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 Essentially this day is backtracking - back to the
ferry, along the causeway and through the farm and pasture land along
the national highway, but it wasn't all a rehash. Besides the subtle
things like the time of day and lighting being different and the road
side activity slightly different, Somadougou was unrecognizable.
 When we had passed Somadougou two days early it was a no more
distinctive
 that than any other road side village. Each is slightly
different in layout, size, architecture of the mosque, but they were a
lot more the same in terms of color, texture, shape and size of the
building and sparse population.
  Even
before we reached the village we could tell something was up, but
there was a stream of people coming towards us starting five miles
before the village; pedestrians with loads, bikes, carts and small
trucks that were packed. Today Somadougou was jamming. For more than a half mile, the
center of town, along the main highways was packed with people and
vehicles and they spilled off on both sides for a couple hundred yards
in place. It was the weekly market. Good luck to any highway
traffic that wanted to get through.
 By mid-afternoon
many had already finished
their business and were heading home. The traveled by donkey carts, horseback, and some
walked. Most carried more than was normal if they had just been coming
or going from the farm. People were heading off on the tracks and
trails in all directions that lead from the main road. They were literally fanning out
to all points on the compass..
Even with the seemingly large exodus, the market was still going
strong. There was food and drink stands to nourish the crowds. The
food commodities area had grains, beans, spices, vegetables, fruit,
meat, poultry, fish and specialty items like cola nuts. There was bulk
cloth in uncountable numbers of colors and patterns. Tailors were
sewing cloths on the spot. A lot of merchants were selling used cloths
- everything from bras to blue jeans to sports jackets. If you need
something for your farm, horse, bike, car, or house you could probably
find it or a reasonable substitute. Each turn though the market brings
you to something unusual and different.
 By dusk most of the market had vanished back into the savannah,
leaving behind the dregs of spoiled fruits and vegetables, leaves,
paper and plastic packaging. Not long after sunrise even this evidence
of the bedlam the day before had been swept way. |
Addendum: The option for a quick,
hearty breakfast, at a reasonable price in Djenne is still
problematic.
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