We came up to the continent from the Mediterranean Sea. I could see ships (2 - probably miles apart) on the water and the wake they were leaving behind them - that's how clear the sky was. So as we came up to Algiers, the waters became lighter and more of a turquoise and you could see the sandy bottom as it extended out of the ocean onto land (i.e., the beach). You could see cities and towns below and roads and rivers winding their way through them. The rivers are not blue from above. They are beige. From the sand.
The terrain changed rapidly from the coastal plain to mountains. The Sahara actually starts in the mountains. There is very little vegetation. Lots of very dry land. Surprisingly, there were three large lakes in that region and rivers feeding into them but I don't know their names. The Niger River became visible and I was surprised to see how huge it was - from 11,000 feet up. I can only imagine how massive the Nile must be.
Past the mountains, heading south, the land continued to change. The mountains gave way to smaller land formations which were difficult to identify from up in the air. They looked like long ridges but may have been smaller mountain ranges. The sand began in this area. No vegetation was visible at all. Some rivers could be seen threading through the landscape and an occasional spot of blue, indicating a small lake or maybe a reservoir. And then the flat land came. And nothing but sand. This is the part of the Sahara that I was most familiar with from books and movies. Huge sand dunes. The sand was different shades of brown and tan - not all one color like I assumed it would be. One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. And it took 3 hours to cross it and reach Burkina Faso.
After Missie and Isaak and the girls picked me up, they drove me the five minutes it took to get to their home. Nothing could be more different from the States than Burkina Faso!!! Peddlers and vendors were everywhere. Street side shops were shoulder to shoulder along most every street we traveled. The colors and variety of what they sold was surprising. I have come to find out there is not a lack of STUFF in Burkina Faso.
As you can see, this vendor is selling refrigerators. All used. Of which few or none can be used by the seller or many other Burkinabe because they may not be able to afford them OR have the electricity to actually use them in their homes. and right next door we have furniture and other sundry items! See the opening/ space between the road and where the fridges are? look to the left and you'll see a little walk way crossing over it. that is a sewer. open air. everything gets thrown in it: garbage, refuse, people use it as a latrine in some parts of the city. these drainage ditches are about 1 to 3 ft. deep. An occasional small crocodile may be walking around in them. DON'T fall in them!
Some kind of vegetables. Maybe potatoes. This is a common way to sell produce. Have no idea how long the cart has been there but at least one tire is flat. the bicycle suggests the seller rides daily to this little make-shift booth to sell his/ her wares.
And here is where one would buy a bicycle! Used. for about 100.00. basket not always included. you can wheel and deal (ha! pun intended) and you might be able to get it for a few dollars less. this is a major mode of transportation.
This is one of my favorite vendors to drive by. Very colorful. They are selling mats and bags and luggage. Not sure how the three are related and it doesn't matter! You can see the satellite discs in the upper right hand corner. What a contrast! I cannot remember if that is an embassy back there or what.
A mattress vendor. and pillows. You pick out a mattress and they will get it down for you to try out. I have a picture of me sitting on one to make sure it is comfortable enough for Steve to sleep on. to the far left, you can see stacks of plastic chairs someone has for sale. the moped she is riding is THE major mode of transportation in the capital city of Ouagadougou. the cell phone she has in her left hand is illegal to talk on while driving. of course, that will not stop anyone from doing it!
One of these people is selling produce. This is a common sight. Several people sitting around a shop. One or more of them might be selling. I couldn't tell you who!! The debris on the streets is everywhere. The broken chunks of cement (middle left) are everywhere. The baskets under the tables may have been used to carry the produce in.
The rocks on top are holding the fabric in place to provide a shelter from the sun.
Of course, donkeys are frequently sharing road space with everyone else. this is in an intersection. You can't really see it but his feet are tied. his owner is somewhere close by. this way, he can't run away.
In he background is a vendor selling jeans and whatever else. Women carrying containers on their heads - sometimes loaded to overflowing - is quite common.
the sign is in French - no idea what it says. The goat is eating / munching on something in that don't-you-dare-fall-in-drainage ditch. Sooner or later, someone will be eating goat for supper.
Most of these photos were taken from the inside of Missie & Isaak's jeep, driving on our way to somewhere. More to come.
