Tiebele Painted Houses
Tiebele Painted Houses. The truck grooved down the fairly-well graded dirt road. The windows were rolled down, orange/brown dust poured in. There was no AC. It was well over 100 F and I was covered in a permanent glaze of sweat. I was in southern Burkina Faso, near the Ghana border, heading to the painted village of Tiebele. Burkina Faso? Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa. Burkina Faso become a French Protectorate in 1896 and today most natives speak French as a second language. Per capita income is less than $700 a year with most Burkinabé involved in agriculture. My guide, and now friend, Marlon, finished a cold coke in an outdoor restaurant. Marlon randomly spoke to a young man next to us. Marlon learned he had a cousin in the village of Tiebele. Moments later, this man joined us on our hour roadtrip to the village. The locals are genuinely friendly. Marlon thought it might help us to have a connection when we arrived in the village. The Kassena people settled in [...]
Timimoun, Sebkha Circuit, And Sahara Desert
Timimoun, Sebkha Circuit, And Sahara Desert. The bus rolled to a stop. Sand danced on the bus’s window. “Timimoun, Timimoun!” the bus driver’s assistant hollered. I grabbed my bags and pushed my way through the crowds and exited the but station. A lone taxi driver waited. “Bonjour monsieur, je veux aller Ksar Masine Hotel.” My 10th grade teacher would be spinning in his grave in shock and surprise that I was able to construct a simple sentence in French. I was not known as a French scholar during my school days. Fifteen minutes later and 60 cents poorer I dragged my bag into this very isolated hotel. My hotel. I took in the scene. Twenty men dotted the lobby and the adjacent patio, all clutching their mobile phones. Algerian music blared from parts unknown in the hotel. I stood at the unmanned reception desk and scanned the lobby for an employee. Eventually, a thin young man approached the desk, and welcomed me with a toothy grin. I was in Timimoun … a desert town in [...]
Ghardaia, Algeria – Off The Beaten Path
Ghardaia, Algeria - Off The Beaten Path “(It) was oppressed by a scorching climate…was covered in harsh deserts, and only a small part could sustain life. The landscape was covered with sand dunes, mountains, and canyons which made traversing very difficult.” Source. I feel this is an apt description of the exotic M’Zab Valley in Algeria, but this text is describing the fictional planet of Tatooine, Luke Skywalker’s home in Star Wars. I attempted to blend into the background at the lively local market in Ghardaia, observing the different cultures in local dress go about their business. As I watch, I recall the varied mix of peoples in Mos Epsa, one of the port cities of Tatooine. Nearly 400,000 people make their home in the M’Zab Valley. M’Zab Valley is a pentapolis (how about that for a cool word), comprised of five towns, including Ghardaia, the defacto capital. The M’Zab Valley is 600 km south of Algiers, and the valley is located in the Sahara Desert. This area was settled in the 11th century by the Mozabites, [...]
Roman Ruins In Algeria – The Great, The Good, The Subpar
Roman Ruins In Algeria - The Great, The Good, The Subpar. When you think of Algeria, visions of Roman ruins might not be the first thing that pops into your mind. But you might be surprised, northern part of Algeria that traces the Mediterranean is dotted with Roman ruins. Across the coast visitors can find a number of Roman ruins. The Roman Empire in 24 AD annexed the northern part of Algeria displacing the native Berber population. The Romans began to construct forts and towns as they expanded their rule. During my stay in Algeria I visited three Roman ruins. One a must-see (Djemila), one worthwhile (Tiddis), and one I wish I skipped (Tipaza). Djemila Djemila is a well-preserved Roman ruin in a beautiful setting of rolling green hills. This Roman colony was established at the end of the first century AD. The ruins are spread out over a large expanse. Djemila’s highlights include the Arch of Caracalla, the Temple of Gens Septimia, and a 3,000 person theatre. In addition to the impressive ruins at this UNESCO site, [...]
Three Days In Algiers – What To See
Three Days In Algiers – What To See. Algiers has no must-see monument such as the Eifel Tower, Machu Picchu, or Angkor Wat, but is more of an atmospheric city. Algiers is the capital of Algeria, a city of 3 million people, located on the Mediterranean Sea. Algiers was originally settled over 1000 years, was at one time part of the Ottoman Empire, and then colonized and was part of France from the mid-1800s to 1962. Algeria won its independence from the French in 1962. Algeria was ravaged by a brutal civil war in the 1990s, where over 100,000 perished. Today, Algeria is a republic with the military holding strong influence. Today, Algiers is an attractive city set on the azure sea, with faded colonial French architecture and undulating hills. It is a lively and active city. I felt safe and secure while alone in the city. There is a lack of western tourists, and I only encountered a handful over several days. I spent three nights exploring the city and will share with you the highlights [...]
Tunisia – 110th Country
To see where I have been so far, check out my map as I count down the final 93 countries on the road to all 193 UN countries. Tunisia is my 110th country. Check out the best 193 travel books to read! I stayed for three nights within the historic medina of Tunis. Streets and paths weaved together creating a maze of mosques, shops, restaurants and homes. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to the 7th century. Tunis has been subject to two brutal terrorists attacks focused squarely on the tourist industry, a major driver for the Tunisian economy. I spent a couple of days exploring the Medina and the nearby neighborhoods. A highlight of my visit was the Bardo Musuem, a must-see in Tunis. It houses an incredible collection Roman mosaics. The museum is practically devoid of visitors. Bardo Museum Tunisia – 110th Country
