Other than the graffiti in English on the side of the building, this is a typical street scene in Kenieba. The escarpments surround the town to the east and the south.
There is an Evangelical Church in Kenieba. The smaller building next to it is a radio station that the church broadcasts from. It is also a landmark to help me find my house. Directions have to be given this way in Mali... road signs are few and far between. Even if there are signs, they aren't usually pointed in the right direction!
There are many artisan shops like this one around Kenieba.
This marsh/river disects the town. My house is in that neighborhood to the left, luckily on higher ground than those houses!
This is the entrance to the market. There is a good selection of food and household items, as well as clothes and cheap electronics. Everything is a little more expensive in Kenieba though, because of the gold mines.
This is one of the main roads in town. Notice the mosque on the left with the star and crescent symbol, and the loudspeaker to broadcast the call for prayer.
Another view of the marsh in the middle of town
This is my neighborhood... my house is the one on the left. My robinet, or drinking water source, is on the right. There are street food sellers out here most of the day, and there is a butiki where I can buy basic things like soap and bread right across the street.
This is the view from Jim's house, the Education trainee who will be working in Kenieba too.
I thought this street was really pretty... the big tree, thatched huts and curve in the road.
Goat
Some kids in the neighborhood dropped off this puppy the second day we were there. Jim claimed this little guy and named him Jersey.
Jersey is a photogenic puppy!
My favorite photo... I love how the colors all blend together.
A tour of my commission... this is the entrance. There is a family that lives in that house next door.
Moving counterclockwise... the well is covered by tin sheets. We use the water from the well for bathing.
A hangar with some lounging chairs and a hammock... a nice, shaded place to hang out.
The nyegen!
The view of the escarpment from my commission. That is a banana tree in the garden... Vanessa said that it bears fruit!
And the entryway into my house. My bug hut was on the wall to dry because it had rained the night before.
To get back to Kayes, we had to take public transport. This was the worst of the water crossings... to be honest, I thought the bus wasn't going to make it.
...but it did! It was a long and uncomfortable trip, but we made it in one piece.
Back on the bus
This is the main road from Kenieba to Kayes.
The scenery is pretty at least
A typical village we pass en route
Hard to believe this is the main road, but it is!
Sometimes there are beautiful waterfalls like this one that shoot out of the cliff
