A day in Bamako

Sat 14 June, 2008

Sure is warm. Reminds me a lot of Tanzania (Dec. 2007) except this time I actually have a fan in my room. Oddly enough I feel no emotion about it. It's just the way it is !! Also similar to Tanzania, there are a lot of people, they are usually going somewhere, and they all have a cell phone. That part sounds like any metropolitan city. One of the nicer differences though is that there is no hurry. That's not to say that they don't drive fast; rather it's that the people in Africa that I have met so far in my life are all "in-sync". By that I mean that they move with a natural rhythm that takes in everything that is going on around them... and they certainly have time to acknowledge one another. Amazingly you don't need firm appointment times and watches with the "in-sync pace". You just naturally get where you are going, when you are supposed to get there, with time enough to "smell the flowers". It is my opinion that this is one of those subconscious qualities about Africa that we Westerners seem to really appreciate when we come here. There is time to connect with one another. Next thing you know you are smiling... and we all know what smiling breeds... happiness.

Last night and tonight I am staying with a family. Jeremy is an American who married a Malian, named Tewah. They lived for many years in San Francisco before coming to Bamako. They have two adorable little boys (Abdoulaye and Isaiah). IsaiahJeremy is VERY passionate about Djembe drumming, he has a Djembe drum making business, and also opens his home to those wanting to learn. He offers classes here in traditional dance and ancient drumming with some of the top experts in each respective field. I was overjoyed to witness a drumming class this afternoon for several hours; it was phenomenal.

Tomorrow, early, we'll be catching a bus for a LONG ride out into the heart of this country. We'll hopefully arrive in the town of San by late afternoon. Bring along plenty to drink (I've already drunk 4 liters today). If you want to see where San is just click on the interactive Journey Itinerary map on this page.

I love you all... and an extra special thanks to my singing birds who have been flying right next to me

And I could REALLY go for a Coka Cola right now... I think I'm going through a bit of sugar withdrawl.

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Hi Deb, So inspiring to read

Posted by Karen Donovan on Sat 14 June, 2008.

Hi Deb,
So inspiring to read your thoughts as you travel yet another journey through life, Tanzania sounds a whee bit like home but warmer, we like to take things a little easier too and get there whenever we're ready, I have spent all day painting in 90 degress temp but as always the end result was worth it, "you could have missed the pain but you'd have had to miss the dance" have a wonderful adventure and thanks for the blog, be safe.... put the kettle on!!!
Love ya
Karen D

Keep flying along I love the

Posted by Jamie or Elmer whatever you wish on Sat 14 June, 2008.

Keep flying along I love the stories

Don't we all need to stop and

Posted by Alison on Sat 14 June, 2008.

Don't we all need to stop and smell the roses more often! This blog is more than I expected, thanks for inviting me along! PS..cant wait to see what we ate.

Just want you to know I have

Posted by Cindy on Sun 15 June, 2008.

Just want you to know I have been checking this each day and thanks for the updates it is very interesting to hear about your adventures -- only I am jealous that I am not there with you in person!! Some day again, we'll travel together - but for now, I guess it has to be in cyber space.
love ya!! stay safe!!

Hello!!! You are such an

Posted by Heather on Tue 17 June, 2008.

Hello!!! You are such an inspiration That's awesome that you have such close contact with djembe drummers!! I would love love loooveee to help support if there is any way you would be able to bring a djembe drum home for me, I'd gladly send money for it. Would you be able to e-mail me and let me know?? h.oberholtzer@yahoo.com Keep up the amazing work!! <3heather (aka from Skippack Animal Hospital)