La Maison Timbuktu

... most people are starting to get annoyed with being crammed on the boat...glad it isn't 4 days by boat. Arrived at Korioume, port of Timbukto, and then we all crammed into a small van with our gear and guide to our hotel, Hotel Camping Tombouctou. Day Four - Walked around with Brad and Lene to visit the main sites, only taking us 1hr30mins to see the lot. The oldest mosque was being ...

... but the low riv** means that we will be in late, oh well, anoth** day of boring food (who needs a weight loss program). By now the Sahara des**t sandstorms have dominated the weath**. Known locally as the Harmatan winds. They blow sand ov** ev**ything. To exp**ience this while on the riv** in the Sahara is cool. To spend all day on the boat and arrive at Timbuktu at night is a bit like hard work, but as they say on this great continent THIS IS AFRICA ...

It's been a week of hard work, sitting on the floor and trying to understand each others best business practises. We've grown to like and respect each other and the morning greetings have gone beyond the impeccable Mali good manners and are now warm and full of humour too. There are concerns for Mohamed Lamine's child who has been to hospital with a fever and sympathy for members of our group who have suffered with an 'African tummy', and ...

It's the middle of our second week in Mali, and th**e's a problem. Th**e w**e no banks at all in Djenne, and when we visit the bank in Timbuktu they will only change Euros. They won't give cash advances on my card. Sue and Steve 'phone a friend' in Hay who will send money by West**n Union, and they will lend some to me ( I spent too much money on bogolans in Djenne) but their friend has all his cards blocked and not enough money arrives to cov** my ...

Just enough time to scrub off my desert sun tan and we were rushed off to the offices of the Mayor of Timbuktu for an official welcome. Everyone had been waiting for us as we were late, so we quickly sat down and the formal greetings began. There were four other Hay on Wye people in the room in addition to Steve, Sue, Chris, myself and young Freya.Timbuktu was represented by the Mayor, different people from the Mayor's office, an NGO and two ...

The magical darkness of the night disappeared with sunrise in the des**t. Sand, sand as far as the eye can see. We really are out in the middle of nowh**e! In front of our tent is the square concrete block that is the new village school, and the new well with women drawing wat** and goats sipping from the animal wat** holes beside it. Mohamed AlHare appears with our breakfast: mutton ( or is it goat?) and round flat ...

In a cloud of sand and screech of brakes two four wheel drive vehicles swing into the yard of the hotel. The Mayor of Timbuktu has sent two driv**s and two escorts to collect us from Djenne. Th**e's much hugging and back slapping as Sue, Steve and Freya met them all in Timbuktu last year, but th**e's one p**son I recognise! In a swirl of indigo robes and turban, Mohamed AlHare makes a dramatic entry. Those of you who came to blue-ging** last May, during the ...

So, time came to leave the desert and I had woken up slightly earlier than my alarm as I wasn't feeling very well. Mohamed came bursting into Ana's house saying "Hurry Hurry, the flight time has changed we have to go...." I didn't recognise him as he had his turban off so it took me a few minutes to register what was happening. We raced to the airport, the whole time my stomach was churning, I think I needed the loo and I needed it real soon.... Once we ...

After recovering from the shock of losing my phone (and trying to explain to Ana why her toilet may ring from time to time) I set off with Mohamed around the thriving metropolis of Timbuktu. There was some sand, some buildings with awesome wooden doors and windows (all made by one family and one family only), some manuscripts, some more manuscripts, and finally some manuscripts. Timbuktu seems to be a ...

So, with the help of my friend Therese and her friend Malé from Timbuktu, a grand adventure was organised for me - Bamako to Timbuktu, stay with Malé's mother, a night in the desert with Tuareg people, then south to Mopti to see the Dogon Country and many other beautiful things before a gruelling bus ride back to Bamako. Therese gave me a mobile phone to use so we could stay in contact and she could check I was ...