Sofitel

2 Coke's = $6.00 USD

2 Chicken Club Sandwiches = $24.00 USD

2 Ticket's to the Sofitel Pool & Resort = $20.00 USD

A day at the pool while the mechanic is working = PRICELESS!

Meet the Drivers

Driving in Bamako is very difficult and traffic often consists of dogs, cars, bicycles, donkey carts, motorcycles, people, goats, SUVs and kids. Both drivers are responsible and friendly. They are contracted for the duration of our stay in Mali.



Moussa- Moussa is 38, married, and has 4 children (3 girls and 1 boy). His wife, Fatou is a midwife at a local clinic. He speaks very good English and is our main source of translation. Moussa drives a Chevy Venture Mini-Van. We feel right at home in this vehicle!

Talla- For the ladies out there...Talla is SINGLE! He is 27 years old and has poor English. He is currently learning time, numbers, and the days of the week. Talla drives a Peouget 407, a 4 door French car similar to a Honda Civic. Talla keeps us laughing!

Mali Flowers & Plants

The rainy season has started and several plants and flowers are in bloom.

Our Front Yard

The Apartment

For those of you who don't hear from us on a regular basis (which I know is most of you), Jody and I moved into an apartment here in Bamako. We decided that staying in the hotel was quite boring. So our apartment adventure began!

After looking at several apartments that were either not furnished, unsafe, dirty or inhabited by "things" (ie. lizards, bugs, etc.) we picked this little place in Badalabougou (in Bambara Badalabougou means "place by the river"). We heard about the apartment from a pilot at the airport. Usually the apartment is rented out to a charter pilot.

The apartment is on the second floor and comes with all of the ammenities we have come to love in the United States- fridge, microwave, towels, sheets, dishes, washing machine, air-conditioning, stove, furniture, and of course a hot shower!

Since we live near the English school, we have several American/Canadian neighbors. In otherwords...we don't stick out as much. The place has three bedrooms, two full baths, living room, and a kitchen.

Here are some pictures of our place.


P.S. If you find yourself in Bamako stop by and visit!
P.P.S. Our apartment is on the second floor and that is our guard dog!