Meat from the local butcher
Today we tried our luck again with the internet. I’m still not sure if we can be considered lucky or not. Technically, we did have spurts of a functioning connection but not long enough or strong enough to actually get anything done. After finally giving up on internet, we went over to the hectic market. Vendors would charge us a bit more (to be expected) and the surprisingly have a change in heart and return the difference. I suppose Ramadan does have its advantages; everyone is on their best behavior. We bought some goat meat that the flies were helping to tenderize and will make a nice stew out of it.
CADEAU!! GIVE ME A GIFT!!
Arriving in the main tourist area of Rhumsiki was a shock; it was the first time in our trip that people en masse were demanding gifts, money, etc. As we were trying to escape the crowds in order to find a quiet spot, we got stuck in some soggy soil. So of course, all sorts of people come out of the wood work to help and others just to check out what is going on. Some kids were demanding 100 CFA for their “help” of standing and watching. After successfully winching out of the ground a gendarmerie officer comes running over to yell at us and was demanding money in pidgin.
Stuck in the soggy ground
All of the aggressive demands for money with outstretched hands were getting old quickly. Just as we were finally getting back to the road and man got in Peta’s face and yelled at her in French how we cannot pass through here and not give him something because he has kids to put through school. How giving him a piece of candy will help put his kids through school is beyond me; this was one of the moments where it is better if you don’t understand the language and I just kept my mouth shut.
Stunning scenery in Rhumsiki
When we got to the main part of town, there was a campement with imposing cement walls all around it and a great big gate. We now understood why. As we pulled in, the masses that had been following us demanding things were all stopped at the gate and we entered for our first moments of quiet since arriving in Rhumsiki. The scenery is absolutely stunning. Everyone is a bit frazzled from the tension with the locals so unfortunately I don’t think we will linger here. It is a pity; it is a truly spectacular place.
