Week #8 Celebrating Mali's Independence and Lots of Rock Climbing
On September 21, The Republic of Mali celebrated 48 years of independence. Prior to this time the country had been a French colony since the early 1900s. We decided that we should celebrate the day with a BBQ and African Dance performance at the American Club in Bamako. The Club is at the former site of the Marine House, right on the Niger River , and has great lawn space for playing, the best playground in Bamako, a pool, and a small restaurant. In spite of its name, it is a gathering place for many nationalities and we find ourselves there more often than we would have thought.
And the musicians on drums and balafone.
Looking at the landscape around Siby from the height of the Arch. The road leads to Bamako. Many of the trees are mango trees.
AISB BBQ Fun
A LONG wait for cotton candy for a tired little boy! (Note how red his face is when you enlarge this image.) But after the cotton candy he returned to the bouncy house for another round.
On September 21, The Republic of Mali celebrated 48 years of independence. Prior to this time the country had been a French colony since the early 1900s. We decided that we should celebrate the day with a BBQ and African Dance performance at the American Club in Bamako. The Club is at the former site of the Marine House, right on the Niger River , and has great lawn space for playing, the best playground in Bamako, a pool, and a small restaurant. In spite of its name, it is a gathering place for many nationalities and we find ourselves there more often than we would have thought.
Here are the dancers...
And the musicians on drums and balafone.
Randy and Gus check out one of the three large tortoises that wander around the American Club grounds.
Visits to Siby - Climbing and Hiking
The town of Siby, located approx. 50 km Southwest of Bamako is possibly most famous for its huge natural arch and amazing waterfall that are located outside of the town. But Siby's attraction for us has been augmented by near infinite possibilities for rock climbing. The miles of cliffs that surround the town have over 60 bolted "sport" climbs up to three pitches in length, and there are many trad. routes as well, with a range of difficulty up to 5.13 so far.
This has been a huge surprise for us. Although Mali has long been known for its amazing, world-class climbing in the East of the country, mainly the famous "Main de Fatima", we are ecstatic to have so much good climbing so close to Bamako, and it has really changed the equation to have a weekly escape from the city.
Calib Ng on a short "sport" route called "Djincono" 5.10a
Joost Guttinger and Kat Johnson on a route called "Sobeni" 5.9
Most impressive of all is that Siby also has a climbing guide service and a place to rent gear. A few years ago two residents of the town traveled to France for formal training and they have put up many of the harder routes in the area. They even have a small bar/restaurant with good fries!
The town of Siby, located approx. 50 km Southwest of Bamako is possibly most famous for its huge natural arch and amazing waterfall that are located outside of the town. But Siby's attraction for us has been augmented by near infinite possibilities for rock climbing. The miles of cliffs that surround the town have over 60 bolted "sport" climbs up to three pitches in length, and there are many trad. routes as well, with a range of difficulty up to 5.13 so far.
This has been a huge surprise for us. Although Mali has long been known for its amazing, world-class climbing in the East of the country, mainly the famous "Main de Fatima", we are ecstatic to have so much good climbing so close to Bamako, and it has really changed the equation to have a weekly escape from the city.
Calib Ng on a short "sport" route called "Djincono" 5.10a
Joost Guttinger and Kat Johnson on a route called "Sobeni" 5.9
Most impressive of all is that Siby also has a climbing guide service and a place to rent gear. A few years ago two residents of the town traveled to France for formal training and they have put up many of the harder routes in the area. They even have a small bar/restaurant with good fries!
The hiking at Siby is well-suited for smaller legs, and in addition to the climbing trips, we did another Siby hike with our friends Gunne, Lars, Jacob, Selma and Jonathon.
Looking at the landscape around Siby from the height of the Arch. The road leads to Bamako. Many of the trees are mango trees.
Looking up at the Arch from down among the mangoes and gardens...
AISB BBQ Fun
Following Randy's second day of climbing at Siby , the climbing crew rendezvoused with Stacy, Jenna and Gus at the AISB (American Int'l School of Bamako) Back To School BBQ. Stacy is the Treasurer of the PTO and suddenly up to her elbows in planning events with some of the other moms and dads. The event was held at The American Club. Here are a few pics from the fun.
A LONG wait for cotton candy for a tired little boy! (Note how red his face is when you enlarge this image.) But after the cotton candy he returned to the bouncy house for another round.
Jenna and her friend Ana take a break from the pool.
1 comment:
Washington (AP newswire)
September 29, 2008
Amid the furor following the rejection of the Bush Administrations's bailout plan, Representative Buck Uall of Texas highlighted another reason for the failure to pass. "Some Yankee liberals attached funding for some for'in schools--something about the need to teach sex education to kindergartners in Timbukto--or somewhere over there." Uall added that he's heard "stories of construction managers going on "rock climbing vacations" instead of building schools. "I'm not going to have the American taxpayer fund some son-of-a-gun's 5.14 adventures".
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