To the Niger! To water!

Dogon Country was quite amazing - super hot and dry, walking for hours each day, visiting Dogon villages that were often situated just below the old Tellem cliff dwellings, which were made from termite mound dirt mixed with water and then moulded into the cliffsides quite high up and somewhat invisble for being almost the same colour as the cliffs themselves. I have a new Dogon name that means loved by the gods, though I can't remember it right now.

Am moving fast - again no Internet for 2-3 days.

Of course, this is Africa and my 9am boat will not leave until at least 10:30.

Heading to Timbuctu (Tombouctou) for the festival. First, three days or so on the Niger River to get there and then, after three days of craziness and music, a 4x4 back to Sevare near to this town (Mopti).

Miss you guys. Feeling a little scared and challenged here from time to time. Facing my demons, I guess, and quite out of my comfort zone (am I just rusty or have I changed?). Managing to stay quite healthy (tuching wood), though the dust is murder on my throat and lungs and I have not slept well for a different reason each night. That makes it hard to be easy going. Hopefully, these three days or so on the river will be restful.

This boat ride should be great - a small pinasse (covered low dugout type boat with mattresses, a motor, a rudimentary kitchen and very rudimentary toilet and that's about it: http://homepage.mac.com/melissaenderle/mali/pages/timbuktutravel.html). Will camp on the shore each evening, maybe visit some villages along the way and be in Tombouctou in a few days.

I hope to email again in three days! I should go.

le g.