Monday, November 28, 2011


As everyone now knows, the Unspeakable has happened.

For two years we have all quite rightly insisted that the travel warnings were totally exaggerated since nothing had ever happened in any Malian tourist destination. We were quite right to be indignant.

But no more.

The events I Timbuktu have changed everything. What will happen to Malian tourism?
It is still true that these events have taken place in the north of the country, in a place where the terrorists can escape into a vast and virtually uncharted land. It is unlikely that such attacks will take place anywhere but in places bordering the desert. But who knows anymore?

These monsters are ruining everything for a poor people who have been doubly hit since the harvest has all but failed.

There are still tourists here, but are they just on their way home? No one seems to be too scared however, and the sunset drinks were still had on the roof yesterday amongst laughter and cheerful travel tales.

But it is certain that the events spell trouble. What to do?

In a situation like this there is only one remedy: engage in something creative. In this case, start redecorating the bar. I had kept all bottle tops since the beginning of the hotel and these have now become a mosaic.

5 Comments:

Blogger David said...

The news item darkly muttered about one kidnapping 'south of the Niger', too - seems to be in the south-east. But it's sad that a whole country's tourism should be decimated by a small but menacing minority.

7:45 PM  
Blogger Richard Trillo said...

Sophie, hang on in there! Your hotel and Djenné people deserve better than the events of last week. Good plan to redecorate the bar - looks superb!

David, Hombori is northeast of Djenné, but worryingly it is south of the river as you say. But the Hombori kidnap victims seem to be somewhat suspicious themselves rather than simply "geologists", so let's wait and see if we get more information.

10:52 PM  
Blogger Lela B said...

Sophie,

I saw the news a few days ago and my heart sank as I immediately thought of you and your beautiful hotel. Rest assured, I'm coming back at my first opportunity...rebels/militants/hooligans be damned!!!

Lela

7:01 AM  
Blogger Susan Scheid said...

David Nice mentioned your hotel on his blog and recommended I take a look at your own. He was right. Your antidote to the troubles you face is soul-saving and enriching:

"In a situation like this there is only one remedy: engage in something creative. In this case, start redecorating the bar. I had kept all bottle tops since the beginning of the hotel and these have now become a mosaic."

And I'm pleased to see, from your newer post, that you are to have many visitors soon. The hotel looks beautiful. A real work of art.

All good wishes to you.

3:07 PM  
Blogger toubab said...

Dear Susan,
thank you for your kind message!
Writing this on a Djenné Monday when the famous Djenné market is in full swing, but with a fraction of the normal number of tourists. Sitting in the redecorated bar where I will soon be engaging in some more creative antidote: my friend Brigit and I will be stringing some new necklaces for the MaliMali shop this afternoon. I hope you pass by here one day!
Best
Sophie

11:50 AM  

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