Journey to Djenne

One of the oldest known cities in sub-Saharan Africa, Djenne has for centuries been an important trading center, with goods staging in the city for a river trip up to Timbuktu before crossing the Sahara to the ports of North Africa via camel caravans.

Now, its importance is primarily for local trade, with a bustling Monday market serving as outlet for the entire region. And the town itself, with its postcard-famous mud brick Grand Mosque de Djenne, is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Sight.

Yes, the mosque is indeed unique and impressive, but I have to admit that from my perspective, the most surreal and memorable part of the day was the remarkably cramped and uncomfortable journey there and back.