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Background: Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA siezed power in a coup in 1984. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as flawed, but October 2001 legislative and municipal elections were generally free and open. A bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed President TAYA and ushered in a military council headed by Col. Ely Ould Mohamed VALL, which declared it would remain in power for up to two years while it created conditions for genuine democratic institutions. For now, however, Mauritania remains, a one-party state. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions between its black population and the Maur (Arab-Berber) populace.

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By Bjorndahl
July 11th 2009

Finished in the Desert for Now Africa » Mauritania » Adrar » Chinguetti

Ancient City of Chingetti

So I have finished up my time in the desert with a camel ride in the Sahara around Chingetti. Left at 5 am and arrived in the nice quite town for about 7am. Was waived through all the checkpoints because our guide is a popular man (as he told us when he first met us). Spent most of the day relaxing and getting to know our roomates Olie from England and Corey from Calgary. They were there to checkout the city but would be leaving the next day. Me and Maarten would be doing the camel trip alone. Another amazing experience. [View Full Entry]

Guide Walking the Camels Away so they don't bother us while we sleep...

By Bjorndahl
July 7th 2009

Iron-Ore Train to Choum and then Atar Africa » Mauritania » Adrar » Atar

This is how I waited for the Train

Well, quite the experience. First I had to wait 6 hours at the train station because the shipment was behind schedule and it was more important than the passengers (makes sensen). Then when I finally got on the train, I began to experience the dust... My god. Lots of it. In my eyes, hair, ears, mouth. In all of my luggage. 12 hours. BUT it was a lot of fun. The train was an amazin experience. Now I am in Atar and tomorrow morning I leave for my camel ride! [View Full Entry]

By eddy15
May 31st 2009

In the Sahara - Near Chinguetti Africa » Mauritania » Adrar » Chinguetti

Camel Trek 1

So the trip in the desert has been going reasonably well. Not exactly what I wanted but at least I am seeing beautiful dunes and oasis. Tonight, my third night outside on the dunes and it seems like the best place yet. Last night was shitty as I was next to the town and in the open. My God is it hot during the day. I spend 12 and 5 pm at the Oasis reading (I just finished Margret Atwood’s “Oryx and Crake” --- it’s very good) and drinking water. Actually I have two guides --- I feel like a true [View Full Entry]

By eddy15
May 29th 2009

Off to Chingetti Africa » Mauritania » Adrar » Chinguetti

Chingetti

First some reflections on the pick-up ride yesterday. A once in a lifetime experience. I stress ONCE. However, it was very cool despite being somewhat hellish. So yesterday I decided to take a six day camel excursion with a young guy (Evoku) from Chingetti. Once we finally got to Chingetti (blown tire on the truck) a French woman gave me some good info on Senegal. Later her Burkinabe friend gave me info about Burkina Faso so I can stay at his house --- how unbelievably friendly since he has no idea who I am. Staying with Evoku’s family which includes his [View Full Entry]

By eddy15
May 27th 2009

7 Hours on the back of a pickup - Sahara Africa » Mauritania » Adrar » Atar

On the back of Pick-up

Wow, I’m exhausted!! Yesterday did little - Mathias and I tried to get some beer at the end of the night, but the only place (Novotel) seemed far too pricey. Today, after trying to exchange my pounds sterling, I said good bye to Mathias and grabbed a ride to Atar. 1500 UM seemed to be a good price, except for the fact that there were seven of us (including two paratroopers) in the bed of a tiny pick-up truck for seven+ hours. OH GOD IT WAS HOT! Also an Islamist tried to convert me. Islamist: “do you know where all non-Muslims [View Full Entry]

By pablostrip
July 14th 2008

great mosque in the dunes Africa » Mauritania » Adrar » Chinguetti

a hint

chinguetti was beautiful, but I dont feel like writting about it much. just check the pictures, Ill post something else instead in a while... oh yeah, just wanted to say that if you want to go to chinguetti you should go noow. since the killing of a bunch of frenchies in mauritania its a dessert city. me and the ppl that came with me were the only tourists in the city, and besides some CIA spies, I mean peace-corps volunteers, also the only whites (nassar in hassanian arab, a word I start to hear more and more in sentences such as: [View Full Entry]

By pablostrip
July 11th 2008

stop! Africa » Mauritania » Adrar » Choum

burrito

there are no words nor images nor smells to describe the train trip. but Ill try... so heres the thing, the train comes to nouadibou from somewhere in the middle of the dessert full of minerals, is emptied in the port, and then goes back. this happens two or three times a day (insh alah!), and of course the train is only cleaned before its loaded with minerazls, which means that by the tilme it gets to nouadibou it has a pretty thick layer of toxic silverish . and so the train leaves from nouadibou port, and sometimes (god onbly knows [View Full Entry]

By saoirse
November 30th 2007

new ramblings Africa » Mauritania » Adrar

Hey Everyone, I think it’s being about a month or so since I updated my blog. Don’t know if anyone even reads these but I thought that I would still write on the chance that people are. Things have being very hectic the last few weeks. I have being at site for about five weeks, which is to long for me. After about week four, I’m feeling the need to talk to my parents or use the computer. School has being slightly chaotic. My school director left to go to another town and he was not replaced for about two weeks [View Full Entry]

By AfricaBound
October 20th 2007

Kathie's 30th - Camels in Chinguetti Africa » Mauritania » Adrar » Chinguetti

Camel Riding 9

After a night in Nouakchott to shower and catch up on food shopping we ventured away from the coast inland to the old trading city of Chinguetti. Once a major player in Mauritania, it is still considered by Mauritanians to be one of the holiest places in Islam. The city itself is a shadow of its former self and is slowly giving way to the sands of the desert that surround it. It's incredible to see the many buildings that are half-burried in the sand, and one can only think that it is one major sand storm away from completely disappearing. [View Full Entry]

By saoirse
September 25th 2007

finally an update Africa » Mauritania » Adrar » Atar

Hello Everyone, Well, it's being a while since I posted anything on my blog which I apologize for. No excuse really, just got lazy for some reason. This posting finds me in the middle of Ramadan, though I'm not fasting but it sure is hot here. The other day atar hit 120 degress. Not fun by any means, but the cold season should be coming soon and it does actually get cold here during the night and day. So what has being happening. School ending in June and since most of my students left aoujeft to go home for the summer, [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Africa » Mauritania » Adrar