Author: jenjedda

Rewind to Mopti and Sevare

I have just completed a day of pure laziness…and it was wonderful!  My biggest outing was this morning when I decided to walk to the muslim cemetary (incredibly uneventful except I got lost).  After about an hour winding through the streets of Segou relatively unharrassed by people wanting to sell me something (which I considered a… Continue reading Rewind to Mopti and Sevare

Today could have been my favorite day in Mali so far!

My original plans for tonight was to write about my last destination, Mopti and Sevare….but I had such a FANTASTIC experience today I wanted to get typing about the unique events I witnessed today. First of all, I don’t think I can stress enough how much I enjoy this little town of Segou.  Since I… Continue reading Today could have been my favorite day in Mali so far!

Dogon Country!

***Note:  I started writing this post 2 days ago, but TONS of internet connectivity issues prohibited me from actuallly posting it until today.  The good news is that I have stable internet access for the next 3 nights….which means I will be doing some catch-up work.***** Before I start sharing the majesty of Dogon Country…I… Continue reading Dogon Country!

Djenné and A Small Meltdown :)

I have decided money passes through my hands here like the sands of the Sahara…..very easily.  I was a bit astonished looking at my bank statement just now….counting backwards from 10 now…..10, 9, 8….and this is only day 10 of this 2 month trip….7,6,5….. I also just got done bargaining with my 2 guides about… Continue reading Djenné and A Small Meltdown 🙂

Segou on the Niger River

Yesterday was just a day of waiting and white knuckles.  I waited for most of the day for my ride to my next destination, Segou….a 2:30 leave time changed to a 4pm leave time but we ended up actually leavng at 5:30pm (patience is definitely a virtue in this great nation).  It gets dark here around 6:30…and the drive to Segou… Continue reading Segou on the Niger River

“Africa’s most African City”

Today as I was walking over the “Old Bridge” in Bamako I told to my new friend, Samatha from Seattle, “I don’t know how I am going to be able to tell people back home about the things I see here.”  Everything here is so raw….humanity at its purest and most basic.  They say that… Continue reading “Africa’s most African City”

HAKUNA MATATA!

Hakuna Matata…they actually do say that here in Mali, even though the phrase is Swahili.  I am not quite at the “No Worries” stage :)….but working on it each day! So I write this now from a little hotel called The Sleeping Camel in Bamako, Mali.  My room is absolutely bare minimum in its decore and furnishing….but… Continue reading HAKUNA MATATA!

Me? Senegalese? Oui!

I know I have been in Africa the last 3 days, but today I really FELT like I was in Africa.  I don’t know if I can explain the change…I think it is a little bit of everything: acknowledging my own culture shock and a bit of homesickness, recognizing the power of this place and how it… Continue reading Me? Senegalese? Oui!

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Categorized as Senegal

Gorée Island and The Door of No Return

***Due to Power Outages (that apparently happen all over Africa all the time) there were many technical difficulties posting this last night :)…alas here it is today, one day late.  These events occurred yesterday, Sept. 27.  As a note, as I write this there is Xmas music playing in the background….hmmm *** Although I was tired when… Continue reading Gorée Island and The Door of No Return

I am in AFricKa :)!

My first full day of this 2 month sojourn is officially complete!  And, geez, did it beat expectations! Few Senegal Fun Facts: Languages Spoken:  Wolof, French and not enough English 🙂 (oh wow am I having to learn French phrases fast!) Population in Dakar:  5 million souls Population in Senegal: 14 Million Independance Earned in 1960.… Continue reading I am in AFricKa :)!