The Tuareg

Today we got back from Timbuktu and are spending the night in Sevare, Mali. A bit faster drive today--didn't have to wait two hours for lunch to be prepared, and didn't have to dig out a stuck jeep.

Yesterday afternoon ten of us in the group went for a camel ride out on the dunes. Surprisingly comfortable, I can see how camels can walk for days out in the desert. They just seem to float along on top of the sand, with snowshoe-like feet.

Our Tuareg guides took us out about half an hour into the dunes, where we ran around and took some photos. We were treated to their special tea, which goes something like this:

Strong as dead
Sweet as life
Sugar as love

The first round was delicious. The leader of their group showed the best bartending skills I've seen in Africa. Pouring from the kettle two feet off of the ground into one glass, back into the kettle from another glass, then into a second glass. Repeat about 20 times until the sugar is fully mixed.

Now... time for their fun. Each of the guides set up shop to try to sell us souvenirs, which I think everyone bought something. I got a bracelet with some Ebony inlays and special Tuareg symbols.

The second round of tea was surprisingly quick, and very tasty. People started heading back toward the camels to take the ride back into town. It was at that point that I realized between us and town was a dark red, swirling wall. Ever seen The Mummy?

We were in the sandstorm within minutes of seeing it. It felt like being in a gritty blizzard... and the color inside was amazing.

I'm glad the Tuareg were still leading they way, we probably could not have been with a better people to lead us home.

Timbuktu, riding out a sandstorm on a camel.