By Merritt Frey, Executive Director
![IMG_20200831_084649[1].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57869b409f7456109574cf2d/1618260316901-22YCV9UEMSLUGLMDZW6M/IMG_20200831_084649%5B1%5D.jpg)
In preparation for our May 13 Get to Know Mali Volunteer Evening, I’ve been digging around into information about Mali that might be of interest to those of us in North America or Europe. As a side-effect of that research, I’m positively itching to be able to travel again and missing the sights, sounds, and smells of Mali! I figured some of you might be laboring under the same problem so thought I would share a snippet here about 5 places in Mali I wish I was exploring today:
1) The Great Mosque of Djenne. For those in the know, this might seem like to obvious of a destination, but how could you NOT want to go anyway? This places amazes me for its history, religious power, community-aspects, architectural strength, and just plain beauty. Read this 2012 piece from the New York Times to see why.
2) The Dogon Country. The amazing history and culture of this region seems to stand out to all visitors — foreign and domestic. Our Malian staff speak proudly of the dancers and masks of the Dogon and every traveler who has been to visit tells me stories of the beauty of the place and the people. Maybe it is in part because the red rocks and cliffs remind me of my own state of Utah, but I sure would love to get to know this place.
3) La Dune Rose. I just love imagining floating down the Niger from Gao to this gorgeous, huge pink dune to catch a sunset. Hiking it up it would require just enough energy to qualify “adventure” but from trip descriptions it sounds as if the journey to and from the dune is the larger joy. as Even after the pandemic loosens, the Dune is unfortunately in an area that is seeing a lot of unrest and so is unlikely to be safely accessible to foreign travelers. However, you can read this short trip summary from a 2008 traveler’s blog.
4) The Bamako City Centre Market. Not for the faint of heart, but what a market! I guarantee you you’ll remember the smells of this place, even when you are gray and aged. Or at least I will. Everything from monkey parts to beautiful carvings are on display and ready for you. Although this is not a place that the internet sings the praises of (I can’t find any kind of good links to share with you), if you are missing the otherness of travel…this is your place!
5) The National Museum of Mali. I am embarrassed to admit I’ve never been to this museum, and now I wish I had! (I did visit the National Library, which was wonderful.) Don’t you miss that slow wander that we all do through big museums? Watching the crowds? Finding the little snack bar or gift shop? Oh yes, and learning something you didn’t even know enough to know you didn’t know? I miss the whole experience.
So there — a little virtual travel dreaming for you on this Monday afternoon. And I didn’t even mention the food I’m longing for. But someday soon, we will all be on the road again and until then we can dream.
