. OnHiatus.com > Journal 1 > Day Index > Journal Entry: November 4, 1998

Wednesday, November 4, 1998
Timbuktu to Sevoré (Mopti), Mali
Mali's Flag

Map
Sevoré (Mopti), Mali:
Latitude: 14° 31' 32" North
Longitude: 4° 5' 48" West
Altitude: 721 feet
From Seattle: 7411 miles
Lodging: Hostel - Peace Corps House, Sevoré

Map
Today's Travel:
Country: Mali
Regions: Tombouctou, Mopti
Route: Air Mali: Flight Timbuktu - Mopti (Sevoré)
Path:Timbuktu - Sevoré (Mopti), Mali
Linear:190 miles
Weather: Sunny

Available Photos:

Sunrise Timbuktu, Mali

Sunrise Timbuktu, Mali

Sunrise Timbuktu, Mali

Sunrise Timbuktu, Mali

Sunrise Timbuktu, Mali

All photo images © 1997-2000 Anthony Jones - Images may not be used without prior written approval.

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Map
Trip Stats to Date:
Day: 573
Linear Dist: 127942
Countries Visited: 39
Regions Visited: 164
More stats...
Hotels: 172
Friends / Family: 155
Camping: 43
Hostels: 143
Transit: 53
Other Lodging: 6
Beers: 2011
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Journal Entry:
Another no sleep night. Just knowing that I desperately needed to get some sleep before the 4:30 alarm went off prevented me from doing so. The airlines bus was there fifteen minutes which really surprised me (I was worried about it not showing up at all). When we got to the airport the driver demanded 2,500 CFA (~$5) each (for 5km!), which was a surprise since I'd thought it was complementary. We refused to pay and asked them to take us back. After lots of arguing (luckily Rachel - the PCV we met on the boat - speaks French) it became clear. They weren't the airline bus, they'd intentionally got to the hotel 15 minutes early to trick us into their car. When the police showed us we reached an agreement for 1,500 CFA (what the airline car supposedly would have charged us). I wandered out into the desert to watch the fantastic sunrise, and somehow just knowing I was watching the sunrise in Timbuktu even made it better. The airplane must have dated from the 50's, two props with all the writing in Russian. Surprisingly the croissants served as the in-flight snack were excellent.

Somewhat to everyone's surprise we landed safely at the Mopti airport. Since Steven and Rachel (met on the river boat) were on the same flight and knew the way we walked the hour to the Sevoré Peace Corps house. After claiming a bed we jumped on a bâché into Mopti. With the plane arrival there were tons of toubabs (white tourists) around and thus lots'o hassles, and everyone mostly unwilling to bargain from their outrageous prices. Strangely the prices in Timbuktu seemed much better. After dealing with the obnoxious venders in the market my lack of sleep hit me and I crashed pretty hard. Tried coffee at the Dogon Patisserie - didn't help, tried cola and food still didn't help. Completely exhausted headed back to the PC house and packed a small day bag for tomorrow's Dogon country trek. Spent the rest of the day trip planing and reading, and then wandered out for a dinner of street food (egg sandwich).


Related Sites:
US State Department Consular Information Sheets: Mali
CIA World Fact Book: Mali

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