Route Change!

Big, gigantic disappointment!  Because of recent tourist kidnappings and killings by "Al Qaeda in the Magreb," we won't be going to Timbouctu and northern Mali - one of the main reason I came to western Africa.   Ever since I can remember I've wanted to visit the enormous centuries-old mud mosque at Djenne,  and see the ancient books at Timbouctu and the marabout who guard them.   When I was young I continually asked my father when we were on long car trips, "where are we going and when will we finally get there?"   He always answered that we were going to "Timbouctu," which I remember thinking was somewhere out west, in Iowa or Kansas.

Insurance won't cover us if something goes wrong since northern Mali is listed as off limits for citizens of both the US and the UK.  Many of us discussed signing waivers and making our own way there for a couple of days, but decided that the reward was not worth the risk.  

We will, however  be in Bamako in southern Mali, capital of West Africa's afro-beat music scene, and hope to vent our frustration and disappointment dancing under the stars in the open-air clubs.   I hope I will be able to stay awake.

We'll be on the road for 4 days and probably out of touch for that long.

Wish me luck