This is market day - along the river.
Sun setting on the Niger River!
We just returned from a weekend trip to Segou, Mali. It is a little town right on the Niger River. We stayed at the Independence Hotel on the outskirts of town. It had a great restaurant and a beautiful pool. It was a fun 3 days spent with our fellow teammates. We played games, swam, shopped, and ate. On Saturday we went to a different hotel for lunch and then shopping around the hotel - that was stressful. They are very high pressured in their sales tactics - on top of the language barrier.
Saturday we also went on a tour of a Bogolon factory. This is a type of fabric they make from all natural things - it was first created by accident. Women used to smear mud on their husbands clothes so that he could be less visible when he went hunting - they realized that it stained. They started making the fabric. Now they have created many different colors and designs. The cloths had a message on it. We were able to make our own messages and mini cloths - that was a lot of fun!
Saturday we also went on a tour of a Bogolon factory. This is a type of fabric they make from all natural things - it was first created by accident. Women used to smear mud on their husbands clothes so that he could be less visible when he went hunting - they realized that it stained. They started making the fabric. Now they have created many different colors and designs. The cloths had a message on it. We were able to make our own messages and mini cloths - that was a lot of fun!
Sunday night we ate dinner at a restaurant on the Niger River - it was gorgeous. We were able to watch the sunset, the boats, children getting bathed, and we were able to catch a glimpse of their ordinary life.
We went to Market Day on Monday - that is the day where all by the river the vendors come out in force to sell to all of the neighboring villages. They come over by boat and stock up and then had back. It was a myriad of sights and smells. We thought the fish section was particularly overwhelming, until we ventured over to the manure section. That almost pushed us over the edge! We decided among the 3 adults that went, our mantra was "we are in control". When you shop here - as I have posted before - it is very different. We left shopping on Saturday very stressed and drained! But we were determined to stay in control and determine what we are willing to spend beforehand - that helped a lot!
Here is a link to a slideshow I created: http://www.photoshopshowcase.com/Go.aspx?AID=187297&AT=3&VID=599989&ABID=585732
We went to Market Day on Monday - that is the day where all by the river the vendors come out in force to sell to all of the neighboring villages. They come over by boat and stock up and then had back. It was a myriad of sights and smells. We thought the fish section was particularly overwhelming, until we ventured over to the manure section. That almost pushed us over the edge! We decided among the 3 adults that went, our mantra was "we are in control". When you shop here - as I have posted before - it is very different. We left shopping on Saturday very stressed and drained! But we were determined to stay in control and determine what we are willing to spend beforehand - that helped a lot!
Here is a link to a slideshow I created: http://www.photoshopshowcase.com/Go.aspx?AID=187297&AT=3&VID=599989&ABID=585732
NOTE: We have had some trouble with that link. If it does not work for you, comment or email and we can send you an email link directly.
4 comments:
Hey Guys,
Sounds like a great weekend. What memories you are all building. I tried to go to the slide show and it kept saying an error occured. Wish I could have seen it.
I'll try tomorrow. Maybe it's my computer.
Love and miss you guys
Nancy
Hey guys-
Troy and I think that west africa and Haiti probably feel very similar ... the history books say that some Haitians came to the island from Guinea West Africa --- the culture, traditions, and lifestyle came with them -- so often Haiti is called the Africa of the Caribbean. We want to come visit you and experience Africa to see if this is true or not. Thanks for all you're doing to keep us all in the loop! Strong Work !!!
The slide show is awesome! Can you believe you are in AFRICA?! How cool is that?! I am so excited to see how you all are doing and how God is and will be using you all. Still praying for you constantly over here.
Sandy VH
Hey Ya'll, we are so excited for you guys and the photos are great. I'd say you are ready for the "Commission" magazine!! So glad that you all got to have some fun family time. We look forward to these updates Know that we are lifting you up to Father!
Grace and peace,
Drew, Lisa, and Aizlyn McKneely
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