Travels in Africa

Fred and Donanne Hunter visited West Africa thirty years after he had been a journalist there.  Here’s the report of their return to Burkina Faso. Our trip across Mali and through Dogon country – so luxurious with its private driver and tour guide – had begun to wear on us.  That was no surprise.  After […]

Fred and Donanne Hunter returned to Africa thirty years after leaving the continent where Fred had served as a journalist and their son was born.  Donanne’s reports are in italics. Donanne and I had a vivid 30-year-old recollection of Mopti, Mali, and were curious to visit it again.  In 1970 en route to Timbuktu our […]

As if the famous mosque at Djenné were not enough, now Donanne and Fred Hunter got to see the town’s weekly market in full swing.  (Donanne reports in italics): Djenné, Monday 11/20/00  Djenné to Mopti At 7:30 a.m. in the morning coolth we walked over to the market “square” that lies before the mosque and […]

After 30 years Donanne and Fred Hunter returned to West Africa in part to see the mosque at Djenné.  Today we would see it!  (Donanne’s in italics): Djenné, Sunday 11/19/00 Ségou to Djenné Up at 6:30 and quick walk back to “port” to watch Sunday a.m. activity.  Saw sand-gathering on a nearby shoal.  Breakfasted in […]

Donanne and Fred Hunter returned to Africa starting at Bamako, Mali’s capital, then venturing to Segou.  Donanne begins this report: Bamako to Ségou  Saturday 11/18/00 Police checkpoint 20 minutes on outskirts of Bamako. Goats lying tied on top of jitney en route to capital.  Heads pop up; goats look around.   Man climbs up to rearrange […]

Donanne and Fred Hunter returned to Africa after an absence of almost 30 years. How was it?  Their report: What follows are notes from the journals we kept.  Donanne’s are in italics.  To retain the freshness of our impressions we have done as little rewriting as possible.  But the notes have been condensed for readability […]