Bye Bye Mauritania!

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So that’s it for Mauritania. I'm off to Senegal tomorrow. So the desert ended well. Evoku took me to his parents place in Atar the last night and got me in a cab to Choum the following day to catch a train to Nouadibou. Evoku’s family is very cute --- his wife, it turns out, is only 16 and they’ve been married for six years! Anyway, I find myself having strange paternal instincts, which must be due to a lack of intoxicants --- will cure that soon.

So I got on the train with a feisty old Frenchman named Jacques. The Mauritanians thought he was Jewish because he looks a bit that way (to Mauritanians), although it probably had more to do with him arguing over the ticket price (again fitting Mauritanian's stereotypes). The train was filthy and we were in the First Class compartment. The seats were half destroyed, but it was more than I thought I would get (also more expensive!). Also Jacques told me he just did the exact same trip I wanted to do (going to Oudane by camel). This means that Evoku lied to me! So I won’t send him any pics! Although my trip did sound more relaxing than Jaques'! Anyway, as soon as I got off the train at 7 am I took a cab straight to Nouakchott. A hellish, non-stop cramped ride, which left me barely able to walk due to my sore hip! Now at Hostel Sahara, off to sleep soon as I have an early rise for Senegal.

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Photos

On the Choum - Nouadibou Express!
Me with my fellow train compartment buddies!

Out the train window
On the way to Nouadibou... The train is supposed to be the longest in the world. It's mostly Iron Ore being shipped to the coast.

The Adrar
Cool mountains near Atar...

More Mauritania
My last days in the country

First Class!
Mauritanian Style!

World's Longest Train
Zoum to Nouadibou