Bamako Journals

Bamako Mali Adventure

A September 2007 trip to Bamako by mtwalletz

Quote: Fast, eight-day trip to learn what was happening in our field of work.

8 Photos

Bamako Mali Adventure

Overview

Quote:

The most fun was in the markets with a local guide. Haggling for bargains was a lot of fun.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

We used a rented Land Cruiser with a local driver. We also used Sotreman (local taxis) to get around Bamako.

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Guest house

Hotel

Quote:

We rented rooms in a guest house where electricity and air conditioning were available by the hour and shared western-style bathrooms. We had a small store across the street and a walled court yard with laundry facilities (washer didn't work most of the time)

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on October 10, 2007

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Broadway

Restaurant

Quote:

Hamburgers. Need I say more? Also Cokes and fries. The electricity was out while we visited but there was a gas cook top available. There was a western-style toilet with running water which was much appreciated after being in a village for three days.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 10, 2007

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Visit to a village

Attraction

Quote:

Primitive. We brought camping gear in with us. We bought rice to distribute and share with the villagers. We supplemented with prepackaged food and snacks. We brought bottled water with us and cooked on a camp stove. Toilet facilities were better than we expected, since there was a built-up toilet with a seat. Washing was done from a bucket in cold water drawn from a well.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on October 10, 2007

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Artinasat and Fetish Market

Attraction

Quote:

It took us an hour to reach the market due to the volume of traffic at 9am. Our car was surrounded by sellers as soon as the driver was shown into a spot. We took two locals with us, one as a translator and one as a driver. They turned out to be very helpful, guarding us from some of the shopkeepers who attempted to box us into their shops and guiding us in the bargaining process. Our group was all female, so the two men were necessary. We had a wonderful time bargaining although we got better prices at the local market.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 10, 2007

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Koulikoro neighborhood

Story/Tip

Quote:

One neighborhood of Bamako. Very poor inhabitants mixed with better-off neighbors. Very friendly people, willing to visit and talk. The children were very interested in photos, both of us and themselves. Digital cameras were a big crowd-pleaser. Polaroid pictures drew both adults and children.