Djenne

The Lonely Planet guide to West Africa opens up its description of this town with, “One of the premier sites in West Africa…is worth as much time as you can give it.” This says a lot about West Africa. While definitely a cool town with the world’s largest mud building, the giant mosque at the center of town, we feel we may have to disagree with LP on this one. Since it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, nobody can construct a building in town out of anything but mud, making it definitely interesting and visually striking: but an extended stay hardly seemed necessary.

The highlight for us was visiting with our friend Stacy. How she lives among the constant harassment of the omnipresent touts is at once a mystery and a testament to her fortitude.
Here's Sam being approached by one of Djenne's smallest and cutest touts. We’d had enough of them after a few hours. Wandering the streets during the days and hanging at her house at night was great. Stacy had just returned from the States and so, while Sarah and Mike might not have been as awestruck, Sam and Mark were completely captivated by her stories of good beer and cheese!


We then headed to Mopti. Using Susan’s house as a home base, we explored the eastern (known as “north”, although I am sure Mike Cahill, the sole remaining member of Peace Corps Malitania, bristles at the mention of a location being “north” when it is really just east) part of the country. Here’s Sam and Susan, looking giddy as schoolgirls at a slumber party to be reunited. In point of fact, looking way too much like giddy school girls at a slumber party, way too much. More from Mopti later…