After the Old City…

18. November 2007 by admin.

Our guided tour ended with numerous visit to local artisans workshops…

The famed ebony trees In the backyard of Bobo’s cultural museum, a couple of artists were working. Jonathan and a batik artist who explained the process of waxing and dying. He had a large order to complete.
A welcome change, these artists didn’t push their wares on us and let us take photos.

A wood sculptor’s outdoor workshop.

A copper sculptor heating up his oven.

He was so sweet to give me one of his creations, for free! I gave him a gift in return for his kindness.

Bobo’s river with their sacred fish that they don’t eat.

Earlier on in the day, our guide told us there would be a “fête des masques” (a mask ceremony). Someone important had passed away in the city and this would be part of their funeral.

For some reason, I was picked out and led to the inner circle of obsevers where I snapped a couple photos while being jostled around. Children were also in the crowd being pushed and crying by adults. I was afraid of them being squashed.
 Being in an excited mob is full of uncertainties and I was a bit scared of what would happen. But I was well protected by this man and his friend who offered me a stool to sit on. Afterwards, they asked for a little gift, which they totally deserved! The “fetisheurs” seemed possessed, dancing around, sommersaulting, etc while a man played the djembe and the crowd cheered them on. A couple of other normal people joined by sommersaulting and dancing too. Another type of “fetisheur” dressed in grass, chased people with a whip. Fortunately, they don’t whip foreigners and only scare people they know. STILL. Near the end of ceremony, when I had safely escaped.

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Bobo continued…

17. November 2007 by admin.

Where did I leave off last time? Ahh…Bobo and the the old city. After viewing the Old Mosque, we paid an entrance fee to see the Old City. Apparently, the funds are used to pay for reparations and initatives for the residents, our guide explained.

Children outside the walls.

The main entrance to the Old City.

The Old City is indeed ancient, as you’ll see in the following pictures. There’a a Muslim, Animist neighbourhoods, etc, all controlled by single chef. I tried to get a clear explanation of how people get a house there, pay rent etc. From my observations and our guide’s explanations, initially families were chosen by the Chef to reside there and the turnover is low. Rent is paid out in the form of gifts, may it be cash, an animal, etc. From my understanding, it’s very informal. Our guide, taking us down the narrow streets.

A resident’s courtyard with a banana tree and a dead chickadee…

A type of grain, red mil is used as a carb side-dish and in beverages, such as “Dolo” which is a warm beer.

As a non-beer drinker, I tasted a bit and then gave it away. Plus, it was warm!

The hen who chased Jonathan and I when we approached too closely to her chicks.

A drum parade on the main street, while I was relaxing in front of one of our numerous boutique stops.

Sitting alone brings curiosity.

The little ones began to ask for a “gift”, usually meaning money. But the older girl in the 28ers t-shirt chased them away, saying “Laisse la!”, meaning “Leave her!”.

Photo courtesy of Michelle.A child playing on the street.

The river which passes by the Old City.

A pig drinking in the river.

The city through a window.

Drying clothes.

 Reminds me of photos I’ve seen of Brazlian favelas. Every country has their ghettos.

A man walking on the outskirts of the Old City.

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Banfora continued…

11. November 2007 by admin.

Day 2, early morning fog greeted us on our way to Lake Tengrela. We slept at the sister hotel of “Hotel Canne à Sucre”, run by a Brit and very chic. Ours wasn’t as nice as the original, but it was clean, modern, and sans-insectes! I brought my pilates mat to sleep (for free), since the double bed was taken up by Michelle and Cindy.

Upon our 7am arrival, a group of Frenchies had beat us to the first boats!

While we waited, a woman was washing her clothes by beating them on rocks and another was washing corn, no photos of her.

After they were off, all they had left was a leaking boat, not very reassuring…

Michelle and I making our scared-shitless faces, while trying not to crack up at the situation we had put ourselves in. Hippos are known to frequent the Lake, if one is “lucky” you can catch them in the early morning or before sunset. Obviously, we were not “lucky” enough, the wet season had just ended which means the level up the lake is higher, and they retreat to shallow waters. We were told to come back at sunset to see them on dry land, or in December.

Other tourists trying their luck.

Unlike the other boats, at least we had a rower and someone who was scooping out water full time.

It was evident that we were not going to see any hippos. I settled in for a nice boat ride.

Near the lake there was a “camping” site run by a family wher we took our breakfast. These are their kids, ALL of them. A pair of twins on the left side.

It seems the children are more interested in me than anything else. I suppose they don’t see Asians very often. Note the little boy.

After a lunch of braised fish and atiéké (coucous, mil, cucumber, tomatoes and onions) which took forever, we took off to see the peaks of Sindou. Which is like the domes…but spikey not round. Some advice for those travelling to Africa, if its not meal time, order before you’re hungry because it’ll take 30 minutes to 1 hour or more before you get your food…that’s only if they get your order correct.

A panoramic of the peaks, click on it for a larger version.

A view from the welcome stand, where the guides and their friends hang out under a straw roof.

Our knowledgeable guide who explained the history of the peaks and initiation rituals that take place there.

Another group of tourists, who we ran into later at our second visit to the cascades.

How long will it manage to balance like this? Only time will tell, and I’ll definitely not be there!

In the distance the road to Mali, a neighbouring country.

My sunhat proved useful in the bush.

The valley below.

A centipede!

Since our day began extremely early for hippo watching, by the time we visited the peaks there was enough time for another activity…the cascades once again!

We left around 5pm for Bobo, which was a bit late. We were advised not to travel at night due to road closures, which basically means robbers who cut off the road and steal your valuables. Luckily there was enough traffic since the sun had just set and we arrived in Bobo safely.

Jonathan, Alex, Michelle and Cindy at “Les Bambous” for dinner.

Entertainment for the night. Check out his painted cora!

We slept at “Hôtel des Cocotiers” in Bobo, near City Hall. Do not go there if you are either:
1. Afraid of insects
2. Germaphobe
3. In need of a fan to sleep

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