Mali, Djenne

DJENNE xxxDebbie and I were off to Djenne for the day but it was a slow go. xOnce arriving at the parking station (11:30 A.M.), we learned the trucks were no longer going to Djenne. xWell, two guys from Holland and a couple from Reunion joined us to rent a cab. xJust outside of Djenne, as our car tried to leave the ferry, it wouldn't start. xMen tried to push start it but as soon as it hit the water, they stopped.x The tourists had to pull the car out of the water. xThe driver shut the car door on my hand. xIt cut my knuckles but didn't break anything. xWhew!

The "two hour" ride eventually got us to Djenne at 3:00 P.M.. xWe didn't get done with SMERT (the national tourism agency) until 4:00 P.M. xWe were required to have a guide. x The guide was nice and did come in useful because at sunset he lead us to the top of some roofs to see the sun go down over the mosque. xOf course, he also took us to meet all of his friends -- friends who just happened to be local souvenir merchants. x

The market was the most colorful I'd ever seen. xIt was also the most unique place I'd visited while in Mali. xSo Arab! xThe mosque was huge and so beautifully made. xThere were women with black lips, nose rings, and huge earrings. xI could have taken a zillion pictures.x There was even a camel that rode into the market!

Copyright 2000 by Phillip Martin All rights reserved.	World	Mali	E-mail

the Mosque of Djenne Students of the Koran		DJENNE xxxDebbie and I were off to Djenne for the day but it was a slow go. xOnce arriving at the parking station (11:30 A.M.), we learned the trucks were no longer going to Djenne. xWell, two guys from Holland and a couple from Reunion joined us to rent a cab. xJust outside of Djenne, as our car tried to leave the ferry, it wouldn't start. xMen tried to push start it but as soon as it hit the water, they stopped.x The tourists had to pull the car out of the water. xThe driver shut the car door on my hand. xIt cut my knuckles but didn't break anything. xWhew! The "two hour" ride eventually got us to Djenne at 3:00 P.M.. xWe didn't get done with SMERT (the national tourism agency) until 4:00 P.M. xWe were required to have a guide. x The guide was nice and did come in useful because at sunset he lead us to the top of some roofs to see the sun go down over the mosque. xOf course, he also took us to meet all of his friends -- friends who just happened to be local souvenir merchants. x The market was the most colorful I'd ever seen. xIt was also the most unique place I'd visited while in Mali. xSo Arab! xThe mosque was huge and so beautifully made. xThere were women with black lips, nose rings, and huge earrings. xI could have taken a zillion pictures.x There was even a camel that rode into the market!