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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On to Bobo-Dioulasso

12. November 2007 by admin.

After a sleepless first night at L’Hôtel des Cocotiers, we went to a bakery for breakfast, which took around two hours. It seems efficiency at eating establishments run by Africans is not a priority here, but charm makes up for it all. Unfortunately, not in my North American mind where customer service is number 1! I ordered eggs, a cafe au lait and orange juice. My plate was served last, despite it being sunny-side-up eggs with sausages and the others omlettes with all the toppings. We were given our drinks LAST. We were all very thirsty at that point and noticed a family of Nasaras came an hour after us, and left 30 minutes before us. I guess their waitress was better at her job. Another word from the “wise” when ordering: don’t have your heart set on anything in particular, have two or three choices in mind (in case they run out). Also be clear to make the servers repeat your order before they go to the “kitchen” (if they end up going there directly) because they’ll nod “yes yes”, but in reality they misunderstood and are confused.

Onto our city tour which began by hard bargaining a local tour guide. We walked to the old Mosque within 5 minutes (one good thing about our hotel was the location).

I can’t tell you much about the mosque, because I was half asleep. Enjoy the photos!

The entrance, note the restriction against cell phone use.

Cans for washing

The washing area.

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