Sunday, May 8, 2011

Waterfalls!!!

So, I just got back from a little place called Woroni where there are some gorgeous and wonderful waterfalls.  I had my first real ride in a long distance taxi, and it was splendid.  They are called Bashees, and on the way there we had 11 people in a station wagon designed to sit 7.  They had at some point removed the roof, and welded their own on so it could hold more weight on top.  On top the pile of gear was taller than the car itself.  It included, 2 chairs, 2 decent sized tables, and one motorcycle along with all our backpacks for the trip.  Four Malians sat across the front where there were only two bucket seats, so that was probably really uncomfortable.  We had 4 Americans across the first bench seat, and three in the back.  The seats were designed for two in front, 3 in middle, and 2 in back.  Luckily it was an ancient Peugot and had a "3 on the tree" set-up for shifting so the two men sitting in the middle up front did not get in the way of the driver...too much.  We had to stop a few times and put water into the radiator, I don't know how the water did not burst out when he opened the radiator cap...maybe there was just no water in it?  Anyways, it was a little over and hour drive, and then a splendid hike through some fields up to the falls.  There were three sets.  The first set is maybe 40 feet, and kind of spread out, the second is also maybe 40 feet but is one big stream, and the third is small, but really secluded and beautiful.  The second set has a nice pool for swimming in, and a ledge that is maybe 10 feet up to jump off of into the water.  We spent the night at the base of the first falls, and hiked out in the morning.  We had paid the driver to stay the night at the nearest village and pick us up at the trailhead in the morning, and he was right on time.  Coming back, we had less people in the car, but I got stuck in the very back and so was pretty cramped, and the smell of gasoline and exhaust got trapped back there a little worse.  And I believe the car was actually gasoline as opposed to diesel which is really uncommon here.  Also, the driver would turn the car off on any downhill to conserve gasoline which is a good idea, but I just thought worth mentioning.  I'll try to put pictures up... but no guarantees.  Okay, well I had a great weekend, and I'll try posting soon!

2 comments:

  1. Question, how/where do you get online?

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  2. I get online at peace corps houses whenever I visit a city with a peace corps house. Usually this is Sikasso which is the city I live outside of.

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