Mauritania trip done
Day 9
Tues 26th
Start: Nouadhibou
Mid: Somewhere in western Mauritania
End: Nouakchott
The current road from Nouadhibout to Nouakchott used to not be there. It used to be a 12-hour ride alongside the beach, starting at low tide and racing to get there before high-tide. The road we were on was partially paved, sandy at best, and no road at worst. It took eight hours.
On the way out of town of Nouadhibout we saw signs warning everyone that do not deviate too far off the road or path, as there are landmines. Pictures showed a kid, an explosions (labeled “Boum!”) and then a kid with one leg and crutches. We were 5km away from the disputed Western Sahara territory, although the city was safe enough to have three volunteers.
Our previous contact in Nouakchott was in another town but we met another volunteer he said we could stay with him for the night. We went to the market to buy fabric, before heading out to eat and back to his place.
When we entered he was as surprised as we were. “that’s odd, when I went to work this morning this place was completely furnished.” The room was bare. He was sub-renting his room from the renter who lived there and she had moved out, that day, without notice or telling anyone.
He was kind enough to find us another place while he ran around trying to figure out what happened. He now has to find a new place to stay, since his renter moved out.
The entire weeklong trip: Travel, getting ripped off, accommodations, food, camel rides, oasis overnight, and bribes was less than $150 a person.
The next morning Nate and Erika left for Guinea. From now on I’m solo...
Tues 26th
Start: Nouadhibou
Mid: Somewhere in western Mauritania
End: Nouakchott
The current road from Nouadhibout to Nouakchott used to not be there. It used to be a 12-hour ride alongside the beach, starting at low tide and racing to get there before high-tide. The road we were on was partially paved, sandy at best, and no road at worst. It took eight hours.
On the way out of town of Nouadhibout we saw signs warning everyone that do not deviate too far off the road or path, as there are landmines. Pictures showed a kid, an explosions (labeled “Boum!”) and then a kid with one leg and crutches. We were 5km away from the disputed Western Sahara territory, although the city was safe enough to have three volunteers.
Our previous contact in Nouakchott was in another town but we met another volunteer he said we could stay with him for the night. We went to the market to buy fabric, before heading out to eat and back to his place.
When we entered he was as surprised as we were. “that’s odd, when I went to work this morning this place was completely furnished.” The room was bare. He was sub-renting his room from the renter who lived there and she had moved out, that day, without notice or telling anyone.
He was kind enough to find us another place while he ran around trying to figure out what happened. He now has to find a new place to stay, since his renter moved out.
The entire weeklong trip: Travel, getting ripped off, accommodations, food, camel rides, oasis overnight, and bribes was less than $150 a person.
The next morning Nate and Erika left for Guinea. From now on I’m solo...
posted by Mike | 1:03 PM
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