Mali - 10 November, 2000

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Today we are to Mopti.  We have a bit of a slow start for the day as we have to go to the Nigerian embassy at 10:00 AM to pick up our passports.  And we do that with no drama - they are ready when we get there (they have been very helpful).  We then head off to Mopti.  Today is a long driving day as we have a lot of ground to cover, but it is better to cover it in one day so that we will have more time to do other things.

So there is not too much to report, other than the fact that the road was quite good, and other then the speed bumps in the towns we passed and a few police check points, we made good time.  We had lunch on the truck in order to save time.  It was our cook group and we prepared sandwiches for everyone.  It was a bit difficult with the jolting and bouncing truck (the road was not that good), but we got it done.

We made it to Sevare at 7:20 PM.  Sevare is just outside Mopti, and we will be staying here for the night.  It is a small hotel with only a small amount of space to pitch our tents, so we are crowded in close.  They prepare a chicken and chips dinner for us.  There is no electricity as there is a blackout in town, so we eat by candle light - it is actually quite nice.  The food is also very good.  We then take a very welcome shower, also by candle light.  Lars then spends the rest of the evening working on the computer updating the journal.