential al Qaeda victim here?” Um…
Four cars fit on the ferry, and the ride is about ten minutes. And, of course, there are more merchant stalls on the ferry!
Djenne was great. First Oumar and I walked through all the alleyways and met some more people. Then we visited the markets. So much color and activity and noise. And it is hot. And, of course, the roads and sidewalks and all are just dirt. And there were masses of people, buying and selling fruit, meat, leather goods, jewelry, etc. I loved it. We bought little fried kidney bean cakes, which were tasty, and tried a couple of types of berries and nuts. I was trying to be careful not to put my hands anywhere near my nose, mouth or eyes since I was shaking hands with so many people, and holding babies and such. But, then I went and touched something and put my finger in my mouth. Oh well.
In Mopti we had seen a man selling some kind of liquid medicine that will cure: diabetes, malaria, hemorrhoids, bad breath, fatigue, etc. In Djenne we saw a man selling talisman and a black powder that will do all of the above, PLUS make you a genius.
At lunch we met another guide name Moussa who was complaining about a “mean old lady” he is in charge of. I guess she is complaining about everything. He said: “why does she need a hot shower? It’s a hot country. She’ll be hot soon enough.” I guess he had a fair point.
After lunch I decided I wanted a talisman. So we found the magic man, and bought one for good look and protection, and to ward off evil spirits and jealous people. Then, we found a leatherworker who sealed it in a pouch and made it into an anklet. I should be all set!
While we were waiting for Oumar, Camara and I posed for some pics with some Fulani hats on and joked around with some of the vendors.
There was a longer line waiting to cross the ferry on the way back. We had to wait for it to cross and come back 3 or 4 times. And, of course, the merchants we out in force. So, we were waiting for quite a while in the heat. Not as much fun as the first crossing!
It was during the ferry crossings that I bought a lot of the beaded the jewelry I have been wearing ever since, to keep the Malian people I met in my thoughts.