We got to the ferry crossing to leave Timbuktu just in time. When we arrived, the ferry had already departed to reach our side of the river. It was blazing hot so I got out of the car to escape all of our body heat. I found a shady spot to sit in the sand and all the “pickin-nins”, as David calls them, came to sit with me and ask for cadeaus. I didn’t feel like going through the routine of why I don’t have a football to give them or money, etc. So I started up a game of tic-tac-toe in the sand, which they loved. This then led to another game; a local one. They drew up a board that was first a square and then a series of lines like asterisks within it. They then picked up whatever small bits were around in numbers; in this case peanut shells and bits of wood, three pieces were needed for each player. It was nice to have a moment to just spend time with the kids with no expectations of them getting a gift. Sure enough, the moment we started the car up again to load the ferry they still ran after the car shouting cadeau!
Our battery levels were dropping
We planned on heading to Dogon Country straight away. While we were lined up for the ferry, we met a missionary who had lived here for 23 years. He suggested for us to start in Sévaré and then head to Sanga rather than Bamba which was our plan. Lucky for us of this change of the route; just as we were outside of Douentza, the alternator gave and the battery starting dying. We were all getting nervous whether or not we would even make it to Sévaré at this point. At least we were on the main road rather than some back road going into Dogon Country!
We arrived at Mac’s Refuge in Sévaré and it was miracle. First, we were lost coming into town since we didn’t have a map for it. We got not only directions when we asked for help, but they even led us to the street that we needed to turn off on! When we arrived, Mac had literally just arrived himself and we walked in together. Each night he has a special themed dinner; tonight is Italian night! Mac grew up in Sanga so he knew the area inside and out.
Thank goodness for Mac!
Lucky for us, he helped us get a mechanic lined up to fix the alternator. Not just that we had a great place to relax…good for me. I had a little surprise while at the local internet café… dysentery, blood and all. Stopped in the pharmacy literally across the street to pick up the medicines and I should be fine in a day or so. We hadn’t planned on coming to Sévaré, but I can’t imagine how differently today would have turned out if we hadn’t.
Oh Rasa, I am so enjoying reading your daily adventures.