November 2010

3 Fun Strategies to Deal with Hasslers, Hawkers, and Touts

by phil November 30, 2010 Camel Drawing
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“My friend!” This is the universal greeting offered by those who want your money. They may or may not be offering a service in return. They are well versed in the art of psychological warfare. The more touristic the area, the more practice they’ve had. I used to play a lot of Toe Jam and [...]

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Capping the Loose Stool Count at 70, First Thoughts on Morocco, and Camel Drawing in Bamako

by phil November 26, 2010 Camel Drawing
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The loose stool count is at 61. A conservative 61 due to negligent bookkeeping in Timbuktu. Also, pooping blood should probably count double. But let’s pretend it’s 61. My goal for the remainder of this trip? Keep it under 70. In Mali, Cote D’Ivoire, and Ghana that might have been too ambitious. Here in Morocco, [...]

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5 Reasons Why Bambara is one of the Coolest Languages on Earth

by phil November 23, 2010 Mali
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Bambara is the most widely spoken language in Mali. It bears great similarity to Dioula, the trading language spoken in many parts of the Sahel, including Northern Cote D’Ivoire and parts of Burkina Faso and Niger. Like many African languages, Bambara is uncomplicated on the surface. There are roughly six hundred words. Sound primitive? As [...]

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Inside my Head: Five Months Alone in West Africa

by phil November 19, 2010 Mali
kid in bamako, mali

This title is misleading. It hasn’t quite been five months, I’ve spent very few days alone, and if you read this blog, you are already inside my head in one way or another. More than anything, you’re inside my bowels. My efforts at transparency have been somewhat one-dimensional. While I’ve been keen to explain my [...]

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An Absolute Nightmare: Timbuktu to Sevare with Amoebic Dysentery

by phil November 15, 2010 Mali
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This story has several parts. It has dragged on for too long and has been mostly about my poor health. I am sorry for that. It will be over soon and then I will talk about Dogon Country, a wedding, Bambara, camel drawing, and a few other pretty cool things about Mali. Back in Timbuktu: [...]

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Timbuktu and Back

by phil November 10, 2010 Mali
sotrama to sevare mali

This is what people say, right? I went to Timbuktu and back? To exaggerate distance? I understand. And this is why many people visit Timbuktu. They want to say they were in that place from that expression and yes it is far and yes there is nothing there. This didn’t seem like a good reason [...]

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