And back into Guinea, Highlands

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Mali was rich in its own way. Villagers weren't quite as warm and hospitable in some places, but they held to their integrity. In a place where people earn $400 a year, I wasn't able to purchase a pup for $100 USD, because they follow the traditions of the Bedouin who brought Islam to them. "You seem like a very nice man, and if you could stay a day or two in the village, I'm sure someone would gift one to you." Translating that into a US Economy, we're talking about at least $5000. Know of anybody with that kind of integrity in the States? Beautiful people, beautiful spirits...

Pictures will do the talking again.

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Photos

Mosque 1
Most see the spires, but few westerners go within the walls.

Pulpit
The call to prayer is made from this place in the courtyard, and perhaps even speaking or Khutbahs (sermons).

Arches
I'm told one wealthy man paid for all of this construction, his gift to God.

Breakfast
Stopped in for a real breakfast at a B&B. The rabbits were free to roam and munch in the back yard.

Near Pita
The land opened up, then fell away... and one could look out across the vast gorge to the sheer faces many miles across, see waterfalls... Much cooler up here and a rich, beautiful place. I'd pick here to live, of all I saw in Guinea.

Typical roads
This is normal for the unpaved roads in Guinea - good, even. Some had potholes the size of a car. The conditions kinda force you to go slower.

Beautiful but Deadly
The forests, the streams... if only the water weren't so dangerous to drink.

What? No bridge?
It looked impassible, but I hadn't come that far to be turned away by a few dozen meters of water!

Journey's End?
No!!! No, it can't be!!! But wait... there's a rickety old ferry... prices negotiated, and the deed done, we'd soon be back on our way.

Longhorns
I wonder if the bigoted rednecks realize that their beloved long-horned cattle come from Africa.:)

Bush Taxi
Just before dusk, we made passage across the river behind this bush taxi.

I want a hut like that!
Everywhere I went, people were fascinated with my mobile hut. Quickly put up and self-standing, it definitely made the trip easier.

Termite Mound
No trip to Africa would be complete without witnessing one of these!

Evidence of the Frontier
I'd been told, warned, badgered that one cannot take a 2 wheel drive through the Frontier on into Dakar. "Quatre-quatre!" (4-wheel drive) they insisted. Wanna bet?:)