As the rainy season has entered its prime I awoke to the sound of rustling leaves and the dribble of rain coming off the roof. I knew I would have to roll my luggage across a muddy path and condensed everything into my one large duffel so I only had to carry my messenger bag for the day. It was another leisurely morning where I enjoyed a small breakfast followed by a ten o’clock departure to visit a local artist.
We drove to a lovely neighborhood, arriving at eleven o’clock due to the congestion of city traffic and the crossing of cattle on the main road. We also spent a rather long hiatus at the gas station where this commodity is roughly eight dollars a gallon. And I thought four dollars and forty-nine cents was pricey in the windy city!
Abdoulaye Konate, a famous Malian artist of the last two decades, welcomed us into his large residence and studio where he offered bottled water, soda, and hot tea while proudly revealing some of his well-known works and recent products for private collectors. The local woman from which he purchases his damask fabric for some of his work came to display her intricate dyed cloths. The colors were so vibrant and for fifteen thousand Malian francs I purchased a gorgeous blue fabric I imagine having made into pillows and a small quilt for a guest bedroom with an African Cape Verde theme.
After our two hour visit we stopped at a local restaurant for lunch where I enjoyed a chicken, lamb, and couscous dish. The couscous was absolutely delicious with chick peas and yellow raisins. It was soon time to depart on our five hour drive to Segou, passing twisted baobab after baobab. We drove through Bingegoudou, Zamgoudou, and Sirigoudou before arriving in Segou for the night at the Hotel Independence.
After three hours aboard the bus several ladies decided a restroom stop was in order, the only problem being that we were in the middle of nowhere! So the rickety bus pulled to a lurch and off we went to find our separate bushes. Stephanie and I were thrilled to be wearing skirts and I was even more thankful for biodegradable wipes. We found a rather secluded alcove of bushes and were both laughing so hard as we stripped off our underwear and squatted low to the ground! Oh boy, what an experience. I am sure to repeat this several times during the ride to Timbuktu!
The accommodations, thus far, are actually greatly improved than the Mande Hotel. I had roasted chicken and potatoes for dinner, was persuaded to try the local dish of frog legs, sorry Heather, and a chocolate crepe for dessert.
Tomorrow we depart for Mopti, this being just a brief respite before our six hour drive to Mopti tomorrow. I am feeling slightly behind in my schoolwork, the only problem being that we don’t actually seem to have any. We have journals for both classes, and mainly I just need to spend a little time journaling for both of those in my notebook. I also need to consider my final paper topic.
2 comments:
I want dyed fabric too. Something that would look great in a huipil decorated room, bright and colorful. You look so pretty in that picture. I am jealous and wish I were standing next to you. Glad we got a chance to IM tonight, now it is time for my own bed and sleep. Miss you.
IM, you guys had a chance to IM! Now I am the one to be jealous.I read your first blog three times yesterday figuring I had time to comment before the next one was posted. Imagine my surprise when first thing this morning while waiting for my tea water to boil I discovered another blog. I want fabric too. Lots and lots of fabric! Something bright and colorful too. And how MUCH is 15 thousand, I forget the monetary word. It sounds like alot but then so did 150 pesos which ended up being 15 dollars. I spent alot more time researching on line what hotels I could find and looking at lots and lots of pictures of all the different places you are going. I feel like I have a good visual and a small feel for some of what you are seeing which helps to make me feel I am with you in a very small way. Your pictures are great. I am still trying to figure out which of those fabrics you bought me. Just kidding. What kind of artwork does the artist do with the fabric? Is that a dumb question? Does he paint on the fabric? We think of you all the time. I hope you will be able to keep up with the heavy school work load. Ha! Ha! The meals sound great. I thought you were only going to get bread and cheese! Love you and miss you. Keep the blogs coming. Mom and Dad
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