Mali Photos Seven...

Sunset on the Niger River. Each morning and each night we had gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. I am not exactly sure why, I think that it may have to do with how close I am to the equator, but the sunrises and sets so very fast, if you watch closley, you can actually see the sun move.

Despite how low the rive was there was still quite bit of boat traffic. This one, as you can see is loaded to the brim with people. The colors here are incredible and are so very representative of West Africa. Everywhere I have been,every country and region, the cloth and colors may vary but everywhere they are stunning.

On our last night on the river we stoppd at dusk to dock just off a small village. We decided to get off the boat and venture into the village. This lady was making dinner but took a moment to pause for a photo. Again, the colors that the people wear are so pronounced. It is as if the richness of the colors and the cloth represent the richness of the culture and peoples that inhabit the land. The land, especially the further north I went, became more and more brown and monotonous, but the cloth, the colors, and the people remained just as bright and warm as ever.

Two examples of boats on the river one going down (north) on the river- the one without the sail. The other using the wind to travel up (south) on the Niger. Despite the surounding environment the river is still a highway, shipping goods and people all over the country and internationally.

This is a shot from the dock in Mopti, the place where we first boarded the boat for what was suppose to be a 5 day, 4 night journey, but instead turned into 8 days and 7 nights on the river. I felt rather like Giligan; my three hour tour turned into, what at times seemed like, an eternity on the river.