MALI IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE MOST FASCINATING COUNTRY I'VE BEEN TO IN MY LIFE. HISTORY, TRADITION AND CULTURE OOZES FROM ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.

THE MYTHIC CITY OF TIMBUKTU LIES LOST IN THE DESERT, FLANKED ON ALL SIDES BY TALL WINDSWEPT DUNES. YEAR BY YEAR the narrow streets are being reclaimed by the desert.

in the south, the dogon country stretches along the length of the bandiagara escarpment. HIGH IN THE CLIFF FACE, ANCIENT TELLEM HUTS HANG PRECARIOUSLY FROM SMALL CAVES AND FISSURES.

senegal is a country of COLORS AND contrasts. beaches along the west coAST give way to tropical mangroves and deserts IN THE CENTER AND EAST OF THE COUNTRY.

in dakar I WAS SCAMMED BY A SHADY EXTORTIONIST. my luck changed a few days later when i witnessed a traditional dance of the masks near kafountine.

LIFE WAS DEFINITELY ON THE UPSWING ONE NIGHT ON THE BEACH WHEN I FOUND MYSELF DRINKING ICE COLD GAZELLES WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDLY RASTAS. THE CROOK FROM DAKAR WAS EASILY FORGOTTEN.